Florida Maritime Injury Lawyers Near You

Florida Maritime Injury Lawyer

If you have been involved in a maritime accident, you need a Florida maritime injury lawyer who understands the complex laws that govern accidents on the water. Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a specialized area of law that applies to incidents occurring on the sea, lakes, and rivers. Whether it’s a boating accident, cruise ship injury, or an airboat mishap, maritime law has its unique set of rules and regulations, and having the right lawyer by your side is essential.

Maritime law refers to the body of laws that govern activities on navigable waters. This can include a range of situations, from boating accidents to injuries on cruise ships, airboats, jet skis, or even at docks and piers. If you’re injured while on the water, whether you’re a passenger, crew member, or someone enjoying a recreational activity, maritime law will apply. For injured maritime workers, a Jones Act attorney can help you pursue compensation under federal law.

Common Maritime Incidents:

• Boating Accidents – Collisions between vessels, capsizing, or damage caused by operator negligence.
• Cruise Ship Injuries – Accidents that occur on board cruise ships or while embarking or disembarking.
• Airboat and Jet Ski Accidents – Injuries occurring during recreational water activities, including injuries sustained from ejected passengers. Airboats are common in the Everglades.
• Port and Dock Accidents – Injuries that happen on piers, docks, or during boarding.
• Workplace Injuries at Sea – Accidents involving maritime workers, such as those on oil rigs or working on boats, which are governed under the Jones Act.

One of the biggest challenges in maritime injury cases is understanding how maritime law differs from land-based personal injury law. While both types of law involve injury claims, there are several distinctions you need to know:

1. Jurisdiction and Legal Authority: Maritime law is governed by federal law and applies on navigable waters, while personal injury law on land falls under state law.
2. Statutes of Limitations: Maritime injury claims have shorter time limits to file compared to other personal injury cases. For general maritime law, you typically have three years to file, but in Florida, that period is reduced to two years. For ticketed passengers, the deadline may be as short as one year, and some contracts may require you to report the incident within six months.
3. Liability Rules: Maritime cases often involve complex liability rules, especially when multiple parties are involved, such as boat operators, cruise lines, or even dockworkers.

Maritime accidents can result in a wide variety of injuries, from minor to severe. Here are some of the most common types of injuries that we see in maritime law cases:

• Concussions and Fractures – Often caused by falls on decks, gangways, or from being ejected from a boat.
• Drowning – One of the most tragic outcomes in maritime accidents.
• Orthopedic Injuries – Broken bones, sprains, and strains, especially when passengers fall or are thrown from vessels.
• Neurological Injuries – These injuries can result from head trauma or the violent impact of an accident.
• Facial Injuries – Ejected passengers, especially children, may suffer cuts and scarring.

If you are injured in a maritime accident, knowing the proper steps to take can make all the difference in your case:

1. Report the Incident: Notify the appropriate authorities, like the Coast Guard, and file a report. For boat-on-boat accidents, this is especially important.
2. Gather Evidence: Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, and any visible property damage. If possible, collect the contact details of the other parties involved and any witnesses.
3. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, getting a medical evaluation is critical. Some injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, may not show immediate symptoms.
4. Contact a Maritime Injury Lawyer: The sooner you involve an attorney, the better. Maritime evidence can disappear quickly, especially if the vessels involved are mobile and leave port soon after the accident. This is where specialized attorneys like cruise ship accident lawyers can provide the guidance you need.

One unique aspect of maritime law is the question of jurisdiction. Depending on where the accident took place, your case could be handled under federal or state laws. For example, if your accident occurred on a cruise ship or a vessel traveling through federal waters, the case may be governed by federal maritime law.

In addition, some contracts signed before boarding a vessel, like cruise tickets or waivers, may specify the legal jurisdiction where a claim must be filed. This could mean that your case could be handled in a specific Florida city or even in a different state.

In any personal injury case, evidence is key. But in maritime law, where the scene of the accident can quickly change as vessels move between ports, timely evidence collection is critical. Maritime injury lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation, including:

• Photographs and Videos: Capturing damage, injuries, and the accident scene.
• Witness Testimonies: Gathering statements from anyone who witnessed the accident.
• Surveillance Footage: In some cases, surveillance cameras may have recorded footage that could be valuable.
• Insurance Information: Especially in boat-to-boat accidents, ensuring the responsible party has insurance coverage is important.

An admiralty personal injury lawyer plays a crucial role in navigating the complexities of maritime law. Whether you’re dealing with a boat collision or an injury sustained on a cruise ship, one of our admiralty lawyers will:

• Investigate the Incident: We’ll look into the details of the accident, including talking to witnesses, reviewing contracts, and securing vital evidence.
• Determine Liability: We’ll work to identify who is at fault, whether it’s a negligent boat operator, the cruise line, or even a dock owner.
• Assist with Claims: We will help you pursue compensation for economic damages (like medical bills and lost wages) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering).
• Represent You in Court: If a fair settlement can’t be reached, we are prepared to take your case to trial.

Case Example 1: $100,000 Florida Maritime Injury Settlement

The client and his girlfriend were in a 25-foot Cabin Cruiser. They were coming into the channel where the client’s slip was located. As they motored into the channel running at about half throttle, another boat, which was running at twice their speed, impacted the stern of the client’s boat. The client’s girlfriend was thrown to the front of the boat. She was transported to the hospital from the scene.

Both the client and his girlfriend suffered from neck and back pain and headaches. Demand was made for the negligent boater’s insurance coverage. The negligent boater carried $50,000 in insurance coverage per claimant and $100,000 per accident. The policy was tendered shortly after the demand was made.

Case Example 2: $65,000 Maritime Accident Settlement in Florida

Our client was injured while on a chartered fishing boat when the seat he was sitting on ripped out from the deck, causing him to fall and strike the back of the boat. He sustained injuries to his neck, back, and left leg, requiring ambulance transport to the hospital, physical therapy, and orthopedic follow-up care.

After filing a lawsuit against the boat’s owners and taking depositions, the case ultimately settled for $65,000, following an initial offer of just $20,000.

Case Example 3: $62,5000 Maritime Accident Settlement in Florida

Another case involved a client who tripped over an electrical cord left in a hallway by an employee, leading to knee injuries that required therapy. The insurance company’s initial offer of $7,500 rose significantly after we pushed for accountability, ultimately settling for $62,500. Cases like this underscore the responsibility cruise lines have to ensure hallways are safe and free from hazards.

$3,500,000 / Maritime / Wrongful Death in Hillsborough County

$875,000 / Maritime Law / Neck, Back, Left Leg / Monroe County, FL

48-year-old male was injured when he slipped and fell while walking on a vessel. The fall caused him to have pain in his lower back and neck as well as a loss of feeling in his left leg.

$780,000 / Maritime / Boating Accident / Pinellas County

Client slipped and fell on the gangway leading to a boat.

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we handle maritime injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to worry about paying upfront legal fees. We only get paid if we win your case or settle it for you.

If you’ve been injured in a maritime accident, you should contact a Florida maritime injury lawyer as soon as possible. Maritime cases are often subject to unique rules and time limits, so acting quickly is vital to protecting your legal rights.

Call Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you with your maritime injury claim. Whether it’s an accident on a boat, a cruise ship injury, or something more specific, you deserve an experienced lawyer who knows maritime law inside and out, including a knowledgeable boat accident lawyer to fight for your rights.