Maritime Injury Lawyer

What Is a Maritime Injury or Accident?

Maritime injuries or accidents occur on boats or near the water. These incidents can include physical injuries, chemical exposures, sexual assault, or even death.

Compensation from a maritime injury lawsuit can help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Quick Facts About Maritime Injuries 

• Workers like seamen, dockworkers, and offshore oil rig employees, as well as passengers on cruise ships or ferries, are often at risk of maritime injuries.
• Maritime workers are protected by laws like the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Passengers on boats may also have legal rights after an injury caused by negligence. Employers and cruise ship companies are responsible for ensuring a safe environment. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable.

At Sokolove Law, our maritime attorneys have over 45 years of experience helping injured clients secure the justice they deserve. Contact us now to see if we may be able to fight for you.

What to Look for in a Maritime Injury Law Firm

Choosing the right maritime injury law firm for your case may help you receive more compensation for your injuries — and make the process easier for yourself.

Learn how Sokolove Law stands out from the rest: 

• Over 45 Years of Experience: Since 1979, our lawyers have fought for those injured through no fault of their own.
• Track Record of Success: We’ve secured more than $9.6 Billion total for our clients.
• Nationwide Presence: Our maritime injury lawyers can help families in all 50 states.
• No Financial Risks: There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with our team, so you can get the help you need regardless of your ability to pay.

Our team is made up of compassionate and knowledgeable professionals. We’re dedicated to seeking justice for injured clients.

Who Can Maritime Injury Lawyers Help?

Our maritime injury lawyers may be able to help anyone injured at sea or on a boat, including:

• Employees injured on the job
• Passengers harmed on a cruise ship, ferry, or other vessel
• Family members or estate representatives of a victim who passed away

We’re prepared to take on the company or employer responsible for the pain you’ve experienced. Let us get you the money you deserve.

Maritime Law Statute of Limitations

Each state has laws called statutes of limitations, which set deadlines for how long you have to take legal action. However, when an injury occurs at sea, federal maritime law applies instead of state laws.

The maritime law statute of limitations is 3 years after your injury or the death of a loved one.

Contact a maritime personal injury law firm as soon as possible, so you don't miss your chance for justice. If the deadline passes, you won’t be able to take action again.

Common Maritime Injuries

Maritime environments can be dangerous due to the harsh weather, use of heavy machinery and hazardous materials, slippery surfaces, and the risks associated with being on the open water.

Common maritime injuries may involve: 

• Bodily injuries, like broken bones or drownings
• Harm to cruise ship passengers or crew members
• Maritime physical and sexual assault

Find out more about how negligence can lead to injuries on docks, in shipyards, or on boats.

Bodily Injury

In many cases, maritime bodily injuries stem from the negligence of employers, vessel owners, or equipment manufacturers who fail to maintain safe working conditions or adhere to safety regulations.

Maritime bodily injuries can include:

• Amputations: Machinery accidents, especially in shipyards or vessels, can result in severe injuries that require limb amputation.
• Broken bones: Workers may fall or be struck by heavy equipment, which can lead to broken bones.
• Drownings: Anyone who falls overboard or is on a sinking ship may be at risk of drowning.
• Head or brain injuries: Failure to provide adequate safety measures, like protective gear or railings, can lead to blunt force trauma that results in concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
• Shoulder injuries: Heavy lifting or repetitive strain can cause significant shoulder injuries, which may impact someone’s ability to work or move freely.
• Slip and fall accidents: Wet and unstable surfaces, as well as obstructions that someone may trip over, can lead to sprains, fractures, and other injuries.
• Toxic exposures: Workers may come into contact with dangerous substances like benzene or asbestos, which can lead to mesothelioma and other serious illnesses.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury on a boat or at sea, our maritime injury law firm may be able to help you hold those responsible for your suffering accountable.

Cruise Injuries

In 2023, nearly 17 million cruise ship passengers departed from the United States. Unfortunately, some passengers suffer injuries during their trips.

Cruise injuries may involve:

• Accidents while on shore excursions
• Falls due to slippery or dangerous surfaces
• Fires and collisions at sea
• Tripping in cabins and on decks, stairways, ladders, and ramps
• Viruses and illnesses caused by contaminated food or beverages

Another issue that is far too common on cruise ships is sexual assault. In 2023 alone, the FBI received 131 reports of sex crimes from passengers.

Crew members often work long hours and are also prone to work-related injuries. These may include repetitive strain injuries, an assault from an unruly guest, or slipping on a wet deck.

Jones Act

While maritime workers aren’t entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, the Jones Act allows employees to file a lawsuit against their employers if they’re injured on the job due to negligence.

Employers may act negligently and cause injury if they:

• Fail to provide adequate safety equipment: If an employer does not equip workers with necessary protective gear, they may be held liable for resulting injuries.
• Don’t properly screen or train workers: Employers who fail to hire qualified personnel or adequately train workers may face lawsuits for injuries that occur as a result.
• Allow unsafe working conditions to persist: Letting hazards like slippery surfaces or malfunctioning equipment go unaddressed can result in lawsuits under the Jones Act for negligence.

The Jones Act also allows workers to file asbestos claims if they got sick after exposure to this dangerous mineral, as it was once used in many ships due to its fire-resistant properties.

Maritime Sexual Assault

Maritime environments can leave passengers and crew vulnerable to sexual assault, which often occurs in isolated, unsupervised areas of a ship.

The lack of immediate oversight on vessels at sea, combined with the potential power dynamics in these environments, can make it difficult for survivors to seek the help they deserve.

Our firm is committed to helping survivors of maritime sexual assault pursue justice for the pain they’ve experienced. By taking legal action, you may be able to hold the cruise line, employer, crew member, or passenger responsible for your assault accountable.

What Does a Maritime Injury Lawyer Do?

At Sokolove Law, our maritime injury lawyers strive to make filing a lawsuit as easy and stress-free as possible.

We can handle every step of the legal process for you, including: 

• Determining your eligibility to file a maritime injury claim during a free case review
• Collecting evidence to build a strong case, like incident reports, witness statements from crew members or passengers, and medical records
• Filing a maritime injury lawsuit on your behalf before any legal deadlines
• Negotiating settlements with the defendant, which may be your employer or their insurance company

If maritime injury settlements are unable to be reached, we’re prepared to present your case in court and seek compensation from a trial verdict.

How Much Do Maritime Personal Injury Attorneys Charge?

At Sokolove Law, our maritime personal injury attorneys don’t charge any upfront costs or hourly fees. 

We work on a contingency-fee basis, which means we receive a percentage of any money secured for you.

You pay nothing if your case doesn’t result in compensation, which means you can take legal action without facing any financial risk.

Find a Maritime Injury Attorney Near You

At Sokolove Law, our maritime injury attorneys can help families in all 50 states seek justice after accidents involving boats, offshore work, or other incidents on or around the water.

We’ve secured over $9.6 Billion for clients harmed through no fault of their own.

Our experienced legal team understands the complexities of maritime law and is dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.

Maritime Personal Injury Lawsuit FAQs