Maritime Attorneys
Maritime attorneys are a unique and specialized segment of attorneys that deal with accidents and damage to property and person caused on sea. Their area of expertise involves claims adjustment practices of various insurance companies, claims agents and courts where such claims are brought. An experienced maritime attorney should be able to assess the value of a case based on his prior experience in similar settlements. You can expect a reasonable settlement if your attorney represents your case efficiently. Clients of maritime lawyers range from fishermen and factory trawler workers to ferry workers, crew and passengers on cruise ships. The Jones Act is a maritime law that protects seamen in case of injury. This Act allows them to file negligence claims against their employer and collect damages from the owners of the vessels that were at fault. A maritime attorney assists in matters of shipping contracts and compliance with applicable government regulations of the shipping industry.
Maritime Law encompasses the laws governing shipping and navigation. Maritime attorneys are also known as admiralty lawyers. Some of the areas that are covered by maritime attorneys are:
- Cases involving towing freighters and other large ships to and from the docks.
- Accidents occurring on a pier or dock come within the purview of maritime law
- Cases where accidents have happened in a canal.
- Ship hijacking and on-the-job injuries at shipyards.
- The Jones Act is involved with injuries to workers while on a ship, dock and pier.
Offshore drilling accidents are another area of expertise for maritime attorneys. Drilling accidents can occur at the exploratory stage of drilling and may involve prolonged release of gas or oil into the marine environment. Regular blowout accidents occur during routine drilling and can be stopped within a few hours.
Shipping Accidents and Maritime Lawyers
Shipping accidents can include spill toxic chemicals, waste, oil and other materials into the ocean. These accidents can be the result of collision, fires, explosion or running aground. Ship building yards have a history of high accident rates.
Crew aboard ships is sometimes faced with exceedingly long hours under difficult conditions. They have the right to sue their employers and use the services of a maritime lawyer under the following conditions:
- Burns caused during accidents in the galleys and engine room
- Failure to pay wages, medical treatment for illness and cure benefits
- Physical and sexual assaults
- Sexual harassment
- Wrongful death claims
- Physical or sexual assault by crew members
- Fires and collisions at sea
- Trips and slips on account of dangerous surfaces and slippery substances
- Contaminated food and beverages leading to gastroenteritis and viral illness
Maritime law is also applicable to recreational boaters. Accidents such as capsizing, collision, flooding and sinking, fire and explosion are the accident cases that are taken up by maritime lawyers. Admiralty or maritime attorneys seek redress for injuries to person and property cause on water. You can locate a maritime attorney in your area with the help of lawyer directories or lawyer referral services.
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