Admiralty lawsuits are initiated by parties (i.e., people or corporations or other legal entities such as cities) when they have a grievance that would be governed by the laws of admiralty. These lawsuits seek a remedy that may include compensation for damages or simply the correction of a problem (e.g., clean-up of an oil spill from a tanker).
Events on Navigable Waters
Admiralty lawsuits are often based on injuries or illnesses incurred by individuals who were part of a maritime setting. Events that occur on "navigable waters" are at the foundation of admiralty lawsuits, and it is not always clear whether the waters in question are navigable. Some of the incidents in admiralty lawsuits involve:
- oceans
- seas
- bays
- marinas
- lakes and rivers which are large enough for commercial shipping or recreational boating
Difficult Cases
A more difficult question about navigable waters regards the territorial waters of a nation. There is no one law or guideline for determining how far from a shoreline a country's territorial waters extend; in some places the border is three miles out, but in other cases a different distance is used.
Even more challenging is defining the boundary between the territorial waters of Florida/the United States versus "the high seas." This boundary is determined by the Gulf Stream — which is constantly moving. Similar situations exist around the world.
The Plaintiffs in Admiralty Lawsuits
The plaintiffs (that is, the individuals who have been harmed) in admiralty lawsuits have included private parties (e.g., swimmers, passengers, guests, water skiers, kayakers) such as those hurt in accidents involving:
- boats — motorboats, sailboats, dinner cruises, water taxis, etc.
- personal water craft
- recreational divers
- cruise ships
Employee Plaintiffs
Other plaintiffs are employees who work on board or on shore contributing to the voyage of a vessel, including:
- sailors
- crew members
- officers
- longshoremen
- harbor pilots
- harbor welders
- shore-side mechanics
- commercial divers
Anyone who suffers an injury or becomes seriously ill due to conditions or events on navigable waters may want to consider an admiralty lawsuit against a party whose negligence, recklessness or intentional harm contributed to the injury.
Learn More about Admiralty Lawsuits
If you or a loved one has been inured and you would like more information about how to pursue a legal remedy through filing an admiralty lawsuit, contact us today. We will schedule a free consultation with an experienced admiralty attorney who will evaluate the unique circumstances of your case and fight to ensue you recover the compensation you are entitled to.