Maritime Injury Lawyers in Miami, Florida
Experienced representation for maritime injury claims in Florida and beyond
Florida is well-known for its ample beaches, including all sorts of boating and water activities. However, when you or a loved one get hurt while out at sea, a nice day can turn into a tragic one – and it is crucial to have the right representation on your side.
Hickey Law Firm is a nationally-recognized firm for their work in maritime injury law, including boat and other watercraft accidents. Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey is double board certified by The Florida Bar in Civil Trial and Admiralty and Maritime Law, distinctions held by few attorneys in Florida. He is also board certified in Civil Trial by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). If you were harmed in any type of accident out on the water, get in touch with our personal injury attorneys today.
WAS A LAWYER FOR THE CRUISE LINES. NOW A LAWYER FOR YOU ®
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is admiralty and maritime law?
- What types of maritime accidents does your law firm handle?
- Am I eligible for compensation if I was injured on a cruise ship?
- What kind of evidence is needed for my Florida maritime injury case?
- What is the statute of limitations for my maritime injury case?
- What is the value of my Florida maritime injury claim?
- Do you have a maritime injury lawyer near me?
What is admiralty and maritime law?
Admiralty and maritime law is a specific body of law that governs injuries on ships or boats in navigable waterways or bodies of water. Under admiralty law, ship owners and operators have a duty of reasonable care to all passengers and crew. In the event of an injury accident, a passenger may be able to bring a personal injury claim against the ship owner. Maritime law applies to private entities such as the owners, operators, and employees of cruise ships. It also applies to the clients of ships, including passengers and shipping interests.
Maritime law covers issues that happen at sea along with land-based activities that are maritime in character. For example, if you are injured while on a shore excursion associated with a cruise line, maritime law will likely apply. As with all branches of the law, however, there are often complexities involved in maritime law cases. The best way to determine how to proceed with your claim is through a one-on-one consultation with an experienced Florida maritime law attorney like Jack Hickey and his team.
WHEN PEOPLE NEED A SPECIALIST IN LIFE CHANGING INJURIES,
PEOPLE CHOOSE HICKEY LAW FIRM.
What types of maritime accidents does your law firm handle?
The attorneys at Hickey Law Firm handle all manner of maritime accidents and injuries throughout Florida. We help clients who have sustained injuries from accidents including:
- Wakeboarding/kneeboarding
- Kiteboarding
- Canoes and kayaks
- Pontoon boats
- Houseboats
- SCUBA diving
No matter how – or where – your accident and injuries happened, the attorneys at Hickey Law Firm are here to help you recover compensation for your losses.
What Is The Death On The High Seas Act?
Why You Need a Maritime Lawyer for Cruise Ship Injuries
Introduction to Maritime Law for Cruise Ship Accidents
Am I eligible for compensation if I was injured on a cruise ship?
Cruise ship owners and operators owe passengers a duty of care. It is the responsibility of every cruise line to ensure that no unreasonable risks are present on a vessel that can cause injury to a passenger. If you or someone you love has been injured on a cruise because of an unreasonable risk or the negligent actions of a cruise employee or another passenger, it may be possible to file a personal injury claim against the cruise line.
Cruise lines, including Carnival Corporation (Carnival Cruise Lines), Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Lines are large corporations with extensive resources and will vigorously defend their interests in court. It is best to seek legal counsel from an experienced maritime attorney from Hickey Law Firm if you are planning on filing suit against a cruise operator for cruise ship accidents or a cruise ship assaults. We fight for YOU, the seriously injured person – and we’re ready to take on the cruise lines to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.
What kind of evidence is needed for my Florida maritime injury case?
When you are injured on a boat, Jet Ski, or out on the water, liability must be established in order to seek proper compensation. Our attorneys do this by gathering evidence such as photos or video of the event, witness statements, emergency and medical reports, and your own recounting of events. An investigation is often required to gather appropriate evidence, which may involve the hiring of experts and other professionals. Gathering evidence is something best left in the hands of an experienced maritime law attorney. We will provide you with a list of useful documents you can bring to an initial consultation to help with this process.
