A former Marine’s repeated knee injuries ended his tankerman career

This edited transcript follows the firm’s written testimonial transcript. Some remarks and repetitions have been condensed for readability.

Brian Beckcom: Tim, you came in to get your settlement check today, and one of the things that I like to do at the end of these cases is just to ask clients whether they have any advice or input for other people that might be going through the same situation.

Tim M.: My advice is know that, from what I’ve learned, you’re not going through it alone. Hopefully you have a good support system, family that can hold you up, and know that it’s not your fault and accidents happen. But when it’s someone else’s fault and it could have been prevented, know that you need to stay on your own two feet and fight back or do what’s right. Don’t be afraid, and just know that if you’re looking for anybody to take your hand and take your case, VB is the way to go.

Tim M.: Because I’ll be honest with you, they went above and beyond my expectations. I didn’t know what to expect, but the outcome was speedy and outstanding. I’m glad I took the leap because I was really judging where to go from here, and I’m glad that I came and talked to you and Lina and Patti. Again, if anyone is going through what I went through, I hope that’s not the case because this is a bad situation, but it’ll get better, and with y’all’s help it most definitely got a lot better.

Brian Beckcom: That’s really nicely said and I appreciate that. For people that don’t know who you are, you were in the United States Marine Corps?

Tim M.: I was.

Brian Beckcom: And you served in combat duty?

Tim M.: That’s correct.

Brian Beckcom: So what advice would you have for people that are nervous about pursuing their legal rights?

Tim M.: They’re going to have to muscle through it. It was scary not knowing where the road was going to end and how I was going to provide for my family. You’re going to have to buckle down and know that this is your right. It’s your right to be represented and to find justice for whatever happened to you. Know that it does get better, but you have to make those certain steps. Y’all made it very easy and answered a lot of my questions, but it was scary wondering where to go from here.

Tim M.: I got hurt and I’m not able to continue in the tankerman field, so I’m having to relearn another trade, and that in itself is scary. But it’s whatever it takes to provide for my family.

Brian Beckcom: The insurance companies and a lot of these corporations try to make people feel guilty about enforcing their rights.

Tim M.: I got better plans for this money because this is my future. This is the money that I was hoping to make over years working in a field that I loved. I don’t have that opportunity now, so this money is to better my family’s life and get us out of the ruts that this company put me in. They make you feel like you’re the bad person, and you’re not. I was able to find my feet and stand up for myself. Anyone going through the same stuff should know that you’ve got to find your feet.

Tim M.: Stand your ground and know that you’re not wrong and what happened to you is not right. It could have been prevented, and that’s your constitutional right to fight for your freedom and gain some kind of normalcy. That’s what I want. I want normalcy.

Brian Beckcom: Well, thanks for your service to our country. Thanks for hiring us, and seriously, keep in touch.

Tim M.: Yes sir. Thank you.