Did you know there are some lawyers that specialize in maritime law and injuries at sea?
While it’s true that the open seas are much less populated than land, accidents, injuries, and deaths still occur. In fact, over 3,100 casualties and incidents occurred in 2019 alone.
What if you find yourself in the middle of an incident at sea? How do you know when to hire a lawyer that specializes in maritime law?
Here are some things to consider before you hire a maritime attorney for your case.
What Does Maritime Law Include?
Does maritime law automatically cover any accident or injury that happens on the water? Not necessarily.
For example, what if you’re injured while swimming at the beach? This is unlikely to fall under the umbrella of maritime law. However, if you were injured by a passing boat while swimming, that’s a whole different story.
This is a simple (and fairly rare) example of how maritime law works. In general, it’s a set of laws designed to protect offshore workers in the event of injury or death. By extension, many of these laws apply to anyone on the open water, including cruise ship passengers.
The three main laws that apply to maritime cases include:
- The Jones Act: covers worker injury due to negligence or workplace hazards
- The Death on High Seas Act: compensates family members of a worker who dies at sea
- Longshore Claims: protects maritime workers whose work is based on land (not at sea)
If any of these examples apply to you, you should schedule a consultation with a maritime attorney to discuss the details.
Common Maritime Injuries
The high seas are naturally full of hazards. Oil rigs, natural gas platforms, and cargo vessels are inherently dangerous places where accidents can and do occur.
With that said, employers have the responsibility to make the environment as safe as possible for their workers.
So, then, what are some specific circumstances when you might need a maritime lawyer? Here are the most common types of maritime injury cases:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Collisions with other vessels or docks
- Injury from falling objects
- Smoke inhalation
- Chemical burns
- Fires and explosions
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Defective or damaged equipment
- Electrocution
- Lack of proper safety gear
- Lack of proper training for the job
As you can imagine, these incidents can result in a wide array of injuries. This might include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, brain damage, burns, and hearing loss. Some workers also experience partial or total disability as a result of their injuries.
Find a Maritime Attorney Near You
Maritime law is one of the most complex jurisdictions, legally speaking. Just because you’ve been injured at sea doesn’t necessarily mean you need a maritime lawyer.
However, if any of the points discussed above apply to you, you should search “maritime attorney near me” and speak with a legal expert. They can advise you on how to best proceed with your case.
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