Port Everglades & Fort Lauderdale Maritime Attorneys

The Fort Lauderdale maritime lawyers of Brais Law Firm routinely handle cruise ship passenger injuries and crew, boating, yachting, scuba diving, personal injury and death claims in and throughout Florida. With Ft. Lauderdale and Port Everglades being just minutes North of our Miami office, our firm is well situated to represent clients who have sustained serious injuries in all types of accidents that have taken place in the seaports and navigable waters of the South East Florida region.

Maritime law governs all accidents that occur on the Atlantic Ocean, in the Gulf of Mexico, and on Florida’s inland and coastal navigable waterways. This includes recreational boating, yachting and cruise ship accidents as well as accidents involving maritime workers.

There is not one single law that determines accident victims’ legal rights. Rather, “maritime law” is made up of multiple international treaties, federal statutes and federal court decisions. As such, maritime law is extremely complex, and not many lawyers have the knowledge and experience required to represent injured passengers, crewmembers and their families effectively. Keith Brais has been a board certified admiralty and maritime attorney in Florida since 1996. He has helped his clients recover millions of dollars in financial compensation. Several of Mr. Brais’s cases have helped shape maritime law, and he is recognized as a leading attorney in the field of maritime injury and wrongful death litigation. If you have a maritime law claim in Fort Lauderdale, you can trust Mr. Brais to help you fight to win the compensation you deserve.

Commercial Boating and Maritime Accidents

A significant portion of our practice is devoted to representing workers in commercial boating and maritime accidents. Many maritime occupations are among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and accidents on the water are extremely common. Our Fort Lauderdale maritime attorneys handle cases involving all types of commercial vessels, onshore operations, rigs, and platforms.

This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Barges
  • Cargo ships
  • Crew boats
  • Drillships
  • Fishing vessels
  • Jackup rigs and floating rigs
  • Marinas
  • Offshore platforms
  • Patrol vessels
  • Ports
  • Tug boats
  • Shrimp boats
  • Supply boats

As a maritime in Fort Lauderdale, your legal rights depend on where you work. While most maritime workers qualify as “seamen” under the Jones Act, others will need to pursue claims under the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA) or the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). Family members who have lost loved ones will typically need to pursue claims under the Jones Act or the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). While understanding your legal rights can be difficult, it is also extremely important, and our Fort Lauderdale maritime lawyer is here to help.

Banner media

Other Types of Maritime Accidents

In addition to the types of accidents discussed above, we also have experience handling a broad range of other types of maritime accident and injury claims. Some additional examples of cases we handle in Fort Lauderdale include:

  • Cruise ship accidents
  • Fishing accidents
  • Marina, boat landing and dock accidents
  • Recreational boating accidents
  • Parasailing accidents
  • Personal watercraft (PWC) accidents
  • Scuba diving and snorkeling accidents

Why Choose Brais Law Firm for Your Maritime Accident or Injury Claim

If you need to seek just compensation for a maritime accident or injury, it is important that you choose the right law firm to represent you. Here are just some of the reasons why boaters, passengers, seamen, longshoremen and families have trusted Brais Law Firm for decades:

Banner media

FAQs: Maritime Accident, Injury and Wrongful Death Claims in Fort Lauderdale

What Are My Rights if I Was Injured in a Boat Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

What Are My Rights if I Was Hurt in a Maritime Work Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

Should I Hire a Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale if I Was Injured on a Cruise Ship that Departed Port Everglades?

What Are My Rights if I Was Injured in a Boat Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

If you were injured in a boating accident in Fort Lauderdale, your rights depend on who (or what) caused the accident. For example, if another boater caused the accident, you should have a claim under the boater’s insurance policy (if the boater has coverage). If your accident was the result of a mechanical issue, the boat’s manufacturer, a marina that serviced the boat or various other companies could be liable. Our Fort Lauderdale boat accident lawyer can assess your legal rights and pursue all available claims on your behalf.

What Are My Rights if I Was Hurt in a Maritime Work Accident in Fort Lauderdale?

If you were injured in a maritime work accident in Fort Lauderdale, your rights depend primarily on your occupation, where you work, and how you got injured. In any case, you should be able to file a claim for “no-fault” benefits—whether under the Jones Act, LHWCA or OCSLA. But, you may be entitled to additional compensation as well, and you will want to hire an experienced Fort Lauderdale maritime attorney to help make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Should I Hire a Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale if I Was Injured on a Cruise Ship that Departed Port Everglades?

Yes, if you have been injured on a cruise ship, you should absolutely speak with a lawyer about your legal rights—and you will want to speak with a Fort Lauderdale cruise ship injury attorney if the ship departed from Port Everglades. Our firm has significant experience handling claims against cruise lines operating out of Port Everglades, and we can use this experience to your advantage.

Injured in Fort Lauderdale or at Port Everglades? Discuss Your Injury Claim With Our Fort Lauderdale Maritime Attorneys

If you are a passenger or a crew member who has been injured in a yacht, recreational boating, cruise ship, or other maritime accident at Port Everglades or anywhere else in the Ft. Lauderdale area, the attorneys at Brais Law Firm can help. Our lawyers are seasoned professionals who have the knowledge and resources to help you obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. Call our law offices today at 800-499-0551 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with our Fort Lauderdale maritime attorneys.

The front part of a cruise ship

Maritime & Boating Accident News

Navigating Legal Waters: How to Sue a Cruise Line

For individuals who have experienced injuries or incidents while traveling as a …

Read More

Maryland Resident Indicted On Federal Charges For Cruise Ship Sexual Assault

In recent news, it is reported a 21-year-old resident of Abingdon, Maryland, Jal…

Read More

Brais Law Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Admiralty and Maritime Law

The team at Brais Law is proud to announce our recognition in the 30th edition o…

Read More

National and International All Ports of Call. Anywhere Offshore.
Brais Law is here for you.

Contact Us
Accessibility: If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please contact our Accessibility Manager at 800-499-0551.