What is the statute of limitations for my maritime injury case?
The “statute of limitations” for a claim is a general term that means the time within which you have to file a lawsuit. Generally, for maritime seaman’s claims, the statute is three years; for passengers it is one year. Generally, in Florida, for general negligence, it is four years; for wrongful death, it is two years; and for medical malpractice, it is two years. As you can see, this can be confusing without the help of experienced legal counsel.
The only way to stop the clock on the statute of limitations, or as the law says, “toll the statute,” is to file a lawsuit. You cannot toll the statute just by reporting the accident. You have to file your claim. That means you must contact an attorney in time for him or her to evaluate and investigate the claim and to prepare and file a complaint in court. If you wait until the day the statute runs out or even the day before, it may be too late to recover compensation for your injuries.
The best way to determine the statute of limitations is to call an attorney and to tell him or her about your case. The team at Hickey Law Firm can advise you about the time limit within which you must file a claim.
MAKING OUR WORLD SAFER ONE CASE AT A TIME ®
What is the value of my Florida maritime injury claim?
Depending on which area of law your maritime accident case falls under, you may be entitled to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages and future loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Property loss associated with the accident
In cases of wrongful death, our attorneys also seek funeral and burial expenses, among other damages. The best way to learn what you may be entitled to seek through a maritime injury claim is through a consultation with an experienced attorney at Hickey Law Firm.
Do you have a maritime injury lawyer near me?
Hickey Law Firm is located at 12150 SW 128th Ct, Suite 225, in Miami, right off the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, close to the Miami Executive Airport. We serve the seriously injured in Miami, throughout Florida, and nationwide. If you are too injured to travel, we can come to you, or schedule a phone or video conference instead.
Lawyers for people with life changing injuries®
Your Florida maritime injury law firm
Why choose Hickey Law to represent me in my maritime injury case?
When maritime law applies, call the maritime law specialists.
Best Law Firms®, Admiralty & Maritime (Top Tier)
JOHN H. (JACK) HICKEY
Best Lawyers in America®, Admiralty and Maritime (Top Tier)
Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Admiralty and Maritime Law
Past Chair of Admiralty Section of American Association for Justice (AAJ)
Past Chair of Admiralty Law Committee of The Florida Bar
Author of over 30 maritime law papers presented to attorneys at legal conferences.
Former defense lawyer for cruise lines, marine insurance companies, and P&l Clubs.
Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence Award for Transportation / Maritime Law, 2024
Legal Luminaries Award in Maritime Law, 2024
If you or a loved one were injured in a maritime accident anywhere in Florida, contact the Miami-based injury attorneys at Hickey Firm today. We protect your legal rights and always work with your best interests in mind. We represent honest, seriously injured people in maritime accidents and a wide variety of other cases. We file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of families who have lost loved ones, and we fight for the compensation to which you are entitled.
You can reach us by calling 305-371-8000 or filling out our contact form to discuss your claim. We'll help you determine if you have a case and answer any of your questions. All initial consultations are free, and every case is taken on a contingency basis.
Admiralty and Maritime Blog Posts
Father 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…
URGENT UPDATE: Dept. of Homeland Security Involved in Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Sea Investigation
The Dept. of Homeland Security is now contacting the families of the child victims and making them aware that their children were filmed and photographed on the Royal Caribbean (RCCL) Symphony of the Seas cruise ship. Hickey Law Firm is speaking with multiple parents of children who were on board the ship. If you were…
Who Is Liable for a Florida Boating Accident?
