Any issue that causes a situation or an incident at oceans, during a voyage, or on waterways, will need the services of a legal professional lawyer. Maritime Lawyers are specialists in maritime law and are employed to safeguard the legal rights of the seamen who are wronged in some way or injured within the boundaries of the seas. Maritime attorneys ensure that any problems regarding maritime law proceed fairly in admiralty courts. 

What is Maritime Law: 

Maritime Law is a catch-all term for the laws and agreements that govern activities and nautical operations on the seas and oceans. This is a body that governs how businesses and people should carry out their matters on the waters globally. Also known as admiralty law, this law applies to anyone who sets off on the high seas. It regulates numerous possible occurrences and events, including navigation, commerce, leisure travel, lost cargo, and the interaction between the seamen and the employers. Some maritime lawyers call admiralty law ‘wet law’. 

Through International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations issues conventions that are enforced by the navies and coastal guards of most signatory countries. The IMO is responsible for the International Maritime Convention on Standards of Training Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. 

What Does a Maritime Lawyer Do? 

A person who specializes in that branch of law that directly deals with the marine sector is known as a Maritime Lawyer. All issues pertaining to maritime law, also called admiralty law, should be focused upon by such attorneys. Their duties revolve around the handling of legal matters relating to the ships registered in the USA. 

Maritime Lawyers interpret law, regulations, and rulings regarding maritime matters. They advise and represent their clients on claim liability, business transactions, and maritime laws on the whole. They initiate a lawsuit or gather pieces of evidence to defend their clients from lawsuits by government agencies. 

On the other hand, maritime piracy lawyers deal with Maritime piracy on the high seas. 

What Does a Maritime Lawyer Need to Know?

A maritime lawyer needs to have a firm grasp on all the aspects of compensation, especially in cases when a seaman gets injured and claims for compensation for the occurred accident. Any kind of injury, wrongful death, conflict, or dispute between a passenger and shipowner is taken to the maritime lawyers. 

Maritime lawyers should have a deep insight into federal, state, and international laws. To be more specific, a maritime lawyer needs to thoroughly understand matters concerning marine pollution, marine insurance, employee compensation, and an added knowledge of anti-bribery provision and foreign corruption laws would also serve as a bonus. 

When Do You Need a Maritime Lawyer?

Maritime laws can sometimes be very difficult to understand. 

It’s always better to have the number of a maritime lawyer in your contacts if you have a business by the seas and often travel on ships. On the safe side, you should always be prepared before you encounter an accident or see a situation building in which you fear a lawsuit against yourself. 

If you’re a seaman, then you should know why and how to make a claim for property loss, claim liability, and if you want to file a lawsuit against an organization or a person for a loss or injustice faced. 

How to Choose a Maritime Lawyer?

Because admiralty law can become quite difficult and complex, it’s best to seek a lawyer who’s well versed in his field and knows how to protect your rights. 

There are a number of factors that you should consider when looking to hire a maritime lawyer. Some of the most important things that you MUST consider are:

• Check the lawyers’ credentials

When you begin reviewing the biographies of maritime lawyers, look for his areas of practice. Choose the one who specializes in cases that relate to yours. You can check whether he has a specific maritime law specialty or not. Also, refer to his alma mater and see if he graduated with a strong maritime law course. If he/she has listed the number of cases they handled successfully, then that’s a bonus!

• Contact the state bar associations

Contacting the state bar associations is a good way that can tell you a lot about the lawyer. You can enquire anyone whether there were any complaints filed against the lawyer you’re planning to consider. While a complaint isn’t necessarily a criterion to rule out that lawyers as an option, but it might help you decide between two lawyers. 

• Ask your peers

You must have a similar circle that is associated with work on the seas. You can ask your friends, co-workers, family, or an acquaintance who might know one. 

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Maritime Injury Lawyer?

The cost of hiring a maritime lawyer is different and varies from lawyer to lawyer and case-to-case. In a contingent fee agreement, as per the American Bar Association, a client is responsible for paying the attorney’s fee only when the case is successful. If your case results in success, then the client recovers a court award or a settlement. But if you lose the case, then neither the attorney nor the client recovers anything. 

ABA reports that attorneys usually take up to 40% of the final settlement as their fees. 

Conclusion

One of the most important things prior to hiring a maritime lawyer is being able to trust your instincts. If for any reason, you do not feel comfortable with the lawyer, then it might be a sign to put him off your list of potential lawyers. 

You’ll have to work closely with the lawyer, so make sure you’re 100% positive about why you’re choosing the one you’re choosing.