What Does a Maritime and/or Admiralty Attorney Do?
A maritime and/or admiralty attorney can help recover compensation for injuries that occur at sea. There are several types of accidents that can cause maritime injuries. For example, people may be hurt because of cruise ship accidents, boating accidents, and accidents that occur on oil rigs.
The process for recovering payment in a maritime accident lawsuit can vary depending on several factors. Fortunately, our attorneys can assess your case and help determine the appropriate path to compensation.
If you were injured because of a maritime accident, get help evaluating the legal options available to you. Reach out to our experienced maritime accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369. Our attorneys can review your case for free.
Types of Cases Our Maritime and/or Admiralty Attorneys Can Handle
There are several potential sources of maritime injuries. Fortunately, our maritime accident lawyers can help pursue compensation for injuries related to each of the following accidents:
Cruise Ship Accidents
Cruise ship accidents are a very common source of maritime injuries. There are many different sources of injuries on cruise ships. For instance, any of the following types of accidents can occur:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Fires and explosions
- Falls overboard
- Passenger disappearances
- Cruise ship medical malpractice
- Cruise ship attraction accidents
- Shore excursion accidents
Victims of the aforementioned accidents can incur a wide range of painful and debilitating injuries. If you were injured because of an accident on a cruise ship, you should contact our attorneys for help pursuing financial compensation for the harm you sustained.
On-the-Job Accidents Suffered by Crew Members and Seamen
Additionally, our maritime accident lawyers can help recover compensation for on-the-job accidents suffered by crew members and seamen. The following are all examples of maritime workers who often suffer such accidents:
- Oil ship workers
- Cruise ship workers
- Oil rig workers
- Yacht workers
If you suffered a maritime injury while working as a crew member or seamen, you may be able to file a lawsuit seeking payment for the damages you incurred. During your free case assessment, our experienced attorneys can evaluate the strength of your potential claim.
Boating Accidents
Lastly, boating accident are a very common source of maritime injuries. When boaters act carelessly in the operation of their vessels, catastrophic collisions can occur. For instance, the following are all common causes of boating accidents:
- Driving drunk
- Poor boat maintenance
- Speeding
- Defective boat repair
- Operating a boat that is overcrowded
- Distracted driving
- Failing to provide proper safety equipment for passengers
If you were hurt because of a boating accident, you should contact our maritime accident lawyers right away. Our attorneys can help build your case and negotiate for fair compensation.
When Should You Hire a Maritime Attorney?
After an accident of any kind that occurs at sea, hire a maritime lawyer. This includes recreational, cruise ship, and workplace boating accidents. The law surrounding maritime accident injury lawsuits is complicated, so having an experienced attorney in your corner is often necessary to recover compensatory damages after a boating accident.
Types of Damages Our Maritime and/or Admiralty Attorneys Can Recover
There are multiple forms of monetary damages that may be pursued in maritime accident cases. The damages awarded in your case will most likely depend on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. During your free case review, our attorneys can help explain which of the following damages may be sought:
Medical Expenses
First, victims of maritime accidents can pursue payment for any medical expenses they incurred because of their injuries. These damages are usually established using medical records and bills. Accordingly, you should not wait to see a doctor after suffering a maritime accident. Waiting for your injuries to heal on their own could inhibit your case’s chances of success. Our maritime accident lawyers can help find the right doctors for you.
Lost Income
Furthermore, many victims of maritime accidents are restricted from returning to work until their injuries heal. Fortunately, our maritime accident lawyers can help plaintiffs pursue payment for any lost income they sustained because of their injuries. Usually, these damages will be quantified using a worker’s average weekly wage.
Some victims of maritime accidents will be permanently prevented from performing the same tasks that they could before becoming injured. In such cases, plaintiffs may also recover payment for their lost future earning capacity. However, claims for lost future income can be complicated. The guidance and support of our maritime attorneys can be highly beneficial when pursuing such a claim.
Pain and Suffering
Lastly, plaintiffs in maritime accident cases can also recover monetary damages related to their physical pain and emotional suffering. For example, a plaintiff with a spinal cord injury may have trouble participating in their favorite hobbies and activities. Furthermore, someone who incurs a traumatic brain injury may have a hard time engaging in familial relationships. In such cases, our maritime accident lawyers can help plaintiffs recover compensation for their physical pain and emotional suffering.
Claims for pain and suffering damages can be complicated. Expert witness testimony is often required to support these claims. Our Miami maritime accident lawyers can help gather and preserve the information needed to recover damages for pain and suffering in your case.
Will a Maritime and/or Admiralty Attorney Help Consider Settlement Offers in Your Case?
A maritime attorney can also help evaluate any settlement offers made in your case. When parties to a case reach a settlement agreement, the defendant pays a certain sum of damages to the plaintiff and their case is dismissed. There are some advantages to settling early. For example, plaintiffs who settler early may recover payment more quickly. Furthermore, parties who reach settlement agreements can save on several costs that accompany the decision to go to trial.
Still, settling early is not always the best choice. Many defendants in maritime cases attempt to settle claims for less than they are worth. By taking your lawsuit to trial, you will have the chance to recover additional payment. However, if your case is unsuccessful, you may receive nothing for your injuries. Our lawyers can help evaluate any settlement offers made in your case, so that you can decide if going to trial is right for you.
If You Need to File a Maritime and/or Admiralty Case, Our Attorneys Can Help
If you suffered a maritime accident, seek support from our experienced maritime accident lawyers by calling Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 to review your case for free.
