Miami Maritime Accident Lawyer

A Miami maritime accident attorney at Brais Law Firm has extensive experience handling cruise ship passengers and crew, boating, yachting, scuba diving, personal injury, and death claims in and throughout Florida. Our dedicated lawyers offer accident victims and their families 30+ years of collective trial experience in cruise ship injury and boating accident lawsuits. Known for its nightlife and beaches, Miami is an international vacation destination. Miami offers some of the world’s best boating, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Miami and Biscayne Bay is also the home of well-known boat races, such as the Columbus Day Regatta & the Bacardi Cup.

Miami Maritime Injury Law Firm Assisting People Harmed in Cruise Ship Accidents

Cruise Line	Cruise Ship
Azamara	Quest
Carnival	Conquest
Carnival	Glory
Carnival	Horizon
Carnival	Magic
Carnival	Sensation
Carnival	Victory
Carnival	Vista
Celebrity	Equinox
Celebrity	Eclipse
Disney	Magic
MSC	Divina
MSC	Seaside
Norwegian (NCL)	Escape
Norwegian (NCL)	Getaway
Norwegian (NCL)	Jade

Cruise Line	Cruise Ship
Norwegian (NCL)	Star
Norwegian (NCL)	Sun
Norwegian (NCL)	Sky
Oceania	Insignia
Oceania	Riveria
Oceania	Regatta
Oceania	Sirena
Royal Caribbean	Empress of the Seas
Royal Caribbean	Enchantment of the Seas
Royal Caribbean	Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean	Navigator of the Seas
Seabourn	Odyssey
Seabourn	Sojourn
Seabourn	Quest
Viking	Sky
Viking	Sun

With over 8 million cruise passengers traveling through PortMiami in 2024 alone, it is not surprising that the port is well recognized as the “cruise capital of the world.” While the heavy volume of ships and passengers is a critical component of the region’s economy, a wide range of accidents and injuries can occur on these vessels. From slip and falls and swimming pool accidents to sexual assaults and injuries caused by crew negligence, the experience on a cruise ship is not always a positive one for passengers. In addition, members of the crew are at high risk of injury while working aboard a cruising vessel.

The laws governing cruise ship injuries and accidents are extraordinarily complicated and are best handled by attorneys with specific expertise in cruise ship and other maritime claims. The legal team at our firm includes Florida Bar board certified maritime law attorney Keith Brais who has vast experience helping people who have been injured on cruises, including cruises leaving from the Miami area. Our Miami maritime attorneys also represent crew members and other cruise ship industry workers who have been injured on the job. We are dedicated and compassionate maritime law professionals who will do everything we can to help our clients recover fair and full compensation for their injuries.

Hundreds of Millions Recovered

6.6 Million Watersports Injury

19.9 Million Resort Guest Injury

2.9 Million Crew Member Injury

9.8 Million Resort Guest Death

6.8 Million Crew Member Injury

2.2 Million Cruise Member Sexual Assault

1.3 Million Tug & Barge Crew Member Death

1.1 Million Jet Ski Injury

What You Need to Know About Your Maritime Injury Case

If you’ve been injured in a maritime accident, it is important to know what you can expect from your case. Here are five key facts about seeking financial compensation with the help of a maritime attorney in Miami:

1. Most Maritime Accidents Lead to Injury Claims

While some accidents simply happen, most accidents resulting in maritime injuries will lead to maritime injury claims. This includes accidents such as:

Barge and tugboat accidents
Commercial fishing accidents
Cruise ship accidents and assaults
Offshore work accidents
Parasailing accidents
Personal watercraft/jet ski accidents
Port, dock and marina accidents
Recreational boating accidents
Scuba diving and snorkeling accidents
Watersports accidents

As a result, if you have been injured in a maritime accident under any circumstances, you owe it to yourself to speak with a Miami maritime accident lawyer about your legal rights.

2. Employers, Charter Companies and Other Businesses Are Frequently Liable for Victims’ Injuries

The reason why so many maritime injury victims can file claims is that companies routinely make mistakes and poor decisions that put their employees and customers in harm’s way.

This includes mistakes ranging from failing to adequately maintain vessels and equipment to hiring inexperienced and untrained workers.

Under federal maritime laws such as the Jones Act and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), injured maritime workers can frequently file claims without proof of fault as well.

3. Your Legal Rights Depend On Where, When and Why You Got Injured

In maritime injury cases, captains’ and crew members’ rights are often different from those of passengers and other customers. When you hire an experienced Miami maritime attorney to represent you, your lawyer will be able to quickly assess your legal rights and determine which claim (or claims) you can file.

4. Maritime Injury Cases Are Unique

From the circumstances involved to the laws that apply, there are several factors that make maritime injury cases unique. Given the unique challenges these cases present, it is extremely important to have experienced legal representation.

5. Maritime Injuries Can Lead to Substantial Losses

Another reason to ensure you have experienced legal representation is that maritime injuries can lead to substantial losses. Over your lifetime, the financial and non-financial costs of your injuries could easily climb into the tens or hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars.

What You Need to Know About Protecting Your Claim for Just Compensation

While there are many ways a Miami maritime accident lawyer can help you, there are also steps you must take to help yourself. For example, here are five critical facts about protecting your claim for just compensation:

1. It Is Up To You to Protect Your Rights

If you have a maritime injury claim, no one is going to take care of protecting your rights for you. You need to be smart about protecting your rights, and this starts with hiring an experienced lawyer to represent you.

2. The Sooner You Take Action, the Better

Once you get injured, the clock starts ticking. The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better chance your lawyer will have to collect critical evidence before it disappears.

