If you live in Port St. Lucie, Florida, and have recently been injured in a maritime accident, call Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers at (772) 247-3374 today. You may have rights under state and federal law. An experienced Port St. Lucie maritime accident lawyer can help you fight to recover the compensation you deserve–and your consultation is entirely free.
Our attorneys have over 80 years of combined experience advocating on behalf of injury victims. Our dedication and hard work has allowed us to recover over $500 million in settlements and verdicts.
Why Choose Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers for Help With My Maritime Accident Case in Port St. Lucie, FL?
Choosing the right lawyer can be the key to maximizing your financial award after an accident. Maritime injury claims are complicated. Several different laws may be relevant. When you hire Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, you’re putting a legal team with extensive experience and a track record of success in your corner.
Our Port St. Lucie personal injury attorneys have earned recognition from:
- The National Trial Lawyers, on their “Top 100” attorney list
- Avvo, with a “Superb” lawyer rating
- Super Lawyers
Our team is also led by a board-certified civil trial lawyer who has extensive insurance defense experience. That means we know exactly how the insurance companies operate–and how to ensure they’re paying what you deserve. Call our Port St. Lucie maritime accident attorneys for a free consultation today.
Our Attorneys in Port St. Lucie Handle All Types of Maritime Accident Claims
Given Florida’s extensive coastline, it’s not entirely surprising that tens of thousands of jobs in Florida are linked to the maritime industry. In fact, Florida ranks second only to Louisiana in terms of the number of maritime workers in the state.
Unfortunately, working in the maritime industry can be dangerous. According to the CDC, maritime industry workers have a higher risk of injury and illness when compared to the national average.
Our attorneys at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers have experience handling all types of maritime injury claims, including:
- Commercial fishing accidents
- Container shipping accidents
- Cargo ship accidents
- Cruise ship accidents
- Tugboat accidents
- Shipyard accidents
- Accidents in marine terminals and ports
- Marine crane accidents
- Drillship accidents
- Barge accidents
- Freight ship accidents
- Oil rig accidents
- Crude oil ship and tanker accidents
- Diving support vessel accidents and commercial diving accidents
If you or a loved one were injured while working in the maritime industry, reach out to our lawyers today. Maritime injury cases often involve complex laws. Our attorneys are prepared to help you identify all options for recovering compensation–and to fight for every dollar.
How Much Is My Port St. Lucie Maritime Accident Case Worth?
All injured workers have unique experiences. The facts of your case will be determinative when it comes to calculating your case value.
Key factors that will impact the value of your accident claim include:
- The type and severity of your injuries
- What type of maritime worker you are
- The laws that apply in your case
- Your medical treatment needs and costs
- The length of your recovery time
- How much you were earning prior to the accident
- Whether you can earn anything during recovery, and how much
- Whether you’ll ever return to work
You deserve full and fair compensation if you were injured on the job. Unfortunately, recovering compensation for maritime injuries isn’t always cut and dry. In most workplace accident cases, victims start with a workers’ compensation claim. As a maritime worker, you may have to look to a federal law to receive compensation.
What Laws Might Govern a Maritime Accident Claim in Florida?
Florida workers’ compensation doesn’t cover injured maritime workers. Different laws that are specific to the maritime industry will likely apply. The relevant laws can depend on your role, job duties, and location.
The Jones Act
The Jones Act is a federal law that provides benefits to workers who qualify as “seamen”. Jones Act claims are similar to workers’ compensation claims.
To qualify, you must spend at least 30% of your time working aboard a navigable vessel. You may qualify if you were a captain, crew member, mechanic, or even a chef aboard the vessel. The key is that you must contribute to the operation of the vessel.
Jones Act seamen have two options for recovering compensation:
- File a no-fault claim for maintenance and cure benefits (similar to workers’ compensation)
- Sue a negligent employer for damages (similar to a personal injury claim)
Our attorneys are here to help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act
Not all maritime industry workers spend much time on the water. You may not even work aboard a navigable vessel. If you don’t qualify as a Jones Act seaman, you still have rights.
The LHWCA provides compensation to:
- Dockworkers
- Shipbuilders
- Ship repairers
- Personnel who provide marine support
- Longshoremen
- Harbor construction workers
Our attorneys will carefully evaluate your role to determine whether you deserve LHWCA benefits.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Maritime Accident Victims in Port St. Lucie?
Available damages depend on the laws that apply in your case.
No-fault Jones Act claims provide maintenance and cure benefits. Maintenance benefits are paid to cover your reasonable living expenses. “Cure” benefits cover your medical expenses.
If your employer was negligent or the vessel was unseaworthy, you can file a lawsuit under the Jones Act. Lawsuits allow you to pursue compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Examples of possible damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Chronic pain
- Scarring or disfigurement
If you qualify for LHWCA benefits, you should be eligible for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Travel expense reimbursement
- Lost wages
Death benefits are also available for survivors of fatal maritime accident victims.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Maritime Accident Lawyer in Port St. Lucie?
Quality legal representation is important if you’re injured in a maritime accident. Understandably, many victims are worried about the cost.
When you hire Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, you’ll agree to pay us a set percentage of your settlement or verdict. With this contingency fee structure, you’ll never have to worry about upfront costs. We base our fees on our attorneys’ success.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Maritime Accident in Florida?
You can recover Jones Act and LHWCA benefits without proof of fault. That means you can recover benefits even if you were partly responsible for the accident.
Shared fault works differently in maritime lawsuits than it does in standard Florida land-based accidents. While Florida state law bars you from recovering money if you are more than 50% at fault, federal maritime law follows a pure comparative negligence standard. This means even if you were partially at fault for your maritime accident, you can still recover damages—your total financial award will simply be reduced by your percentage of blame.
It’s common for defendants to attempt blame-the-victim strategies. Your employer might even blame you. It’s important to understand that you don’t have to back down. Our attorneys are here to protect your rights.
What Are Some Common Maritime Injuries in Port St. Lucie?
Maritime injuries can be significant. Our attorneys handle all types of maritime injury claims.
We represent clients with:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones and crushing injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Eye and facial injuries
- Puncture wounds
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations and lost limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
We also handle fatal injury cases. If you lost a loved one in a fatal maritime injury case, call our attorneys for the advice you deserve today.
What Causes Most Maritime Accidents in Port St. Lucie?
Some common causes of maritime accidents include:
- Negligent hiring practices
- Failure to maintain the vessel in seaworthy condition
- Failure to properly supervise employees
- Communication errors
- Missing or damaged safety equipment
- Ignoring safety regulations
When you hire us, we conduct our own investigation to determine why your accident occurred and whether you have the right to sue for damages.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim for Compensation After a Maritime Accident in Florida?
The statute of limitations in your case depends on the applicable laws.
Each has its own deadlines:
- Jones Act claims must be initiated within three years of the injury
- LHWCA claims must be filed within two years of the accident
If you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, the statute of limitations is two years.
Contact an Experienced Port St. Lucie Maritime Accident Lawyer for a Free Case Evaluation
Do you have questions about your right to compensation after a maritime accident? Call Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers to get more information. An experienced Port St. Lucie maritime accident attorney can explain your rights and options during a free consultation.
