Were you recently injured in an accident on the waters off the coast of Miami, Florida? Contact Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and suffering, and our experienced Miami maritime accident lawyers can help you seek the maximum financial award permitted under Florida state law.
Since 2007, our nationally-recognized trial attorneys have been advocating for injured dockworkers, longshoremen, and cruise ship passengers across South Florida. Our hard work and dedication have allowed us to recover over $100 Million in benefits, settlements, and verdicts on their behalf.
Benefit from a legal team with over 100 years of combined legal experience. Call our law office in Miami, FL, at (305) 937-0191 to arrange a time for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to get started or contact us online. We’re always available to provide the guidance you deserve – 24/7/365.
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How Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Maritime Accident in Miami, FL
Does state law or federal law apply to your maritime accident case? Who’s liable for your maritime accident and resulting injuries? How much money can you expect to recover when your case is resolved?
These are all critically important questions – but not ones that you should have to answer on your own. That’s where an experienced Miami personal injury lawyer can help.
At Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys are well-versed in maritime law and have extensive experience handling personal injury cases at the state and federal levels. Our law firm has the resources to match the powerful adversaries you’re likely to face as you work to recover the compensation you need and deserve.
We’re ready to invest the time and hard work that’s going to be necessary to get you a much-needed win.
While you focus on getting better, our personal injury attorneys in Miami will:
- Coordinate a thorough investigation into your maritime accident
- Determine causation, fault, and liability
- Gather witness statements, photographs, hiring records, maintenance logs, proof of state or federal maritime safety violations, medical records, accident reports, and other evidence that can help to build and support a claim for damages
- Consult with boating accident and maritime accident experts
- Defend against claims that you may share responsibility for your accident or injury
- File your claim with a court in the appropriate jurisdiction within the applicable statute of limitations
- Negotiate with your employer, an insurance company, and/or negligent third parties on your behalf
- Prepare to argue your maritime accident case at trial in Miami-Dade County, if necessary
Our Miami personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. We assume the risks of litigating your case. You only pay us if we win – no exceptions, no excuses.
Call our law office serving Miami and surrounding areas in South Florida to learn more. Your first case evaluation is 100 percent free, so contact us to schedule yours today.
What’s a Maritime Accident?
While most boating accidents happen on navigable waters inland and right off the coast of Florida, maritime accidents tend to refer to accidents:
- At sea, or
- Involving maritime workers.
Typically, it must occur on navigable waters and involve an activity that’s substantially related to maritime activity.
Depending on where a maritime accident occurs, Florida state law, federal admiralty law, or even international law may apply to a personal injury case.
It’s critical to work with an attorney who is well-versed in these laws and applicable procedures – it could mean the difference between a moderate award and getting a life-changing financial recovery.
Some common examples of maritime accidents include:
- Cruise ship accidents
- Barge accidents
- Commercial fishing accidents
- Tugboat accidents
- Crude oil tanker accidents
- Cargo ship accidents
- Marine crane accidents
- Shipyard accidents
- Dock accidents
- Diving support vessel accidents, and more.
At Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent clients who have suffered injuries in these and other types of maritime accidents in and near Miami.
Who Can File a Maritime Accident Lawsuit in Miami?
You don’t have to be a maritime worker to recover compensation for injuries on the high seas or off the coast of Miami.
Individuals who may have the right to bring a maritime injury claim include:
- Longshoremen
- Dockworkers
- Ship repairmen
- Ship crew members
- Commercial fishermen
- Harbor workers
- Long liners
- Cruise ship workers
- Cruise ship passengers
- Ferry passengers
- Boaters
- Yacht passengers
Call our Miami maritime accident attorneys if you have been injured or if you’ve lost a family member in an accident in navigable waters in South Florida.
What Federal Maritime Laws Could Apply to My Personal Injury Case?
Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, one or more of the following federal maritime laws may apply:
- Jones Act: The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, provides injured maritime workers with the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against their employer if they are hurt on the job. Under the law, ship owners and employers are required to keep their vessels in “seaworthy” condition and can be liable for maintenance and cure and other damages.