Florida means boating all year round. Boats get into and cause accidents just like cars and trucks. The injuries we see in boating accidents can be similar to or somewhat the same as the injuries we see in car and truck accidents. When a boat collides with another boat or collides with a fixed object,…
Maritime Crash Leaves Two Dead Near Lover’s Key
A man and woman were killed after being struck by a boat while riding a jet ski on Friday. WinkNews.com reports that the payer was jet-skiing near Lover’s Key at about 12 p.m. Friday when a jet ski reportedly collided with a boat. The report says that a witness saw both the jet ski and the…
More Details On 12-Year-Old Killed in Maritime Crash
A maritime collision in Brevard County left a 12-year-old boy dead on Friday. Now, more details relating to the incident are available. FloridaToday.com reports that the crash occurred at about 10:30 a.m. Indian River Lagoon near Suntreeat a riverfront near a residential area. Child killed in Indian River crash between personal watercraft and boat near…
Man On Trial for Killing 12-Year-Old In Maritime Incident Granted Request to Return to Scene
A man who is facing prison time as a result of a maritime collision that resulted in the death of a 12-year-old girl is asking the judge in the case to allow him to return to the scene of the crash. Fox13News.com reports that the accused, Andrew Miltner, is currently in detention on charges relating…
Florida Has Become Nation’s Epicenter of Maritime Crashes
According to a new report, Florida is one of the most dangerous places in the country to be a boater. MiamiHerald.com reports that the state has seen a dramatic increase in maritime crashes and deaths over the past year. The epicenter of the injuries and deaths is in South Florida and the Florida Keys, the…
Miami Entrepreneur Dead After Crash Involving Boat and Personal Watercraft
A Miami entrepreneur died in a boating collision near Miami Beach on Sunday. MSN.com reports that on Sunday 42-year-old Aaron Hirschhorn went for an excursion on his hoverboard. His wife became concerned after he did not return her communications and posted an urgent message on Instagram asking the couple’s friends in Miami Beach to contact…
Proposed Law Named for Boy Who Died in Boating Accident Could Help Make the Waters Safer
In November 2020 we blogged about a tragedy in which a 10-year-old boy was killed during a boating accident in Sarasota. At the time it was not entirely clear how Ethan Issacs died. But as details of his death have come to light as his parents are also pushing for legislation that would help prevent a…
News: 2 people rescued from Biscayne Bay after boat capsizes
BISCAYNE BAY, FL – Emergency crews responded to Biscayne Bay Thursday morning after a boat accident that sent two people into the water. WPLG reports the two were on a 17-foot boat that was reported capsized at about 4:30 a.m. According to the Coast Guard, the two people were found floating in the water by a…
Tour Boat Injuries
Tour boats are popular in and around Miami. From dolphin tours, tours to view the sunrise and sunset, and those designed for families with children, boat tours offer a unique way to see and experience the beauty surrounding our city. However, while designed for recreation and largely considered safe, it is possible to sustain an…
Two Rescued After Boats Collide and Capsize in Tampa
Two boats collided in Tampa Monday, leaving two people in need of rescuing. WFLA.com reports that a 24-foot boat and a 19-foot boat ran into each other near Gandy Bridge, overturning both of the vessels. News footage showed multiple marine police boats in the area of the crash, with the capsized boats in the background.…
Runaway Boat Crashes into Residential Docks in Palm Beach County Neighborhood
A runaway boat caused significant consternation in a Palm Beach Gardens community on Sunday after it crashed into multiple residential docks. WPBF.com reports that the boat was caught on surveillance camera crashing into the docks including the private dock of Vincent and Cynthia Pellerito. Apparently, someone had been piloting the boat and then lost control of…
Cruise Injury Statute of Limitation Fast Approaching
When the coronavirus pandemic brought the world to a halt in March and April 2020 the cruise industry was not spared. Most major cruise ships were grounded in the wake of the virus’ spread and have remained so ever since. But despite the global shutdown, the statute of limitation for filing cruise injury claims continues…
Foundation Named for FIU Student Brings Awareness to Boating Safety
A foundation named after a Florida International University student who was killed in a boating crash is now working to raise awareness relating to boating safety. CBS Miami reports that 20-year-old Monica Burguera died in a 2006 boating crash when she and her friends rented a boat to go to the South Florida regatta. On…