| ADMIRALTY & MARITIME LAW ATTORNEYS | | |
Admiralty Law / Maritime Law is an international law that dates back to ancient Greece and, although it has been updated to conform to modern times, is still the basis by which all countries govern and control transportation on water. The regulations relating to Admiralty law are extremely complex but generally encompass any vessel that is in navigable waters.
A vessel, according to Admiralty law, is defined as a watercraft or other contrivance capable of being used as a means of transportation over water. This includes pleasure craft as well as commercial vessels and may include offshore oil derricks, barges, drilling rigs, etc. The vessel must also be in navigable waters. Navigable waters refer to oceans and their adjacent harbors and any other body of water, salt or fresh, that can be traveled interstate. For example: the Great Lakes are navigable waters whereas your local lake may not be.
To further complicate matters, an employee of a vessel who is injured while working on that vessel will often be covered under the "Jones Act" (Merchant Marine Act), or under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, rather than workers' compensation.
If you have been injured on the water, it is important that you consult with an attorney who is experienced in Admiralty law. You will need to determine under what jurisdiction your claim can be filed. For example:
Was there negligence involved at the time of the incident? Please note: Admiralty law does not always necessitate negligence.
If your claim does not apply to Admiralty law, you may be able to file for recovery against your losses in State court. If you have suffered damages as a result of an injury in a pleasure craft, and you are not in navigable waters, you may be able to file a claim against the pleasure craft's owner if you can prove negligence on the part of the owner. In order to prove negligence, you must prove the following:
Call the Law Offices of Joseph H. Low IV for a free consultation today and get the representation you deserve!!
It's your right
Toll Free 1-888-454-5569
Disclaimer: The California maritime law, admiralty law, admiralty and maritime law, maritime law firm, Jones Act, Merchant Marine Act, Jones Act maritime, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights and negligence information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Any results portrayed here were dependent on the facts of a particular legal matter and results vary from case to case. Please contact Joseph H. Low IV for a consultation on your particular case. This firm is licensed to practice law only in the State of California, but is affiliated with licensed attorneys in other states
