Maritime law applies to the protection of the rights of passengers and crew on ships. If a maritime accident occurs that causes injuries to a passenger or crew member, the victim may be entitled to receive compensation from the vessel owner. This compensation may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost earnings, among other factors. Madalon Law takes maritime accident cases seriously, and handles cases in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and elsewhere. Read on to learn more about maritime law and how it can help you.

The federal government has jurisdiction over maritime law disputes. These cases can arise from piracy, criminal activity, and a wide variety of factual scenarios. Federal courts generally have jurisdiction over disputes involving maritime vessels, but state courts may still hear some maritime cases. For example, the federal court does not have jurisdiction over a seaman’s case if he or she was injured while at sea while in the service of his or her employer.

The first codification of maritime law dates from the late Renaissance. Portugal and Spain both adopted papal bulls that divided the world’s oceans between their respective countries, which solidified their claims to Columbus’ New World discovery. Later, in 1608, Dutch jurist Hugo Grotius and English academic John Selden argued that states could have sovereign rights over certain areas of the ocean. Maritime law is often found in international conventions and treaties.