Maritime law is a complex and specialized area of law. Maritime lawyers provide legal advice and representation to individuals, companies, and other entities with maritime-related disputes or matters related to cargo shipping, recreational boating, environmental law, pollution, seamen’s rights, boat accidents, and more. If you need legal assistance related to any maritime matter, the maritime lawyers of The Krist Law Firm, P.C. can provide knowledgeable advice and representation.
What Is Maritime Law?
The area of law that governs activities that take place on the water, in ports, and along coastlines is called maritime law. As a specific branch of international law that applies to various matters, maritime law matters may include vessel construction, cargo claims, marine insurance, collisions, injuries, piracy, and oil spills. Maritime law also covers related topics such as environmental regulations and employment issues.
Maritime laws are designed to protect the safety of those on the water and minimize the potential for financial loss or injury due to negligence or criminal acts. The main source of maritime law is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which was adopted in 1982. This convention sets out the legal framework governing marine activities and international navigation, covering topics such as navigational rights and freedoms, rights of coastal states, fishing and conservation measures, resource exploration and exploitation, and deep-sea mining.
What Do Maritime Lawyers Do?
Maritime lawyers are attorneys specializing in laws governing vessels’ shipping and navigation on the open seas. These attorneys can help their clients navigate through various maritime-related legal issues, including marine insurance, maritime contracts, environmental law, and the regulation of the transportation of goods by sea.
Maritime lawyers typically represent a vessel owner or those injured at sea in litigation. For vessel owners, maritime lawyers provide legal advice on registration, taxes, maritime insurance, and maritime employment contracts. They also assist with contractual negotiations for sales, charters, and other business agreements related to a vessel.
In addition to these services, maritime lawyers help their clients navigate the complexities of liability issues when someone is injured or dies at sea. This includes seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from an injury on the water. Maritime lawyers are also knowledgeable in areas such as salvage rights, wreck removal, and other unique aspects of marine litigation.
The Krist Law Firm, P.C is a Houston, Texas personal injury firm offering representation to clients facing legal action because of personal injury.
