St. Petersburg Maritime Accident Lawyer
The maritime industry is critical to Florida’s economic and social health. Millions of people come through the state’s ports every day. And maritime workers provide invaluable services maintaining ships and ports, often in stressful conditions and dangerous weather. Even under the best of circumstances such work is dangerous and can lead to serious and possibly life-threatening injuries.
If you have been injured in a maritime accident, you have certain legal rights to seek compensation. A qualified St. Petersburg maritime accident lawyer can give you specific advice tailored to your situation. Attorney Frank D. Butler has nearly three decades of experience handling maritime accident cases, and he and his team strive to provide the highest degree of professional representation on behalf of their clients.
Have You Been Injured While Working on a Ship or in a Maritime Facility?
Maritime accidents are a catch-all term used to describe accidents that occur on a ship at sea, in a port or shipyard, or even on something like an offshore oil rig. Unlike most accidents that occur on land, maritime accidents are often governed by a special set of federal laws designed to facilitate recovery by accident victims. For example, the Jones Act protects seamen–maritime workers who primarily work on a vessel on the water–by enabling them to sue a vessel owner for a maritime accident injury. There are similar laws governing the rights of longshoremen and other maritime workers whose primary job duties are outside of ships.
The reality is that there are a number of hazards that can lead to a maritime accident. Among the more common scenarios we see are the following:
- slip and fall accidents aboard a vessel;
- people falling overboard and drowning accidents;
- vessel collisions with other ships or permanent structures, such as a dock;
- accidents that take place while being transported to a vessel or an offshore oil rig;
- shipboard explosions, fires, and chemical exposure;
- electrocution;
- equipment failure;
- food poisoning while aboard a ship;
- marina and dock accidents caused by broken mooring lines or related equipment; and
- accidents caused by falling cargo that was improperly stowed or secured.
These maritime accidents are often the result of negligence by another crew member and/or the company responsible for the vessel, dock, or marina. In some cases, defective equipment may also be the result of negligence on the part of the manufacturer. This is one reason it is crucial to work with an experienced maritime accidents attorney who can conduct a full investigation into all potential causes of an accident.
Contact Attorney Frank D. Butler Today
A maritime accident often leaves victims with unpaid medical bills and a sudden loss of income as they are unable to get back to work. If you find yourself in this position, you do have options for seeking compensation under the law. Our St. Petersburg maritime accident legal team can help. If you need to speak with an attorney, contact the offices of Frank D. Butler, P.A., today to schedule an initial consultation.
