Posts by Jack Hickey
Fighting for Survivors of Sexual Assault on Cruise Ships
Hickey Law Firm, America’s Maritime Law Firm, now handles and has handled for over 20 years claims by cruise passengers and crewmembers of sexual assault onboard cruise ships. We have had these claims against almost every major cruise line in the world. John H. (Jack) Hickey, the founder of the firm, represented cruise lines for…
Read MoreClearwater Memorial Causeway Fatal Boat Collision – What Victims Need to Know
A deadly boat crash took place over the weekend close to the Clearwater Memorial Causeway. According to early reports, a recreational powerboat traveling at high speeds struck a Clearwater Ferry, leading to multiple severe injuries and one fatality. The tragic crash shows how horribly things can go wrong when a boat operator is negligent or…
Read MoreWhen a Dream Cruise Becomes a Nightmare: Legal Insights from the Drake Passage Incident
A dramatic video showed footage of the harrowing scene on Quark Expeditions’ Ocean Explorer that took place in March 2025. Rough seas sent passengers flying into walls and sliding across the floor as 30 to 40-foot-tall waves battered the ship for around 48 hours. The Drake Passage is notoriously a rough part of the sea,…
Read MoreCruise Ships Forced to Stay at Sea as Tropical Cyclone Alfred Nears Brisbane
In early March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a powerful storm that formed in the Coral Sea, headed straight for Queensland’s coast. With wind speeds reaching nearly 100 miles per hour, the storm brought heavy rains, high winds, and dangerous waves to the entire region. Because of these hazardous conditions, the Port of Brisbane was closed for…
Read MoreFourteen-Year-Old Boy Sexually Abused By Two Men on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
A fourteen-year-old boy was reportedly sexually abused in the sauna of the Independence of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Two men are accused of various offenses against the boy. The allegations are that one of the perpetrators forced the boy to touch him while he masturbated in front of him. And other allegations…
Read MoreHow Is Fault Determined in a Multi-Car Accident in Miami?
Multi-car accidents happen all the time. We can untangle the truth about what happened and who caused it. We do this with the videos, who said what (witnesses), physical evidence at the scene (skid marks, pieces of cars, clothing), 911 recordings of people who call in, and experts. If you’ve been involved in a multi-car…
Read MoreDo I Have to Go to Court After a Car Accident in Miami?
No. But if you are prepared to go all the way, you will get the best settlement. “How can I be prepared to go all the way”? By hiring a specialist, a lawyer who is Board Certified as a Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar and by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). That…
Read MoreHow Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Miami?
Car accident? Take action now. Call an experienced car accident lawyer. “I made a claim with the insurance company. Isn’t that enough? Aren’t they on my side”? No. They are not on your side. And that is not enough. “But what’s the rush? Someone told me I have two years to file a lawsuit, and…
Read MoreHow Does A Car Accident Settlement Work?
If you’ve been in a car accident, you’re probably wondering how long it will take to get compensated for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. The good news? Most car accident claims are settled without ever going to court. That means that the chances are good that you won’t have to wait years for your case…
Read MoreCunard’s Refurbished Queen Elizabeth to Spend Season in Miami: What Does This Mean for Injured Passengers?
