What is maritime personal injury law?

Maritime personal injury law is a specialized and unique area of law that applies primarily to injury or death cases that occur on or along the navigable waters of the United States, including Washington’s lakes, rivers, and oceans. Maritime personal injury law is based on the admiralty laws of the United States, which were developed to protect and compensate seamen and passengers for any kind of injury or death suffered at sea. Maritime personal injury law is distinct from traditional personal injury law because seamen and passengers often face extremely hazardous and difficult working conditions, often with minimal safety protection. Because of this, mariners have certain legal rights that others do not, and these rights are outlined in maritime law with regards to expenses, medical care, and wages due to the injured or deceased party. This is in addition to any potential compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, or loss of earning capacity. In Washington, maritime personal injury law falls under the jurisdiction of the federal court. This means the case must be filed in the federal court system, either in the Western District of Washington or the Eastern District of Washington, and the injured person or the survivors of a deceased person must prove that the accident was caused by someone’s negligence or misconduct. It can also include cases of employer’s liability.

Related FAQs

What are the differences between maritime law and federal maritime law?
What if I get hurt while working on a cruise ship?
What is the ‘No-Fault Law’ and how does it affect my claim?
If a vessel is uninsured, who pays for my medical expenses and lost wages after a maritime injury?
What is maritime personal injury law?
What if I am injured due to a dangerous condition on board a vessel?
What is a ‘Jones Act Seaman’ and how does it affect my claim?
How can I ensure that my rights are protected when filing a claim for a maritime injury?
Do I have to pay legal fees if I win my maritime injury case?
What if I have been injured while working aboard a vessel?

What is maritime personal injury law?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts