When an injury occurs on the water, one of the first questions our legal team will ask is: where did it happen? We don’t ask this question only out of curiosity – in maritime law, where an incident takes place is critical to the determination of whether the injured party’s case will be governed by…
As a maritime lawyer, one of the most common questions I encounter is, “What exactly is maritime law?” It’s a field of law that is as vast and deep as the waters it governs. Unlike laws that are confined by state or even national borders, maritime law, also known as admiralty law, is a unique…
An injury at sea is always a serious matter, but when the vessel involved is owned or operated by the United States government, the legal path to compensation becomes significantly more complex. Standard maritime laws like the Jones Act do not apply in the same way. Instead, injured seamen must navigate a different set of…
Summary A policy limit demand is a strategic legal tool used to demand the full amount of an insurance policy to settle a claim where an insured defendant likely faces exposure to liability exceeding the policy limits. This demand places a duty of good faith on the insurer to protect its insured (the vessel owner)…
Wind energy accident claims, whether onshore wind farms or offshore wind projects, involve a complex overlap of maritime law, energy regulation, construction liability, personal injury, products liability, and insurance coverage. The law firms that successfully handle these cases, especially catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, are a relatively small and specialized group. Choosing the right legal…
Understanding where maritime laws apply is one of the most confusing and important questions injured maritime workers and their families face. Maritime law does not follow simple state boundaries. Instead, it depends on geography, vessel status, worker classification, and the specific statute involved. The answer can change dramatically based on whether an injury happens on…
If you are wondering what a maritime lawyer does, the short answer is this (at least in the context of maritime personal injury cases): a maritime lawyer helps injured mariners understand and enforce their rights under maritime law when an accident happens on navigable waters or in maritime work. That can include injured seamen, deckhands,…
Understanding the statute of limitations for various maritime claims is essential for seamen, dockworkers, and offshore employees who experience injuries or losses at sea. Maritime statutes of limitations set legal deadlines for filing claims under laws like the Jones Act, the Defense Base Act (DBA), and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). “A statute…
Oil rig accidents are some of the most dangerous workplace incidents in the world. Operating miles offshore, crews face constant risks from explosions, blowouts, and equipment failures. Despite advancements in safety technology, history has seen several catastrophic oil rig disasters that have forever changed the industry. These tragic oil rig accidents not only resulted in…
If you’ve been involved in a maritime incident, understanding your rights under maritime law is crucial. Recent sea accidents highlight the importance of knowing how to claim salvage rights and protect your interests. What Is A Salvage Claim? A salvage claim allows for compensation after someone or a group of people rescue another ship in…
