Can Lawsuits Be Filed For Maritime Accidents
That Occurred In United States Waters?
Mar 16, 2010
Through viewing nighttime television dramas and daytime real-life courtroom dramas, most Americans have a good idea about certain aspects of the law, like personal injury, landlord and tenant law, and criminal law. However, what many people are unaware of is the law that covers things that happen in the waters off the coast of the United States.
Maritime accidents that occur in the waters of the United States are covered by maritime law, also called admiralty law. This body of law covers injuries to persons while on a boat, including during an accident with another boat. It also covers damage to cargo on a boat, such as shipping crates or other products. If you own a boat, you need to make sure you understand the ins and outs of this kind of law.
In the event that you have been injured in waters of the United States, meaning the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico, you may be able to file a lawsuit under maritime law. This could be personal injury from a boat crash, or if a large wake causes you to fly overboard or about the boat. You may also be able to sue for damage to your boat. For example, if you are out on your boat enjoying the sunshine and fishing, and another larger boat comes by and hits your boat, ruining it, that person will have to pay up.
Although these incidents are covered under a different kind of law than simple personal injury cases where you slip and fall on land or have a car accident, that does not mean that you are not just as easily able to have recovery. You just need to find an attorney who is well aware of maritime law and what implications that it may have for your case. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be required to prove certain things, for example, that would not need to be proven in a typical personal injury case. Your attorney will be able to explain all of this in detail.
If, in talking to your attorney, you become aware that you have a good case for damages for whatever happened to you at sea, you may want to think about contracting with a company like Lawsuit Hotline. They are not a law firm, but, rather, are a lawsuit funding company. A lawsuit funding company takes certain cases that they feel will be successful at trial and may be able to give the plaintiff, you in this case, an advance on their expected settlement. Once your case is settled and you receive your check from the lawsuit, Lawsuit Hotline gets paid back.
Boating is supposed to be a relaxing, fun way to spend an afternoon or a weekend. Some people love it so much they choose to live at sea. Whatever the reason why you were out at sea when you or your boat was injured, it is important that you get paid for any harm that was caused to your person or your boat so that you can get back out sailing as soon as possible.