when should i hire a maritime lawyer?

Full Answer

Why do I need a maritime accident lawyer?

Without the help of an experienced maritime accident lawyer, companies will use their vast experience, manpower and resources to overwhelm you in an attempt to quickly end your claim. This usually results in a judgment that significantly undervalues or rejects your claim completely.

What are the dangers of working in the maritime industry?

Working in the maritime industry puts yourself in harm’s way constantly. Injuries can result from the actions or non-actions of your employer and coworker, but also may just purely be incidental.

Where can I get an expert opinion on a maritime claim?

The maritime attorneys at Doyle Dennis LLP with their decades of experience will also allow you to get an expert opinion on your claim with no fees necessary. With our knowledge in admiralty law we can help you understand what your case is worth and how you can get the compensation you deserve. What are common maritime accident injuries?

How long does a maritime accident claim take?

The general time frame for a maritime accident claim is 4 months to a couple years. Most likely they will be well over a year. After the accident, medical treatment including surgery can take weeks, months or even years of rehabilitation.

What do marine lawyers do?

A Maritime Lawyer is an attorney that specializes in maritime injuries and boating accidents that occur in both recreational and commercial maritime activities.

What is a maritime lawyer called?

A maritime lawyer, also known as an admiralty attorney, handles legal issues arising from United States maritime law.

When should you consult with legal counsel?

Answer: The best time to consult with an attorney is when you don?t need one. Whenever you have concerns about a potential problem, that the time to talk to a lawyer.

What should you consider when hiring a lawyer?

5 Top Things to Consider When Hiring a LawyerSpecialization. The first thing you should consider when hiring an attorney is his or her area of specialization. ... Experience. Check the track record of the attorney before you hire. ... Location. ... Specifics about Billing and Representations. ... Ability To Convince You.

What are core duties of maritime law?

Maritime law governs private maritime questions, disputes, or offenses and other nautical matters. In most developed countries, the maritime law follows a separate code and is an independent jurisdiction from national laws.

What is the difference between common law and maritime law?

The major difference between a maritime law court and a common law court would be the fact that admiralty law courts conduct trials without any jury. The admiralty judges only apply the maritime laws, whereas the common law is not restricted to only one aspect of law.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

Can you get 30 mins Free legal advice?

Some solicitors give 30 minutes' legal advice for free. Some offer a fixed fee - that way you'll know in advance what the advice will cost. You can call a solicitor's office and ask if they offer a free half hour or a fixed fee. A free or fixed-fee appointment can help you find out your rights and legal position.

Why is hiring a lawyer important?

An Attorney Can Help You Avoid Problems. By having everything in place to begin with, you will be able to avoid issues down the road. You will understand all the aspects of your contract or what you need to have in place before starting a business. Based on all these reasons, it just makes sense to use an attorney.

How do people choose a lawyer?

How do people choose attorneys?Expertise. Of the respondents to the survey who contacted an attorney, 47% said “expertise” was the main factor they considered in determining to whom they'd reach out. ... Reviews. ... Trustworthiness.

Can my attorney go to court for me?

If you are a perpetrator of a misdemeanor, your attorney is allowed to appear in court for you. He/she may defend your rights without your presence on your behalf at all stages of your case.

How do I find a personal lawyer?

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

What should I know before hiring a lawyer?

Before hiring a lawyer, it is best to sort out what kind of legal problem you have first. This will determine which country the lawyer should be licensed in and what legal field of expertise he or she must have experience in . For example, a seafarer who is charged with a crime and needs a dedicated defense would need a criminal lawyer ...

Who is the attorney for crew members?

To help remedy this situation, Attorney Elias B. Rudnikas provides free legal advice to all crew members.

Usually, maritime cases are not straightforward and may be confusing to clients. If you have a maritime injury attorney by your side, the confusion will not scare you into dropping the case

Hiring a maritime attorney should not be something you debate about. On the contrary, once you feel the need to do so, then you should proceed and find your perfect match. Unfortunately, it is not always that easy. Sometimes it takes a lot of effort to be sure that you need the services of these experts.

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Who were the admiralty lawyers in the US?

Constitution in 1789. Many American lawyers who were prominent in the American Revolution were admiralty and maritime lawyers in their private lives. Those included are Alexander Hamilton in New York and John Adams in Massachusetts.

How long does a cruise ship liability suit last?

Ship owners owe a duty of reasonable care to passengers. Passengers who are injured on ships may file a lawsuit as if they had been injured on land through the negligence of a third party. The passenger bears the burden of proving that the ship owner was negligent. While the statute of limitations may generally be three years, suits against cruise lines must usually be brought within one year because of limitations contained in the passenger ticket. Notice requirements in the ticket may require a formal notice to be brought within six months of the injury.

What happens if you get hurt on a fishing boat?

It is physically demanding, and the conditions are tough. If you are hurt on a commercial fishing boat, the law protects you. The boat owner and/or operator may be obliged to pay for your immediate medical care as well as a daily wages until you are able to return to work or your medical condition improves. In addition, you may have a claim for other compensation if the slightest negligence on the part of your employer contributed to your accident. Common accidents aboard commercial fishing boats for which you may be entitled to compensation include:

Can boating cause injuries?

Given the nature of boating and yachting along with the direct and nature perils of the sea, boating injuries can be caused by many different things. Many people think that since they were simply on the water, they assumed all risks associated with the activity. This is not true. It is very important that people injured while boating are aware that their negligent claims could be governed by maritime law as opposed to state law. Often different damages can be recovered, there could be a shorter time frame for which a maritime lawsuit has to be filed in court.

Can a seaman sue his employer?

A seaman who is injured may sue his employer and/or ship owner under theories of Jones Act negligence, unseaworthiness, “maintenance and cure”, unearned or sick wages, wrongful discharge from employment, earned wages and additional claims.

Why are maritime accidents so common?

Maritime accidents are often unforeseen and unfortunately common due to working with large machinery and in difficult conditions. Even passengers on cruise ships face unforeseen personal injury. Maritime workers are not usually protected by state workers compensation laws. But they are protected by a variety of federal acts and laws ...

What to do after a personal injury?

After your injury is documented you should make sure to inform your immediate supervisor and employer about the incident and the personal injury. As soon as you can you should prepare a written report on what happened. Do not rely on your company or crew members to do this for you.

Can you sue an insurance company without a lawyer?

Can you sue an insurance company without a maritime accident lawyer? A licensed attorney is required to successfully sue an insurance company . Many attorneys may claim they can handle a maritime accident, but these lawsuits against insurance companies for maritime accident require great expertise and experience.