Skip to main content Why Should I Contact Maritime Lawyers in Big Pine Key, Florida?
30338 Overseas Highway, Unit 7Big Pine Key, FL 33043
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Maritime Lawyers in Big Pine Key, FL
If you have suffered a nautical-related injury due to the negligence or unlawful behavior of another party, contacting an attorney who is experienced in maritime law can be extremely helpful for filing a claim and getting the compensation you deserve.
Maritime law can be complicated—it will be much easier to be guided through the legal process with the assistance of an experienced maritime lawyer in Big Pine Key, FL. Most people don’t know how to respond or what steps to take when there is an injury at sea, which is why it is vital to be advised by an expert on the matter.
Some of the most common issues associated with maritime practice include:
- Wrongful death and personal injury litigation
- Responding to litigating and investigating casualties under maritime law
- Preparing, investigating, and litigating intermodal and sea cargo claims
- Exploring marine insurance coverage issues
- Assisting and advising related to FMC licensing
- Litigating and preparing legal claims associated with ship repair
- Negotiating and drafting charter parties, terminal agreements and concession agreements
- Responding to any shipboard casualties or injuries and litigating resulting claims
- Advising in terms of compliance with treaties, trade agreements, and international laws
- Providing representation before administrative bodies and regulatory agencies
- Advising and helping vessel owners with flag state regulatory agency compliance
Any of these issues could be a reason to reach out to Big Pine Key, FL maritime lawyers. Florida maritime lawyers handle a broad range of different cases and are there to help you know what to expect and how best to proceed moving forward.
Statistically, the most common reason to contact a Big Pine Key, Florida maritime lawyer is because you or someone you know has been seriously injured as a result of a boating accident. Depending on the location of this boating accident, maritime law may apply.
Get answers to commonly asked questions about our legal services and learn how we may assist you with your case.
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What Are Maritime Laws?
Admiralty and maritime laws are laws that govern any accidents happening in navigable waters. “Navigable waters” refers to any waterway that has indirect or direct access to the ocean. This can include injuries onboard dive boats, ferries, yachts, cruise ships, barges, tugs, oil rigs, and fishing boats.
People who have been seriously injured in a maritime accident caused by someone else's negligence may be entitled to compensation for lost earning capacity, lost income, medical expenses, pain and suffering, disfigurement, scarring, physical impairment or disability, and mental anguish. These are recoverable both in terms of those expenses that have already been incurred by the victim as well as those the victim is likely to incur in the future. It is extremely important for anyone in this position to take the next step of retaining experienced Big Pine Key, Florida maritime lawyers.
Understanding the Jones Act
Any seamen who work on a vessel have a right to “maintenance and cure,” which is meant to provide benefits to cover shelter and food that an injured seaman would have received on that vessel if the injury had not occurred. Furthermore, these seamen who are injured on a vessel are also entitled to appropriate rehabilitation and medical care services to bring the seamen's condition to maximum medical improvement.
The Jones Act also enables the seaman to recover compensation beyond maintenance and cure. This federal law is designed to protect people who work on offshore oil rigs, ships, and other seagoing vessels. It is very important to work with an attorney who is highly familiar with the Jones Act because it requires that a victim show proof that the employer was negligent and therefore at fault for the injury in question. Furthermore, if the vessel was unseaworthy and thus caused the original injury, the shipowner can be held liable.
If you believe you have grounds for a lawsuit handled by Big Pine Key, FL maritime lawyers, you only have a limited period of time in which to pursue your suit. You have a maximum three-year statute of limitations in Florida, and it is strongly recommended that you contact an attorney much sooner than that to discuss the specifics of your case. Your lawyer can help you navigate complex legal cases and give you further information about how best to proceed. Having the right lawyer to guide you through this process is very beneficial so that you can move forward with your life with peace of mind.
No one should have to suffer injuries on a seagoing vessel, but unfortunately, such accidents affect individuals as well as employees all too often. If this happens to you, you need to be prepared to consult with Big Pine Key maritime lawyers immediately to protect your legal rights to recovery.
What to Look for in a Lawyer
Some people may assume that a maritime injury lawsuit is very similar to personal injury law. The truth is that these kinds of lawsuits can be very complex, making it all the more important to retain a maritime injury lawyer who has practiced in this field for many years. Some personal injury attorneys might have limited experience with maritime injury lawsuits, but someone who has extensive experience in this field of the law will have the necessary resources, network, and strategy to develop a compelling legal claim for the person who has been harmed.
Given that a person who works on the open seas or in other waterways may rely on physical labor and their ability to carry it out in order to stay employed, it can have significant repercussions for someone to be seriously injured, such as losing their ability to earn income. Filing a maritime injury lawsuit may be the only way for that party to recover compensation for their injuries and to be able to remain focused on their medical care.
When you are looking for an attorney, make sure you find someone who has handled previous cases involving the maritime injury laws mentioned above. You can also ask about past case results and the typical timelines associated with those results. In addition to experience in this specific field of the law, it is also important to connect with someone who fits your personality. Since you will be involved with this person for potentially many months or even years, you want someone who can clearly provide you with updates about your case and who is committed to doing everything possible for the best possible outcome for you.
Do extensive research in order to feel confident about the attorneys you contact for scheduling an initial consultation. You can learn a lot about many different law firms that have a practice in maritime injury law by reading through their testimonials and previous case results. You can also look at online reviews to see the experiences of other maritime injury victims.
The initial consultation is your opportunity for the lawyer to review the specifics of your case and answer some basic questions about what might be next. Attorneys who have been working in the field for some time will know the necessary elements to make a compelling claim in court, and we'll review your records and any other evidence to help you understand some of the key legal issues at play. These lawyers work hard on behalf of injured victims to fight for maximum compensation to allow that victim to heal as much as possible. Many maritime injuries are serious and can have lifelong consequences, making it all the more important to retain someone who is dedicated to doing everything they can on your behalf.
Before you attend an initial consultation with attorneys, be certain about what you hope to walk out of the meeting with. You might simply want confirmation that your choice of a law firm is right, and you can use the information you learn during the meeting to make this determination. You may also have specific questions about the validity of your case. Be organized and bring any necessary records or an overview of your case to the lawyer's office. This will help the attorney review the pertinent information in your case and to give you further details about what is involved next. You are not obligated to hire an attorney at this initial consultation, but your lawyer may present you with details about the next steps for hiring them if and when you decide to do so.
If you have suffered unnecessarily in relation to maritime laws, you can take your first steps toward justice with the nation’s largest law firm, Morgan & Morgan. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation, where you can learn more about your options to move forward with your case and, most importantly, move forward with your life.
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