Cunard, a UK-based cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation, has announced that it is refurbishing the Queen Elizabeth ship before it moves to Miami for a full season. From a Press Release of Cunard: The luxurious 2,000 guest ship will undergo a significant refit from February 25 to March 13, 2025, in Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard…
Read MorePolice Allege Keys Charter Boat Captain Was Drunk and High After Slamming Vessel into Bridge
Police arrested Florida Keys fishing boat captain Laurence Lewis, 42, of Nauti Tails Fishing Charters, in connection with a devastating boat accident back in July. Authorities report that Lewis was drunk on tequila and high on drugs when he slammed his boat into the South Pine Channel Bridge in the Lower Keys around 1:30 am…
Read MoreCollier County Airboat Collision Injures 24 People
On December 13, two airboats collided in Collier County, injuring at least 24 people and sending 16 to the hospital. Per 7 News Miami: Multiple agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, responded to the scene of the crash south of U.S. 41 East at Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours, Friday afternoon. “Looks like…
Read MoreTragic Fort Lauderdale Marina Boat Explosion Kills One
A tragic accident at Broward Marina in Fort Lauderdale killed a 41-year-old man from Quebec this week and severely injured six others. The boat was reportedly at a fuel station just before 6 p.m. on December 23, 2024, when it exploded and burst into flames. A pontoon boat nearby also caught fire as the flames…
Read MoreHarley-Davidson Recall Sparks Concerns: Find Out If Your Motorcycle is Safe
Harley-Davidson has issued a recall for over 41,600 motorcycles. The reported problems can potentially cause a short circuit that can lead to the loss of propulsion and power. According to the notice, this issue can increase the risk of a crash. Harley owners need to check to find out if their motorcycle is included in…
Read MoreHow To Choose A Boating Accident Lawyer – 5 key questions
Seriously injured in a boating accident? If so, you need a lawyer. But you need a specialist. Why? Because this area of the law is highly specialized. Maritime law applies if the accident involved a small boat, large boat, yacht, cruise ship, jet ski, and any other “vessel” which was in any “navigable water”. And…
Read MoreCruise Ship Worker Hid Cameras in Guests’ Rooms
Cruise ship worker Arvin Joseph Mirasol received a 30-year sentence this week after pleading guilty to producing child pornography. From December 2023 until his arrest in March 2024, the 34-year-old citizen of the Philippines installed hidden cameras in guests’ bathrooms aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas. It’s possible that Mirasol filmed hundreds of…
Read MoreFather and Son Killed in Tragic Personal Watercraft Crash in Marathon in The Florida Keys
Officials reported that a fatal personal watercraft accident claimed the lives of a 47-year-old man and his 9-year-old son this week in Marathon in the Florida Keys. The crash took place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, when the small watercraft collided with a seawall in a Boot Key Harbor canal. Reports indicate that…
Read MoreDefective Cruise Ship Doors Are Injuring Passengers
Each year, people flock to cruise ships to get away, relax and embark on an adventure. In fact, in 2023, more than 30 million people boarded cruise ships to enjoy their vacations. Sadly, for some unlucky travelers, these trips leave them injured or worse because of negligent cruise operators and faulty equipment. According to recent…
Read MoreCPSC Determines Amazon is Liable for Defects in the Products it Distributes
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that Amazon is responsible under federal safety law for hazardous products sold by third-party sellers on its platform. This decision, following an administrative law judge’s ruling, mandates Amazon to develop plans to notify purchasers and the public about these dangerous items, including faulty carbon monoxide detectors,…
Read MoreDrownings in Man-Made Lakes in Florida
Florida is known for its many man-made lakes, including Lake Osceola, Laguna Solé, and Rodman Reservoir. Unfortunately, these artificial bodies of water, created for various purposes such as residential developments, recreational activities, and water management, can pose significant dangers to individuals who use or live near them. If you’ve lost a loved one to a…
Read MoreNorris Cut Inlet Boat Accidents
Norris Cut is a waterway located in Florida, acting as a natural passage between Fisher Island and Virginia Key. Located just south of the main channel that leads into the Port of Miami, Norris Cut has a rich history and plays an important role in the area’s infrastructure. Geologically, Norris Cut is a relatively young…
Read MoreBaker’s Haulover Inlet Boat Accidents
Baker’s Haulover Inlet is a popular inlet located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway and sits between Bal Harbour and Sunny Isles Beach. The inlet is known for its strong currents and can be challenging to navigate, especially during high tide or rough weather conditions. It’s a popular…
Read MoreHaulover Inlet Boat Accidents
Haulover Inlet is a popular inlet located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway and separates the barrier island of Bal Harbour from the mainland. The inlet is renowned for its strong currents and is a favorite spot for many for boating, fishing, and water sports. It’s also known…
Read MoreGovernment Cut Inlet Boat Accidents
Government Cut inlet in Miami is an important maritime artery, serving as the primary access point to the bustling Port of Miami. Carved through the barrier islands of Miami Beach, this man-made channel connects the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean with the waters of Biscayne Bay. Its strategic location not only facilitates the smooth…
Read MoreMedical Alert Device Wrongful Death Claim: Can a Medical Device’s Failure Be Wrongful Death?
Medscope America Corp. and Avantguard Monitoring Centers LLC settled a lawsuit brought by a man in Georgia who believes his mother’s distress call on such a device was handled in a negligent manner. She did not get the medical care she needed, and that led to her death. In this case, Loretta Lewis used the…
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