Anyone who works or spends time on or around bodies of water understands there are risks. What people don’t expect is to get injured in an accident caused by negligence, unsafe conditions, or someone else’s poor decision-making. Maritime accidents are often severe and life changing. Afterwards, maritime accident victims often find themselves in a confusing legal system, as if getting seriously injured wasn’t enough.
Maritime cases are governed by federal laws and adhere to strict deadlines and rules that are unlike typical injury cases on land. These complex laws and processes make it essential to have an experienced maritime lawyer when filing an injury claim.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we understand maritime law. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Maritime Law?
Maritime law (or admiralty law) is federal law that governs accidents and injuries on navigable waters. It operates separately from California injury law, with its own set of rules, deadlines, and procedures. Determining whether maritime law applies to your case is a critical first step.
Maritime law typically applies to accidents that occur in the following settings:
- Pacific Ocean and coastal waters
- Bays, harbors, and ports throughout California
- Navigable rivers used for commercial activity
- On vessels traveling between states or countries
Common Types of Maritime Accidents
Maritime accidents happen in many different environments, and they often result in severe or catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common maritime accidents we see include:
- Collisions: Whether it’s two boats crashing or a vessel hitting a pier, these accidents usually happen because someone wasn’t paying attention or ignored safety rules.
- Falls on Deck: Slippery surfaces and dark walkways are common on ships. If a vessel owner fails to maintain a safe environment, they can be held liable for your injuries.
- Fishing and Industrial Accidents: Commercial fishermen and offshore oil workers face extreme danger. We can help victims of equipment failure, fires, or unstable vessel conditions.
- Harbor and Cargo Injuries: Loading docks are high-risk areas. People on site can be injured by failing cranes, falling freight, or unsafe piers.
- Charter Boat Negligence: If you were hurt on a tour or rental boat because the operator was reckless or safety gear was missing, you have a right to pursue compensation for your injuries.
- Cruise Ship Injuries and Illnesses: Passengers and crew may be injured by unsafe conditions or become ill due to unsanitary practices, contaminated food, or delayed medical care.
What Makes Maritime Accident Claims So Complex?
Maritime law is a legal field that operates under federal rules, meaning the standard protections of California state law often don’t apply. These cases are complex because your legal rights depend on your worker classification. In other words, whether the law views you as a seaman, a longshore worker, or a passenger informs our legal strategy.
Because ships are mobile and constantly in use, evidence disappears in a flash. Maintenance logs are updated, decks are cleaned or repainted, and crew members rotate to new vessels. With strict federal deadlines that are often much shorter than state laws, there is no time to delay.
You are often up against massive shipping corporations and insurance teams whose goal is to resolve your claim as cheaply as possible or deny it altogether. You need a legal team like Berg Injury Lawyers that can move in and defend your rights.
What Compensation Is Available in Maritime Accident Cases?
Depending on the specific law that applies, compensation in a maritime accident claim may include:
- Medical Expenses: ER visits, all hospital care, rehabilitation, medications, and future medical needs
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation for missed work and loss of future earning ability
- Pain and Suffering: Damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful Death Damages: Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members
What You Should Do After a Maritime Accident
If you were injured in a maritime accident, it’s important to take the right steps early on. Doing the following as quickly as possible can protect your claim:
- Seek Medical Attention: Get medical care immediately and follow all treatment recommendations. You may think you’re fine, but not all injuries are obvious right away.
- Document Everything: Write down what happened, where it occurred, who was involved, and what conditions were like.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep incident reports, photographs, and any communications related to the accident.
- Avoid Giving Statements: Do not give recorded statements to anyone without legal advice.
- Contact a Maritime Lawyer Immediately: Legal guidance early on can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
How Berg Injury Lawyers Can Help
Recovering from a maritime injury is physically, emotionally, and financially burdensome. Our goal is to alleviate the legal burden and handle every aspect of the process for you while you heal.
When you work with Berg Injury Lawyers, we:
- Investigate your accident thoroughly
- Identify all potentially liable parties
- Preserve critical evidence
- Handle all communications with insurers and employers
- Build a strong claim under the applicable federal maritime laws
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact Our California Maritime Accident Lawyers
You have legal rights under maritime law, even if those rights feel confusing right now. Berg Injury Lawyers represents injured maritime workers and passengers throughout California, including Northern California’s ports and coastal communities. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
