Our firm has been handling admiralty law cases since 1967. We know that the victims of these complex personal injury cases need help navigating the legal process and obtaining maximum compensation for their injuries.
No one should have to deal with lengthy paperwork, courts, and insurance companies alone. Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore’s team of maritime lawyers understand what you and your family are going through, and we are here to help.
Our home office is based in Tampa, but we provide legal services to victims of maritime and admiralty accidents throughout Florida. We have successfully litigated cases statewide, including the following cities:
The term “maritime and admiralty accidents” covers many different types of incidents that happen on the Florida seas. We can help with an array of related accidents, including:
Maritime and admiralty claims follow a similar process as personal injury lawsuits in Florida. While maritime and admiralty law is federal, many times these claims may be brought in state court. Whether brought in state or federal court, a combination of state and federal laws and procedures often applied to maritime and admiralty cases. This can make them complex, so it’s important to work with maritime lawyers in Florida who understand how to navigate your case efficiently.
After you finalize your maritime settlement or get a successful verdict in court, your attorney will get a portion of the recovery as a contingency fee. It’s important to know that health insurance liens and other costs, such as filing fees and travel expenses may also reduce your compensation.
The maritime injury attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore value your well-being more than your wallet. We always have at least two attorneys working on your case without adding to your legal fees. This allows us to provide you with the best service possible.
Your lawyer will need to determine if you have a valid maritime and admiralty case that can be tried. These cases must meet the following requirements:
Just like in a personal injury claim, you must prove who is at fault, or liable, in your maritime accident case. This requires you to show that the at-fault party was negligent.
Negligence is a legal theory indicating that the other party owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty of care, and you suffered injuries as a result of that breach. You must also be able to show that the negligence caused or contributed substantially to causing damage or injury.
Your lawyer can help you prove who is at fault by investigating your accident and gathering enough evidence to support your claims of negligence.
It’s impossible to know exactly how much your case is worth until you speak with a Florida maritime and admiralty lawyer. We can determine your damages and help you pursue full and fair compensation.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the value of your case, including:
We will explore all avenues of obtaining full and fair compensation to ensure you get the money you need to cover your damages, including filing claims against all liable parties.
Damages may be economic or non-economic. You can obtain compensation for both types of damages in a maritime and admiralty case.
Economic damages include those that are directly linked to out-of-pocket expenses or amounts that you have paid or will reasonably have to pay in the future. They include things like present and future medical bills, lost wages, medical expenses, nursing care, travel expenses, and property damage.
Non-economic damages are damages for the intangible but not economic losses that often severely affect a person throughout their lives. While not economic in nature, they can often be the most significant part of any case and are frequently the most difficult to prove because there is no exact standard for their calculation. These damages include any bodily injury sustained by you and any resulting pain and suffering, disability or physical impairment, disfigurement, and mental anguish, experienced in the past and to be experienced in the future.
Although maritime and admiralty lawsuits can be filed in Florida state courts, their claims are based in both state and federal laws. You need a Florida maritime personal injury attorney who has in-depth knowledge of admiralty law and knows firsthand what goes into a successful maritime lawsuit. The experienced attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore can help you investigate a claim, draft and file legal documents, and prepare for trial.
Many Florida maritime and admiralty cases are resolved before they go to court; however, our trial-experienced attorneys won’t back down if the insurance companies don’t offer a fair settlement. If you want to sue, we will take the lead and push forward with your case until you get a successful outcome.
You may be confused after an accident on the high seas. The aftermath of such an incident may leave you with significant medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. The recovery can seem bleak. However, it doesn’t have to ruin your life.
With the help of a dedicated legal team, you can get maximum compensation that will help you move forward. The experienced Florida maritime personal injury attorneys at Wagner, McLaughlin & Whittemore represent victims of accidents throughout the state.
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