If you're on open water, you're covered by maritime or admiralty law, a set of domestic and global laws governing maritime conduct. The job of a maritime lawyer is to make sure that you follow maritime laws and are fairly treated during legal proceedings.
What Does a Maritime Lawyer Do in Particular?
An offshore drilling accidents lawyer represents you if your boat crashes and causes damage or injury to someone. If you are the victim of such injury or property damage, this attorney can help you as well. They will provide you with legal representation, whether in court or in an out-of-court settlement.
When Do You Hire a Maritime Lawyer?
Below are some common scenarios that give rise to a need for a maritime lawyer:
Your boat collides with another boat.
Your boat damages a dock.
Your dock is hit by another boat.
Your ship spills waste on to the water or causes any other type of water pollution.
A crash injures you or you cause injury to someone else.
A lawyer will determine whether maritime law applies in your case or not. Your legal situation may be covered by admiralty jurisdiction depending on two key factors: where exactly it happened and how it changed - if it did - commercial activities on the water.
How Much Is a Maritime Lawyer's Fees?
Maritime jones act attorneys usually charge on a per-hour basis. On the other hand, some will collect fees on contingency, meaning, if your case succeeds, the lawyer will be paid a percentage of your reward or settlement. In any case, the amount you pay a maritime attorney will depend on the state you're in and how complex or difficult your case is.
What Should You Expect from Your Maritime Attorney?
If you are responsible for damages or injuries after an accident on water, a maritime lawyer can help minimize your payments or strike an out-of-court settlement with the other party. If you're the victim, your lawyer will fight to get you the biggest compensation or settlement possible.
The case can be settled out-of-court if all parties involved in the accident agree on who's at fault. Otherwise, your case should be headed to court where a judge will decide which side is at fault.
Maritime lawyers are your best resource for cases like these as they possess in-depth knowledge and experience with issues involving laws of the water. If you need one, spend time researching information about some candidates, specifically their professional background and history. Ask friends and family members for referrals; if this isn't possible, read client reviews online. Keep in mind that these lawyers are not all the same. Watch this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_ZWO0-7J0E for more facts about lawyers.
