Marine Lawyers

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Maritime law or Admiralty mean?
Ans: Admiralty Law or Maritime Law is a governing body that controls maritime activities in domestic as well as international waters. These laws include safeguarding of seamen, vessels and dealing with marine commerce in navigable waters.

2. What is the Jones Act?
Ans: The Jones Act is a federal maritime law devised to protect the interests of seamen who face injuries and accidents while on duty. It is a kind of workers insurance for merchant mariners, harbor pilots, oilrig employees among others who make their living at the sea.

3. As a seaman, do I need an admiral attorney?
Ans: If you have been injured at sea and are rejected compensation then you need an admiral attorney who will represent your lawsuit under the Jones Act or any other suitable act.

4. What is piracy?
Ans: Piracy is an act of robbery or criminal offence at sea against vessels of opposing parties or of the same nationality, by non-government entities. These entities known as pirates, engage in war-like situation acts, which include boarding, extortion, hostage taking, kidnapping for ransom, murder, robbery, sabotage, seizure of items, and intentional shipwrecking.

5. Does Maritime Law share similarities with the Law of the Sea?
Ans: No, Maritime Law is different from the Law of Sea, which is a public international law established to deal with the worlds responsibility to use the world's oceans.

6. What is the Longshoreman and Dock Workers Compensation Act?
Ans: The Longshoreman and Dock Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA) covers maritime injuries that are land based. Medical compensation and care, rehabilitation and wage compensation is assured by the act to workers who have been injured while at work.

7. What is the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)?
Ans: Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) covers measures taken to provide for families of seamen and sailor who died while at sea. The act allows families to claim compensation based on the lost crewmembers' future earning potential and the emotional hardship it suffered due to the loss of a loved one.

8. What is the difference between Maritime and Admiralty Law?
Ans: Today, both Maritime and Admiralty Law speak one language. However, during olden days when England coined the term Admiralty Law it dealt only with the oceans. The term Maritime Law covers both oceans and other navigable waters. The biggest difference is Admiralty Law cases are tried by judge while Maritime by a jury.

9. What is a Board certified maritime attorney?
Ans: A Board certified maritime attorney is a specialist lawyer accredited by a sanctioning board in his/her country as a specialist in the field of maritime lawsuits.

10. Who is considered a seaman?
Ans: A seaman is a person who is member of a crew vessel and assists in its operation, maintenance and servicing. He is also called as a sailor or a mariner.

11. What is International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG)?
Ans: The International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) was conceived in 1965 to guarantee the safety of the seas from all types of pollutions, a result of the traveling cargo. The IMDG Code is an accepted law internationally for safe transportation of dangerous goods or hazardous materials through waters.

12. What is the importance of a maritime attorney while going on a cruise?
Ans: Compensations arising from a cruise ship injury is very complicated as laws differ from country to county. Negligence, attack by co-passenger and food poisoning are the major causes for the injury while on a cruise. Since laws can be tricky, only the correct maritime attorney can advise clients on the procedure to claim compensation.

13. Who is a Maritime Expert Witness?
Ans: A Maritime Expert Witness is a very important person in the court of law since it is with his help, maritime attorneys can provide for justice to their clients. He is a person who is adept in all areas of marine law and can offer advice to the court regarding the maritime case.