St. Petersburg Maritime Accident Lawyer

Have you recently been hurt in a maritime accident in St. Petersburg, Florida? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and suffering. That’s where the experienced St. Petersburg maritime accident lawyers at Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys can help. Contact us at (727) 933-0015 to learn more about your rights and how our team can help you maximize your recovery.

We’re award-winning Florida trial lawyers with 25+ years of combined experience. We’ve dedicated our careers to fighting for victims of devastating accidents, helping them stand up to powerful adversaries, and working to make things right in cases like  St. Petersburg cruise ship accidents, St. Petersburg boating accidents, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, and more. Our experience, insights, and resources have helped us recover millions of dollars for our deserving clients in the process.

How Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Maritime Accident

How Our St. Petersburg Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Maritime Accident

This isn’t your average boat accident. Complex laws and procedures can affect your rights and ability to recover compensation. The defendants in your case will be well-versed in maritime law and ready to fight you at every turn. It’s time to level the playing field.

That’s where our St. Petersburg injury lawyers come in.

We have an in-depth knowledge of federal maritime and Florida boating law, and the resources to match the most powerful defendants in your case. Our team will be an unwavering source of support, guidance, and strength as we navigate this process together.

When you turn to our St. Petersburg personal injury attorneys for help, you’ll put respected litigators in your corner and give yourself the much-needed time to focus on getting better.

We can:

  • Launch an independent investigation into your maritime accident
  • Determine which federal maritime laws might apply to your case and provide you with an opportunity to recover compensation for your injuries
  • Carefully analyze the evidence we’ve obtained in our investigation and discovery efforts
  • Defend against victim-blaming tactics designed to hurt your financial recovery
  • Prepare and submit necessary claims with the court and other parties on your behalf
  • Work closely with respected maritime experts and specialists
  • Enter negotiations armed with strong arguments and persuasive evidence so that you’re offered a fair settlement
  • Bring your case to trial if you don’t receive a fair offer

A maritime accident can put you in a really tight financial spot. At Lopez Accident Injury Lawyers, we understand that you might be hesitant to ask for help for fear that it’ll just add to your financial burden. That’s why we work on contingency. You only pay for our help if we win your maritime injury case.

Call our law office in St. Petersburg today to discuss the details of your maritime accident and learn about all we have to offer.

We Handle All Types of Maritime Accidents in St. Petersburg, FL

Maritime accidents refer to incidents that involve the navigation, operation, and maintenance of ships, typically on open waters.

However, maritime accidents can also include incidents that take place in ports or shipyards and while ships are docked.

At Lopez Accident Injury Lawyers, we proudly represent clients who have suffered injuries or lost family members in maritime accidents, including:

  • Commercial fishing accidents
  • Marine cargo hauling accidents
  • Oil platform accidents
  • Cruise ship accidents
  • Shipyard accidents
  • Offshore rig accidents
  • Ferry accidents
  • Marine crane accidents

If you’ve been injured on board a vessel on the high seas off the coast of St. Petersburg, call our law firm to learn about your legal rights and options. You may be entitled to compensation under one of several maritime laws, and we can help you work toward a meaningful financial recovery.

What Maritime Laws Might Apply to My Case?

There are several Florida state and federal maritime laws. One or more may apply to your case if you’ve been injured on a ship that was on common waters.

Jones Act

The Jones Act – also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 – provides an opportunity for injured seamen to recover compensation from their employers.

Specifically, the Jones Act extends the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to cover injured seamen and the families of fatally wounded seamen.

Under the Jones Act, injured seamen can recover maintenance and cure. Maintenance is compensation for lost wages, while cure provides compensation for medical treatment and related costs.

If a vessel is unseaworthy, an injured seaman reserves the right to file a lawsuit against their employer for negligence for additional compensation, including damages for pain and suffering.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

Most, but not all, seamen are covered by the Jones Act. Those who aren’t – including harbor workers, longshoremen, and contract workers – may be covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This is essentially the equivalent of workers’ compensation for longshoremen and other seamen. It can include compensation for injuries, illnesses, disability benefits, and lost wages.

Death on the High Seas Act

The Death on the High Seas Act applies to deaths that occur more than three miles offshore. Under the Act, surviving family members can file a claim if another person’s negligence or intentionally wrongful actions caused the death.

Negligence

While negligence isn’t a maritime law, it can be a cause of action utilized by civilians who are injured on the high seas. This is particularly true in cases involving cruise ship accidents. If you get hurt in a maritime because someone else is negligent, you reserve the right to file a lawsuit against them and seek compensation for your resulting injuries and trauma. Traditionally, these claims are brought under state law.

How Much Is My Maritime Accident Case Worth?

Several factors will be used to determine the amount of money you might get by filing a maritime injury claim.

  • What types of injuries did you suffer in the maritime accident?
  • What maritime and admiralty laws apply to your situation?
  • How has your ability to work changed since your maritime accident?
  • Did your accident aggravate pre-existing medical issues?
  • What steps have you taken to mitigate your maritime injuries?
  • How old are you?
  • What are your related out-of-pocket costs?

The best way to understand what your case might be worth is by speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney near you in St. Petersburg. Call Lopez Accident Injury Lawyers to arrange a time for a free consultation now.

Common Maritime Accident Injuries

Seamen and civilians at sea or in shipyards can sustain severe, life-changing injuries when they’re involved in an accident. These accidents can include slips and falls, being struck by cargo or falling objects, electrocution, or falls from heights.

Some commonly reported maritime accident injuries include:

Always seek medical treatment immediately after you’ve been injured onboard a vessel off the coast of St. Petersburg. Prompt care can help to eliminate the risk of serious complications, infections, and death. Your visit can also help to establish a causal link between the accident and your trauma.

What’s the Statute of Limitations for Maritime Injury Lawsuits in Florida?

The amount of time that will apply to your maritime accident case will depend on which law governs.

When Florida personal injury law applies, you’ll typically have two years from the date of your maritime accident to file a lawsuit. Negligence-based claims under state law used to have a four-year deadline, but it was shortened on March 24, 2023. Thus, if your St. Petersburg maritime incident occurred after that time, you should file a lawsuit within the two-year timeframe.

When federal maritime or admiralty law applies, you’ll generally have three years from the date of your accident to file a claim for damages.

It’s important to take prompt action after you’ve been hurt in a maritime accident near St. Petersburg, Florida. Once the applicable statute of limitations expires, you’ll lose the right to recover compensation for your injuries and suffering. Plus, important pieces of evidence can get lost or forgotten as time goes by. Evidence that remains becomes less reliable and persuasive. As a result, your fight for compensation may not be as strong as it could have been.

Protect yourself by enlisting the help of our maritime accident attorneys in St. Petersburg as soon as you can.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced St. Petersburg Maritime Accident Lawyer

Were you recently injured on a ship on the open seas or while it was docked near St. Petersburg, Florida? Whether you’re a seaman or a civilian, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the trauma you’ve endured.

Our experienced St. Petersburg maritime accident attorneys can help you work toward a meaningful financial recovery.

We’re well-versed in maritime law and will be ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone who might try to stand between you and the compensation you deserve – including employers, insurance companies, and negligent vessel operators.

Visit Our Personal Injury Office in St. Petersburg, FL

Lopez Accident Injury Attorneys
700 7th Ave N Suite B St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 933-0015

We are available 24/7 to take your call; contact us today.

Our personal injury law firm in St. Petersburg, FL also provides: