What Is Admiralty Law? How Admiralty Law Affects Your Case

If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship or while working at a port, you might not know what steps to take. These accidents don’t exactly follow typical personal injury rules. Instead, they fall under a specialized legal system called admiralty law.

In this article, we’ll explain the basics of admiralty law, the types of cases it covers, and how it can help you seek the compensation you may deserve after an accident. 

Key Takeaways

• Admiralty law covers legal issues and injuries that happen on oceans, seas, and other navigable waters.
• Most cruise-related injuries fall under federal admiralty jurisdiction, not state courts.
• Laws like the Jones Act and Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) offer protection and compensation for passengers and crew.
• A skilled maritime lawyer can help you file the right claim and protect your rights.

What Is Admiralty Law?

Admiralty law, also called maritime law, includes both international and national laws and governs legal matters that happen on navigable waters. It covers everything from cruise ship injuries to problems with international shipping and maritime commerce. These cases are usually handled by federal courts, not state courts. Some cases may also be elevated to the Supreme Court. If you’ve been injured at sea, maritime admiralty law decides the jurisdiction for your case, what rules apply, and the compensation you might deserve. 

Here are some of the key maritime laws that may affect your claim:

Jones Act

The Jones Act is a federal law that protects people who work on ships, like cruise crew. It allows them to take legal action against their employers if they are injured due to unsafe working conditions.

Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA)

If someone dies more than three nautical miles offshore due to negligence, their family may file a wrongful death claim under DOHSA in federal district court. This law is often used in fatal cruise ship and offshore accidents.

Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act

This law helps injured dock workers and harbor employees, especially those who aren’t considered seamen, to get medical benefits. It also allows them to seek compensation without proving fault. It works outside the Jones Act but within the wider general maritime law framework.

Public Vessels Act

If you were injured by or aboard a government-owned ship, the Public Vessels Act lets you bring claims against the U.S. in admiralty jurisdiction, as long as you follow special procedures.

International Maritime Laws and Conventions

Cruise ships and foreign-flagged vessels are also governed by international law, including:

• SOLAS – Overseen by the International Maritime Organization, this law sets fire and safety rules at sea.
• MARPOL – This law aims to protect the maritime environment from pollution.
• UNCLOS – This law defines global maritime jurisdiction and navigation rights.

Understanding these laws is key to winning your maritime claim. That’s why working with a knowledgeable maritime lawyer like those at Louis A. Vucci P.A. can make all the difference.

What Types of Harm Does Admiralty Law Protect Against?

Whether you're a passenger on a cruise or a crew member on duty, maritime laws make sure you're not left without recourse when someone’s negligence causes injury or loss.

Here are the most common types of harm covered by admiralty and maritime law:

• Passenger Injuries – These injuries include when a passenger falls on wet decks, suffers from food poisoning, suffers burns, drowns, or is assaulted.
• Crew Member Injuries – These are accidents involving unsafe work conditions or employer negligence, covered by the Jones Act.
• Cruise Ship Medical Negligence– These include misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or medical negligence by onboard medical staff.
• Wrongful Death at Sea – These include claims around wrongful death and other claims under DOHSA.
• Unseaworthy Vessels – These are claims involving faulty equipment or poor vessel maintenance.
• Negligent Security and Environmental Hazards – These claims include inadequate safety, surveillance, or toxic exposure under environmental law.

Compensation You May Be Owed Under Admiralty and Maritime Law

Victims of maritime injuries may be entitled to a variety of different types of compensation. This depends on whether they are passengers, crew members, or harbor workers, as well as the specific facts of the case. Compensation may include:

• Medical Expenses – This compensation includes emergency care, surgeries, rehab, and ongoing treatment.
• Lost Wages – This compensation includes pay lost during recovery and future lost earning capacity.
• Pain and  Suffering– This compensation includes physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life.
• Wrongful Death Benefits – These benefits included funeral costs, loss of companionship, and financial support for the surviving family.
• Punitive Damages – Although this is rare, this penalty covers gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Do You Need an Admiralty Law Firm?

If you've been injured at sea or in port, admiralty law likely applies to your case. These laws are complex and are often handled in federal courts with exclusive admiralty jurisdiction, rather than in state courts. That’s why even if you’re only seeking information, it’s wise to consult a qualified maritime lawyer. They can help you understand your rights and whether your case meets the criteria for a maritime claim.

Maritime lawsuits require a firm that understands the rules of admiralty law, including special procedures, short deadlines, and complex international laws. Your lawyer will help prove fault and choose the right court, whether that means a federal district court a different venue. At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we guide passengers, crew, and harbor workers through every step.

How a Maritime Attorney Can Help You

An experienced maritime attorney can guide you, protect your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you may deserve. Here’s what an admiralty lawyer can do for you:

• Your attorney can explain your rights under maritime law. 
• An admiralty lawyer can handle claims in federal or admiralty court. 
• Your lawyer can also gather evidence and conduct legal research into your case to determine who is liable. 
• Your attorney can help you navigate through international and U.S. maritime laws. 
• Your attorney can also deal with cruise lines and insurance companies. 
• An admiralty lawyer can help you file claims before deadlines pass. 
• Your lawyer can also negotiate or litigate for the maximum compensation available. 

A leading law firm in maritime and admiralty law can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

What to Do If You're Injured on a Cruise Ship

Getting hurt on a cruise ship, whether from a slip and fall, medical negligence, or unsafe conditions, can lead to a complicated legal case. Many of these claims fall under admiralty jurisdiction and must be filed in federal court under strict deadlines. Here are steps you can take after a cruise ship injury:

1. Report the incident immediately to the cruise staff and ensure an official report is filed.
2. Take photos or videos of where the injury occurred and any visible hazards.
3. Get medical treatment on the ship and request copies of medical records and bills.
4. Collect the contact information of witnesses who saw the accident or its aftermath.
5. Avoid signing waivers or giving recorded statements without speaking to a lawyer. 
6. Review your cruise ticket contract: it often lists where and how lawsuits must be filed.
7. Contact an experienced maritime lawyer who knows how to handle admiralty and maritime claims.
8. Act quickly; cruise injury claims often have shorter statutes of limitations than land-based cases.

Contact Our Admiralty Law Firm for Help With Your Maritime Case

Whether you're a passenger, crew member, or dockworker, understanding admiralty law is important when injuries happen at sea. These laws decide how your case is handled, what compensation you deserve, and where your claim must be filed.

At Louis A. Vucci P.A., we focus on international maritime law and know how to fight for your rights under complex federal and international regulations. If you’ve been harmed on the water or the port, contact our cruise ship injury lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Related Reading:

• What Is a Maritime Lawyer and What Do They Do?
• Understanding Cruise Ship Laws and Regulations