If you are injured in a marine accident caused by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, you should seek the counsel of a lawyer with expertise in maritime law before filing a lawsuit or claim.
Understanding your legal options under maritime law could be challenging; thus, having a seasoned maritime lawyer on your side can make the process much more manageable. Below are reasons why you need a maritime law attorney and how they can help in your case.
Snorkeling And Scuba Diving Accidents
Excursions that involve snorkeling and scuba diving are among the most popular forms of recreation along the coast of Florida. Unfortunately, accidents while snorkeling or scuba diving frequently result in serious injuries, and sometimes they could even result in fatalities.
Most of these occurrences are caused by faulty maintenance of the gear, a lack of expertise or supervision from a qualified professional, and sometimes poor decision-making.
The law imposes a significant duty on dive firms by requiring them to demonstrate that they weren't negligent in complying with regular policies, protocols, and guidelines or that a breach of safety laws did not cause the accident.
Suppose you or your loved one was hurt during an accident while snorkeling or scuba diving. A marine lawyer could help you get compensation for your injuries. Compensation could include accidents involving:
If you or your loved one was hurt during an accident while snorkeling or scuba diving, a marine lawyer could help you get compensation for your injuries. Compensation could include accidents involving:
- Hazardous water conditions
- Out-of-Air Emergency cases
- Poor supervision
- Faulty or inadequately maintained gear
- Insufficient training
- Negligence on the part of the diver operator
- Using decompression tables incorrectly
- A diver or snorkeler struck by a vessel
- "Dive buddy" carelessness
Anyone injured in these accidents could be eligible to receive financial compensation for any medical expenses, as well as for lost wages, future medical costs, and suffering and pain.
Accidents Involving Jet Skis or Other Personal Watercrafts
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that Florida has the most registered boats among all states and has the highest rate of boating fatalities and accidents.
While Florida has the most licensed boats, it is optional for someone over 21 to take a boating course to acquire the most elementary laws and regulations for proper boating practices.
Additionally, Florida doesn't mandate that firms renting out jet skis or personal watercraft educate their clients, who must be above 21, on boating safety, hazardous sea conditions, maritime laws, safe speeds for different parts of the waters, and what to do during an emergency.
Most jet ski and personal watercraft rental businesses need more instructions before permitting their clients to use the gears. Many boating accidents result from vessels colliding with objects in the water or other boats, which can cause serious bodily harm or even death.
A maritime attorney can assist you or a loved one in obtaining compensation for injuries sustained in PWC or jet ski incidents that involve:
- Groundings
- Negligent operation
- Collisions
- Speeding
- Alcohol & Drugs
- Negligent Entrustment & Supervision
Sexual Assaults Occurring Aboard Cruise Lines
Rape and sexual assault are not uncommon occurrences on cruise ships, either by staff members or other guests. What is supposed to be a pleasant and fun vacation could quickly turn into something traumatic on all levels—emotionally, physiologically, and physically.
Those sexually assaulted while on a cruise line can engage the civil court to make those responsible for failing to avoid the assault accountable for their actions. Cruise lines are responsible for safeguarding their customers from any malicious actions by crew members.
Cruise lines are fully accountable for assaults, regardless of whether they had a chance to stop them or knew of a crew member's violent tendencies.
A marine attorney can assist you in filing a claim against the cruise company to recover damages for your injuries, pain, and suffering, among other losses.
Injuries Sustained by Passengers on Ferries, Tour Boats, and Charter Boats
Ferry, tour, and charter boat passengers often sustain injuries due to many factors, such as:
- Negligence on the part of the ship's crew or operator
- Food poisoning, which results from eating contaminated food
- Raised thresholds, uneven decks, or objects that could cause a person to fall
- Decks that are too slick or wet, resulting in slip-and-fall accidents
- Injuries caused by intoxicated passengers, crewmembers, or guests
- Injuries to limbs, fractured or broken bones caused by adverse weather
- Disappearances and men overboard
- Unsafe boating practices that cause serious injuries, fatalities, or traumatic brain injuries
Whether you or a member of your family has sustained a severe injury while riding as a guest or passenger on a tour boat, charter vessel, or ferry, you could be entitled to compensation for any related medical expenses, lost wages for the past and future, as well as suffering and pain.
Guest Injury on Yachts, Boats, and Other Watercraft
Many individuals mistakenly think that once they get on a boat, yacht, or any other piece of watercraft, they automatically accept any and every risk related to recreational boating. If you were hurt aboard a boat, yacht, or any other watercraft and were either a guest or employee, your paths to recovery could differ.
Injured individuals would have the right to a rebuttable presumption of liability against the offender if their damages were prompted due to a breach of maritime law.
Common scenarios in which the boat operator can be held liable for injuries due to negligence include:
- Collisions with stationary objects or other vessels
- Injuries caused by propellers
- Cases of men overboard brought on by faulty or negligent handling
- Slamming into a large wave at a hazardous angle or speed
- Injuries brought on by deliberately navigating during bad weather
- Disregard for or irreverence for maritime laws and regulations
- Failing to adhere to the necessary safety precautions while a passenger is tubing
- Overcrowding the watercraft
- Operating at an unnecessarily high speed
- Faulty boat design, repair, or construction
Benefits of Consulting a Maritime Attorney
Maritime laws are the regulations that apply to the accidents that occur within navigable waters, and maritime lawyers are conversant with the intricacies of maritime law. The term "navigable waters" describes any body of water that connects to the ocean directly or indirectly.
