Navigating the waters during a boating trip can be adventurous and exciting, but navigating the waters of a boating injury or accident can be stressful and intimidating. When do you need a maritime attorney throughout this process? Irwin Law Firm in Miami can help you sort out the details, determine what happened, and hold the person(s) accountable for their actions, getting you the justice you deserve, whether on land or sea.
First Things First
A maritime attorney may deal with many different occurrences on water, including shipping or trade disputes, employment disputes on ships and accidents or injuries while at sea. More likely than not, you will be dealing with an injury or incident aboard a ship, and thus will need legal advice on the appropriate next steps. Even on lakes and rivers, maritime law may apply since you are boating on “navigable waters”. Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a body of conventions, treaties, and laws that govern private maritime business and other nautical matters, such as shipping or offenses occurring on open water. When it involves international waters and governing the use of the seas or oceans, that’s what is known as the Law of the Sea. These cases under maritime law will be handled and governed differently instead of the specific state laws when you are in an accident on land. You will want to seek a maritime attorney for these types of cases, as they are often required to have additional training and certification in order to have this title, and will be able to better serve you and your individual boating incident properly and professionally.
When Do You Need A Maritime Attorney?
The most obvious time you may want to seek legal aid is in the case of a boat crash. Crashes between two boats or an accident caused by crashing into a dock, pier, or rocks, can leave you and the other boat members with serious injuries. Since there are no brakes on boats, the speed in which you crash can make a serious impact on the aftermath of you and the other passengers, whether you were on board a party boat, ferry, yacht, or speed boat, it’s important to know the best way to handle any medical bills that may arise from the incident. Cruise ship accidents can happen as well, leaving you with potential injuries. Common injuries on cruise ships include slips and falls, or other accidental injuries that were not properly identified to you as a guest; depending on the parties taking you out into excursions, any injuries you face while off the boat may be liable under the cruise ship as well. There are also instances of food poisoning or over-serving while onboard a cruise ship that can have negative consequences on your health, and thus a maritime attorney may be able to assist you through this process.
Don’t Wait!
You may think that the initial injury wasn’t that bad, or that you won’t be able to seek compensation if it was on a cruise ship, but don’t wait to speak with an attorney who knows maritime law. If you do decide to seek damages on your own, you may be way over your head, especially when dealing with big company’s top notch lawyers. Maritime law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file your claims, so don’t wait until the last minute to find the right legal aid for you.
Contact Us
When do you need a maritime attorney? Right now! Call the offices of Irwin Law Firm to get the compensation you deserve. With over two decades of experience in the local Miami marine industry, we will handle your case quickly and efficiently. Call us today!