Admiralty and maritime law is a distinct legal field dealing with cases that occur on navigable waters. Typically, state courts handle incidents within their borders. However, for injuries on cruise ships or during maritime employment, the location isn’t within any state’s boundaries. Such cases are often under federal court jurisdiction, though they may sometimes be addressed in state courts, depending on the specific legal matters involved.
Maritime and admiralty law address accidents, injuries, crimes, and contractual issues occurring on open waters, such as oceans, seas, coastal waters, and some lakes and rivers. These laws define legal rights and remedies for incidents in state or international waters, a distinctive legal area that may be complex for many lawyers.
Encompassing federal, international, and common law aspects, maritime law involves a range of issues related to the ocean and water activities. This includes cruise ship accidents, marine-related injuries, boating accidents, scuba diving incidents, salvaging shipwrecks, and addressing piracy. Lopez Fernandez has a track record of representing personal injury clients nationwide in various lawsuits against major cruise lines and other maritime employers.
The assignment of responsibility for injuries on water depends on the location and nature of the incident. For example, a ship owner might be liable if a vessel is unseaworthy or if a crew member suffers injury while working. Cruise ship owners or operators could also face liability for negligence or intentional criminal acts, like assault.
Our Florida maritime accident lawyers are adept in managing a range of sea incidents, including injuries or deaths of crew members, passenger injuries, cruise ship crimes, passenger sexual assaults, offshore accidents, and serious personal injury claims.
U.S. courts have jurisdiction over personal injury cases under maritime law, even if incidents occur in international or foreign waters. Admiralty law, however, is distinctly different from state personal injury laws, requiring specialized understanding for effective case management.
Individuals intending to sue a ship owner or cruise line must be aware of specific time constraints, known as statutes of limitations. While maritime law typically allows three years for personal injury cases, some cruise lines may have contracts that shorten these deadlines to as little as one year. Crew member injury claims also vary depending on crew agreements and other factors.
Considering these intricacies, it’s crucial to consult with a well-informed maritime accident lawyer in Florida promptly after an injury at sea. Missing deadlines can lead to being barred from filing a personal injury claim, risking the loss of compensation for the injury.
Lopez Fernandez provides free initial consultations, offering a chance to discuss your case with seasoned Florida maritime accident attorneys. For further assistance, feel free to contact our office.