Top Rated Maritime Injury Attorneys in Florida
Were you injured in a maritime accident? If so, you may be wondering about your legal options for compensation. Maritime law is complex and differs from general personal injury law, so it can be difficult to find an attorney knowledgeable enough for your case. However, experienced maritime injury lawyers have the skills necessary to advocate for your needs.
Grossman’s Maritime Injury Lawyers are Committed to Protecting Your Rights
At Grossman Attorneys at Law, our firm focuses only on serious injury claims and insurance disputes, and we have extensive experience in maritime law. We have cutting-edge tools that allow us to find evidence to support your claim and pursue maximum compensation. Plus, we offer a listening ear and a shoulder to lean on for accident victims who are experiencing pain and stress.
Here, we’ll explain what a maritime injury lawyer does to help accident victims and their families. We’ll also highlight a few different maritime laws that an attorney may use to advocate for your compensation.
To find out more about how our maritime accident lawyers can help you, contact us for a free consultation.
Most Common Types of Maritime Accidents in Florida
Maritime accidents can occur at offshore worksites, on piers and docks, and on commercial and pleasure vessels. The location of your maritime accident can determine what laws govern your claim and what compensation you can pursue.
We represent clients who experience these common maritime accidents:
- Offshore rig accident,
- Pleasure boat accident,
- Commercial fishing vessel accident,
- Ferry accident,
- Cruise ship accident, and
- Shipyard or dock accident.
Maritime accidents on these vessels can be caused by a variety of factors, from fires and explosions to equipment malfunctions and slippery surfaces. Even if you were partially responsible for your accident, you can usually recover compensation. In situations where your employer made only a small mistake, they can usually still be held liable for their role in your accident.
Common Types of Florida Maritime Injuries
Unfortunately, maritime accidents often result in terrible injuries. People may suffer harm that prevents them from working and enjoying life the way they did before the accident.
The most common maritime accidents may result in these injuries:
- Burns,
- Broken bones,
- Lacerations,
- Internal injuries,
- Head injuries,
- Spinal cord damage, and
- Crushed or severed limbs.
If you suffered a life-altering injury, you must seek medical treatment immediately. Seeking prompt evaluation is important for your physical and financial recovery.
In the most tragic maritime accidents, people lose their lives. If your loved one was killed in a maritime accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your loss.
What Maritime Law Applies to Your Case?
Maritime law involves a complex series of overlapping statutes. Here are a few laws that commonly govern our clients’ injury claims.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that protects maritime workers on moveable vessels. You must work as an employee on a vessel that is in navigable water to qualify for relief under this Act. The Jones Act gives injured workers the ability to sue their employers for negligence. A personal injury claim filed under this Act allows damages that include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) is a federal law that provides compensation for injured workers who work on navigable waters or adjacent areas, such as a dock or pier.
Congress extended the LHWCA to apply to workers injured on the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States who are exploring and developing natural resources, such as drilling for oil.
Injured workers can receive reimbursement for medical bills, disability payments, and vocational rehabilitation to train for a new job.
Maintenance and Cure
General maritime law provides maintenance and cure for injured workers.
This payment reimburses a worker for medical bills and gives them a small daily stipend while they receive medical treatment.
When the worker reaches “maximum medical improvement,” meaning that no further treatment will improve their condition, maintenance and cure compensation stops.
Death on the High Seas Act
A death occurring more than three miles offshore is eligible for compensation under the Death on the High Seas Act.
If the person was killed due to someone’s negligence or intentional act, the deceased person’s personal representative can file a claim for surviving family members.
This Act allows family members to recover the deceased person’s lost wages. It does not allow for damages, such as medical bills, that an accident victim experienced unless you file a claim before the person dies. Odd provisions in laws like the Death on the High Seas Act show why it’s important to contact a maritime injury attorney right away when your loved one is involved in an accident.
A lawyer can inform you of what steps you need to take to protect your family financially and hold responsible those who caused you harm.
How Can a Florida Maritime Injury Lawyer Help?
When you file a claim for a maritime accident, you usually have to fight big companies with plenty of experienced attorneys. You need a skilled maritime lawyer on your side.
A maritime accident lawyer will take these steps to try to win you maximum compensation:
- Talk with you to learn your story,
- Investigate your accident to gather evidence,
- Calculate damages,
- Present a damages request to the defendant,
- Negotiate with the defendant’s insurer for a settlement, and
- Take your case to trial if necessary.
A maritime lawyer should keep you informed during the litigation process and never pressure you to accept an unfair settlement offer. You want an attorney with extensive knowledge of maritime law who won’t hesitate to take your case to trial if needed to get you fair compensation.
Contact an Experienced Maritime Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one experienced a maritime accident, you need to hire a skilled attorney.
Maritime law is complex, and not many attorneys have the thorough knowledge to advocate for people injured or killed on the water. Choosing a lawyer who knows the right law for your claim can make a big difference in the compensation you might receive.
Grossman Attorneys at Law is different from generic personal injury firms: our maritime injury attorneys know the intricate laws that govern maritime accidents. We show accident victims and their family members compassion, understanding, and respect while tenaciously advocating for them.
To learn more about how we can help you and to start your maritime accident claim, contact us for a free consultation.
