St. Petersburg Admiralty Law Lawyer
Most of the time we interact with the legal system as it pertains to issues on land, such as a car accident or a homeowner’s insurance dispute. But there is a distinct body of law that applies to legal disputes that pertain to “navigable waters,” such as the oceans, lakes, or rivers. This body of law is known as admiralty or maritime law.
Admiralty law is not a subject that most lawyers have experience with. So if you do need legal advice or representation in connection with a maritime matter, it is in your best interest to seek out a qualified St. Petersburg admiralty law lawyer. Attorney Frank D. Butler has nearly 30 years of experience in admiralty and maritime law, and he and his team offers skilled, professional advice in this often complicated field.
What Does Admiralty Law Cover?
Admiralty law is something of a catch-all term used to describe a body of federal laws and international conventions and treaties that govern both private maritime business and offenses that occur on the open water. In the United States, maritime law is subject to federal jurisdiction. This means that federal courts often hear admiralty law cases, even when they touch upon matters that are traditionally handled by state courts, such as personal injury claims arising from an accident.
Some common admiralty law matters we assist clients with include:
- Boating Accidents
- Cruise Ship Accidents
- Jet Ski Accidents
- Parasailing Accidents
- Denial of Boat Insurance Claims
- Marine Salvage
- Dock and Marina Accidents
There are often specific facets of admiralty law that govern a particular case. For example, if a person is killed while a passenger on a private boat in the open waters, the Death on the High Seas Act provides an exclusive legal remedy for the family to seek compensation. Similarly, there are federal laws providing benefits to injured seamen and longshoremen who are hurt in the course of their employment.
One of the most important things to understand about admiralty law is that it can override or preempt a state law on a similar subject. This means that a person’s rights under admiralty or maritime law may differ from what state law normally provides. To give just one example, Florida normally has a four-year statute of limitations in personal injury cases. But passengers injured on a cruise ship typically have less time–in many cases just one year–to file a similar lawsuit. This is because of admiralty law.
Contact Attorney Frank D. Butler Today
If you are involved in any legal issue involving a boat, watercraft, or sailing vessel, it is safe to assume that admiralty law will affect your case in some way. That is why you should work with an attorney who understands this specialized area of the law. St. Petersburg admiralty law attorney Frank D. Butler is here to help. If you need to schedule a consultation to discuss your legal problem, call his office today at 888-BOAT-LAW.