A maritime lawyer could help you navigate Florida maritime laws with ease. The following are some benefits of hiring a maritime lawyer:
Knowledge of Maritime Law
Maritime law is complex, even when compared to other legal fields. You may find it challenging to cope with your position if this is the first time you've dealt with legal matters of this nature.
However, you can hire a maritime attorney with experience with cases like yours, as they have likely dealt with similar issues dozens or hundreds of times. They will have the knowledge and tools to implement the methods that will bring about the desired results.
A professional maritime attorney knows the evidence required to make your case appealing. Since maritime tragedies often occur far from other eyewitnesses and usually the evidence gets lost to the waters, collecting evidence in these circumstances could be challenging.
Learning the ins and outs of maritime law to the point where you feel comfortable handling a case can take a long time. If you have a maritime lawyer, you can rest assured that they will know how to handle the complexities of the law.
They could already have contacts with magistrates and other members of the judicial system. Due to their numerous connections, they will be able to provide credibility to your case.
Clarification and Communication
To suggest that maritime law can be a bit complicated would be an understatement. Due to the number of factors at play, it is easy to lose your bearings in maritime issues, even if you have a level head.
A lawyer can be of assistance in such a situation. One thing you should look for in an attorney is that they are good at communicating. They should be capable of breaking down all of the complex legal jargon into simple terms.
You shouldn't be in a position where you can't understand the intricacies of your case, no matter how complex it develops.
There is nothing more frustrating than being caught in the middle of a situation you just can't seem to figure out. A lawyer will keep you updated at every stage of the process so that you can make sound decisions.
They'll Fight for Compensation
Your attorney will work tirelessly to get you the money you rightfully deserve, no matter the circumstances. The complexity of maritime law frequently results in heated power struggles during legal proceedings. Your marine attorney will serve as an aggressive advocate who will use the facts of your case to pursue the maximum possible settlement on your behalf.
A maritime lawyer can assess your case's value in ways you cannot do on your own. Individuals who sustain injuries on the high seas sometimes need help to fully grasp the worth of their case, resulting in them receiving significantly less compensation than they are entitled to.
Many people who try to handle their issues have yet to learn how to value the more qualitative aspects of the situation. Since things like pain and suffering are not easy to quantify, the average person could be at a loss to determine how much they should be compensated for their injuries.
This makes them vulnerable to lowball bids from the other side of the insurance provider. An attorney will ensure that this does not occur. They will ensure you don't have to worry about the long-term effects of this incident on your finances by providing you with financial security.
Numerous Resources Available
In the course of defending individuals in boating accidents, maritime injury attorneys collaborate with a variety of other professionals. Their extensive networks of professionals in the fields of engineering, medicine, and other fields can be very helpful in proving your case.
Outstanding Witnesses
They can appear as excellent witnesses before a judge due to their degree of experience in maritime law and their level of credibility in the maritime sector, in addition to favorably representing you in court.
Availability
Calling a lawyer and getting no response is the most unpleasant situation for any individual. It's unacceptable to have issues and not have them addressed. Defendants should have access to their legal counsel. The lawyer has to spend some time away from the office and can only be expected to respond to some calls personally. However, a lawyer must be able to respond to clients in a timely and reliable manner.
Can an Attorney Help You Get the Most Compensation Out of Your Maritime Accident Claim?
There can be no question about this, especially if you've chosen an attorney who is aggressive, competent, and skilled in negotiations. A maritime attorney will factor in a number of factors when calculating your losses. They would first assess the full amount of the injuries sustained, taking into account the physical harm and emotional distress, diminished ability to work, and other factors.
A marine injury attorney is also knowledgeable about the specific laws, such as causation rules and the Limitation of Liability Act, that will impact the total amount of your claims. If you operate at sea, you could have the right to file a lawsuit against your employer for negligence or unsafe workplace conditions that could have contributed to the incident that resulted in your injuries.
What Distinguishes a Personal Injury Attorney from a Maritime Injury Attorney?
If you have been injured in a boat accident and want to seek compensation, you will require the assistance of a maritime attorney. While any attorney can technically take your case, it's in your best interest to find the most qualified one possible.
In this situation, it should be a professional maritime accident attorney. A personal injury attorney could also be of assistance because they're experienced in assisting individuals with accident claims.
However, maritime law has several intricacies that only a qualified maritime lawyer can help your case. A maritime attorney will help you file your claim in court if you are a victim of a boating accident.
Find a Maritime Lawyer Near Me
If you've been injured in an accident at sea, the Jacksonville Personal Injury Attorney can help you take the first step toward getting justice and getting the compensation you deserve. You can learn more by contacting us for a free, non-obligation consultation. Call us today at 904-800-7557.
