Case Results · Maritime Injury Law

An offshore deckhand’s back injury ended the career he loved

RecoveryConfidential Settlement

Elvern J. built a career working offshore and hoped to become a mate. Back injuries from repeated lifting ended those plans. Brian Beckcom investigated the working conditions with an offshore ergonomics engineer and obtained a confidential settlement.

Elvern J. and Tiffany seated together at an office table.
Elvern J. with Tiffany.

Case at a glance

  1. Recovery: Confidential Settlement
  2. Practice: Maritime Injury Law
  3. Representation: Brian Beckcom and VB Attorneys.

A career on the water

Elvern had served in the Louisiana National Guard and worked in the oil and gas and maritime industries. He enjoyed tugboats and wanted to advance his offshore career.

An injury that developed over time

His back injury developed through repeated lifting. His medical problems included a lumbar disc protrusion and a bulging disc.

Brian’s case challenged outdated safety procedures, including back belts and lifting techniques that increased the risk of injury.

An engineer examined the working conditions

Brian hired an offshore engineer with expertise in ergonomics, the way work affects the body. Their investigation examined the tugboat’s working environment and the company’s safety policies.

A confidential settlement and a different future

Brian obtained a confidential settlement after Elvern’s injuries ended his offshore career. At the time, Elvern faced the possibility of future back surgery and the need to pursue different work.

Questions about the case

The case concerned a back injury that developed through repeated lifting.
He hired an offshore ergonomics engineer to examine the working conditions and safety policies.
Elvern’s Jones Act case ended in a confidential settlement.

Related legal help

An injury aboard a vessel can affect your work, treatment and family. Talk with Brian Beckcom and VB Attorneys about what happened. Call 877-724-7800 for a free consultation.

Every case is different. Prior results depend on the facts of the individual case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Tell us what happened

If something like this happened to you or someone in your family, that is exactly the conversation to have. The first one is free, and you will get a straight answer.

Call our office directly for a free and confidential case review.

(877) 724-7800

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No fees unless we win. Confidential evaluation.