Maritime law covers a wide variety of accidents that happen at sea and offers compensation for victims. Several federal statutes cover maritime accidents, and a lawyer will determine which ones apply to your situation. For example, the Jones Act covers sailors with “seaman” status, but the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act covers a variety of maritime workers, including those who don’t have seafaring experience. Regardless of whether you are an experienced seafarer or a novice, maritime law is a great way to protect yourself.

Maritime law is a complex area of law, and it’s important to have a lawyer who is familiar with it to protect your interests. While there are some situations in which a maritime law claim should be brought in federal court, most maritime lawsuits can be filed in state courts. There are exceptions, however, so it’s best to consult an attorney who specializes in maritime law before filing a lawsuit.

Federal courts have jurisdiction over maritime matters. Despite this, many cases are brought before state or federal courts. For example, if the defendant is a shipowner, a suit against him or her may be filed in federal court. However, there’s an exception to this rule: “saving to suitors” clauses allow state courts to hear certain maritime cases. State courts can hear cases where the plaintiff’s claims essentially rest on state common law tort law.