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Not all maritime workers are covered by the Jones Act. Many, however, are covered by the LHWCA. Under it, shipbuilders, longshore workers, harbor construction workers, ship-repairers, and other workers can recover benefits for job-related injuries.
- Death on the High Seas Act: When there’s a fatal maritime accident at least three nautical miles off the coast of Florida, the Death on the High Seas Act gives surviving family members of the deceased seaman the right to file a lawsuit and seek damages.
At Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our maritime accident lawyers in Miami are incredibly well-versed in these and other maritime laws.
We will help you navigate any complications or issues that may arise so that you are able to secure the compensation you need and deserve.
What’s My Maritime Accident Case Worth?
There are two important factors to consider when it comes to valuation and maritime accident cases.
First, how serious are your injuries? The more serious they are, and the more your life changes as a result, the more a related claim for damages will typically be worth.
Second, what maritime law applies to your case? For instance, you’ll be entitled to different types of compensation under a Jones Act Claim than you would under a more general personal injury lawsuit. Federal maritime law, especially in terms of injured seamen and maritime workers, often restricts the types of damages that can be awarded. Often, only economic damages are permitted in these types of cases. This can significantly impact how much money you are able to recover when your case is resolved.
The best way to get an idea of the value of your maritime accident lawsuit is by speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney near you in Miami, FL. Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers is ready to help you seek maximum compensation for your injuries and suffering. Give our team a call to discuss your case and legal options today.
Is There a Time Limit For Filing a Maritime Injury Lawsuit in Miami, Florida?
Generally, 46 U.S. Code 30106 is the controlling statute of limitations for maritime accident cases. It provides that, with a few limited exceptions, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit after a maritime accident is three years. The clock begins to run the date of the maritime accident or when an injury or illness was discovered – whichever is later.
For claims filed under Florida state law, a two-year statute of limitations will usually apply. Historically, the statute of limitations was four years in Florida. However, the deadline was shortened by law on March 24, 2023. Causes of action that occur after that date must be legally acted upon within two years.
A two-year time limit applies to Florida wrongful death matters, including those related to fatal maritime accidents.
If you do not file a claim for damages within the applicable deadline, you will lose the right to recover compensation for your injuries and suffering. Contact an attorney to determine the deadline for your case.
What Damages Can I Get if I File a Maritime Accident Lawsuit in Miami?
The specific types of damages that can be awarded in your maritime accident case will depend on the state and/or federal laws that apply.
Generally, however, you can expect to recover compensation for economic damages, including:
- Hospitalization and current medical bills
- Rehabilitation and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Disability
- Property damage
- Nursing assistance
- Funeral and burial expenses if a maritime accident in Miami is fatal
For cases controlled by Florida personal injury law, victims of maritime accidents may be entitled to non-economic damages, as well. This can include money for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of consortium, and other hard-to-value losses associated with a maritime-related injury.
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers will help you seek all damages that are available to you under federal and state maritime law.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Miami Maritime Accident Lawyer
Have you recently been injured in a maritime accident in Miami, Florida? Whether you were a passenger on a cruise ship or yacht or working on a seaworthy vessel, you may have the right to recover compensation for your injuries, loss of wages, and distress. Our experienced Miami maritime accident lawyers are ready to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your injury case.
Benefit from a team with 100+ years of combined experience that’s won over $100 million in compensation for clients like you. Your first case evaluation is free, so reach out today to set up a time to speak with a member of our compassionate legal team now.
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Additional Miami Maritime Accident Resources
- PortMiami
- Marine Services – Miami-Dade County
- Coastal Marine Forecasts by Zone – Miami, FL – National Weather Service
- Miami Seaport, Florida – 5201 – US Customs And Border Protection
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Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office Serving Miami, FL
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Avenue, Suite 715,
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191
Miami Maritime Accident Infographic
