Jones Act Resources

Jones Act Informational Videos

These videos break down all different aspects of the Jones Act. The videos listed below only relate to the Jones Act and Maritime Law, however, our Youtube channel has a ton of other great content on it. Check it out HERE.

1. How to Hire the Best Maritime Lawyer

When you’ve been hurt in an offshore or maritime accident, time is not on your side. More than likely, you’re putting your energy into recovering and trying to pay your bills. You may not even be sure where to turn or who to trust. That’s where we come in. VB Attorneys has a proven track record when it comes to Jones Act cases, but don't take it from us.

2. The Jones Act Explained

The Jones Act is the common name for 46 U.S.C. §688, a federal statute passed to provide relief to injured railroad workers, and by extension, “seamen.” It provides a statutory remedy for seaman injured in the course and scope of their Jones Act employment against their employer, and possibly others. In this video, Brian explains the Jones Act and all of its intricacies. To learn more about the Jones Act, check out this article by Brian Beckcom.

3. Returning to work after a Maritime Injury

If you were injured as a mariner or offshore worker, getting back to work can seem worse than your initial injuries. One of the most frequent questions we receive from mariners who have suffered nerve damage as a result of their injuries is if they’ll be able to work offshore again. The longer you wait, the less likely it is we can help you recover enough to go back to work. Also, the long you wait, the more time the company has to minimize or eliminate your claim. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

4. Do NOT cash that company check!

A question we get a lot is “The company sent me a check. Can I cash the check, or will that hurt my legal case?” Do not trust anyone at your company if they tell you it’s “okay” to cash the check. & do not trust the insurance adjuster either. Once you got hurt, you became an instant liability to your company. Company lawyers and company insurance adjusters will try to trick you into taking a secret settlement that you didn’t even know was a settlement. You absolutely must have your own independent lawyer look it over first.

5. How To Pay Your Bills After a Maritime Accident

How will you pay your bills if you’ve been hurt offshore and can no longer work? Here’s the bad news: Maritime companies use this financial pressure against you. Specifically, they use it to try to force you to just quit and give up, or come back to work before you’re ready. It’s a tactic designed specifically to help them protect their money. Here’s the good news: VB Attorneys can help. We have helped hundreds and hundreds of injured maritime workers survive in their time of need.

6. Why you can't trust Maritime Claims Adjusters

If you are hurt offshore, it's likely that you are going to be picked up at the docks by a maritime claims adjuster. Do not trust them. These are professional insurance adjusters hired by the offshore companies to handle your claim. They are trained on how to make you do things that will hurt your offshore injury claim. Now, they certainly don't tell you upfront that this is what they are paid to do. No, they tell you they are trying to "help" you and such. But this is not true. They are paid to ensure that your company pays you nothing or as little as possible.

7. How the Maritime Industry Bullies Apply Financial Pressure After an Injury

We’ve represented hundreds of clients who have been hurt on the job in the maritime industry. One of the most common questions we get from our clients is a situation where the company is still paying full salary or something close to it, while the client is hurt and not working, and the client wants to know if they hire a lawyer, will the company cut them off financially?

8. Protect yourself from getting blackballed

Top Maritime Injury Attorney Brian Beckcom explains how to assert your legal rights without being blackballed. Brian Beckcom explains the concept of getting "blackballed" or "blacklisted" in the marine industry. After an offshore injury VB Attorneys will always stand behind our clients and protect them from being Blacklisted by enforcing employment security in the settlement agreement. Assert your legal rights after a Maritime Injury without the fear of being blackballed.

9. How long will you get Maintenance Payments after a Maritime Injury?

After a Maritime Injury, your Off-Shore company must pay you maintenance until you reach "Maximum Medical Improvement", or "MMI" for short. The company will commonly encourage you to see only company doctors. Of course, the company doctors put you at MMI sooner than you are, so the company can stop paying you your maintenance payments. Due to this, you should go see an independent doctor, and let them examine you and look at your records, and tell you their opinion on whether you are at MMI yet.

10. Maritime & Offshore Company Tricks Revealed

Brian Beckcom reveals common Maritime & Off-Shore company tricks after you've been injured on the job in the marine industry and why you should be extremely careful about trusting your employer after an injury. Brian Beckcom also spends time talking about how to find out which set of laws cover your legal claim, and whether it's the Jones Act, state law, or another law.