3. There Are Several Steps You Need To Take

After suffering a maritime injury, there are several steps you must take to protect your rights. For example, you should see an independent doctor immediately (not rely solely on the ship’s doctor), take good notes and plenty of photos, and arrange a free consultation as soon as possible.

4. There Are Also Several Mistakes You Need to Avoid

When taking these steps (among others), you also need to be careful to avoid costly mistakes. If you do or say the wrong thing after your maritime accident, you could end up without the compensation you deserve.

5. Protecting Your Legal Rights Requires Experienced Legal Representation

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your injury, you will need an experienced lawyer on your side. From proving fault to calculating the long-term costs of your maritime injury, there are numerous steps you will need a lawyer to take on your behalf.

Meet Our Attorney

Read Full Bio

With over 50 years of combined trial experience, Keith Brais, who holds a B.S. in Marine Engineering from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and has extensive experience working on offshore oil drilling platforms, the firm brings a unique blend of maritime industry knowledge and legal expertise. Keith, a Board-Certified specialist in Maritime and Admiralty Law, is recognized for his top-tier credentials, including being named in Martindale-Hubbell’s “AV” Preeminent rating, Florida’s Legal Elite, Super Lawyers, and America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators, among many other accolades.

Meet The Rest of The Team

What You Need to Know About Hiring a Miami Maritime Accident Lawyer

How do you choose a Miami maritime accident lawyer? What can you expect once you put a lawyer on your side? Here are five important facts about hiring a lawyer to represent you:

1. It Is Important to Hire a Lawyer Who Specifically Handles Maritime Injury Cases

Due to the unique nature of maritime injury cases and the complicated issues involved, it is important to hire a lawyer who specifically handles maritime injury cases. The lawyer you choose should have a proven record of success representing captains, crew members, passengers and other individuals.

2. It Is Important to Hire a Lawyer with Local Experience and Connections

If your accident happened in Miami or off the coast of South Florida, you will want to hire a lawyer who has local experience and connections. This will be important for making sure you are able to recover the full compensation you deserve as quickly as possible.

3. You Can Hire a Miami Maritime Accident Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost

At Braid Law Firm, we represent all of our clients at no out-of-pocket cost. You pay nothing upfront, and you pay nothing at all unless we win your maritime injury case.

4. The More You Can Do To Help Your Lawyer, the Better

While you should be able to rely on your lawyer to represent you, you should expect your lawyer to rely on you as well. The more information you can provide, the more your lawyer can do to maximize your financial recovery.

5. Hiring an Experienced Lawyer is the Best Way to Maximize Your Financial Recovery

Whether you were working, on a cruise or out for a fun day on the water, hiring an experienced lawyer is the best—and only—way to make sure you receive just compensation. While no lawyer can guarantee a successful outcome, we can guarantee that you will not recover your losses unless you put an experienced maritime injury lawyer in Miami on your side.

Perfect 5.0 Client Review Rating Actual Client Testimonials

View All Testimonials

Cruise Ship Crew Member Injury

“I was in pain for a good 6 months, it was just a nightmare. It wasn’t until I got Mr. Brais that I really started getting the help I needed from the doctors. You need somebody you can trust, somebody to give you some guidance. They stuck in there with me the whole way.”

— Client

I highly recommend Brais Law Firm

“I highly recommend Brais Law Firm. Their professionalism and expertise were top notch. My slip and fall injury case involved a well known cruise ship and was nerve racking to me. They calmed all my fears and walked me through step by step. In the end they helped me obtain a favorable recovery. Look no further, call them with your Maritime case!!!”

— P.C.

Tug & Barge Crew Member Death

“I just thought he [Mr. Brais] was the man to do it. I felt comfortable with him being by my side. The pain my family has suffered has been immeasurable, but he was there with me. It’s not just him, it’s his team also. Keith really stood up for my son. I know I made the best choice.”

— Client

I recommend Keith Brais

“I was in an accident where I was struck by a boat and boat propeller. The Brais Law Firm represented me in a very professional manner. I am very satisfied with the service and support I received from the firm and happy with the results they achieved. I recommend Keith Brais and his firm to anyone needing representation related to a maritime personal injury.”

— M.C.

Resort Guest Injury

“As we worked with Keith, I realized what would have happened had we just selected an attorney in town…I realized that the outcome would have been probably entirely different, and not as successful as it was. I felt very comfortable going through with the whole process. I would say Keith is a superhero.”

— Client

Read Our Google Reviews

We Fought On Their Behalf, Hear What They Have To Say

Cruise Ship Crew Member Injury – Client

Tug & Barge Crew Member Death – Client

Resort Guest Injury – Client

Miami Maritime Accident Attorney FAQs

What is the statute of limitations for my maritime injury claim in Miami? Do I have to file my maritime accident lawsuit in Miami, even if the accident happened elsewhere? What is the difference between a maritime injury claim and a standard personal injury claim in Miami? In Miami, how much is my maritime accident case worth?

What is the statute of limitations for my maritime injury claim in Miami?

It depends heavily on who you are, but it is often much shorter than standard land-based injuries. If you are a cruise ship passenger, your ticket contract almost always limits your time to file a lawsuit to one year, and usually requires a written notice of intent to sue within six months. For general maritime law and Jones Act claims (crew members/seamen), the federal statute of limitations is typically three years.

Do I have to file my maritime accident lawsuit in Miami, even if the accident happened elsewhere?

Yes, very often. Major cruise lines (like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian) insert a “forum selection clause” into the fine print of every passenger ticket contract. This clause dictates that any lawsuit against them must be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (located in Miami), regardless of where you bought the ticket, where you live, or where in the world the accident occurred.

What is the difference between a maritime injury claim and a standard personal injury claim in Miami?

Maritime claims are governed by federal maritime law and specific statutes rather than Florida state laws. For example, if you are an injured maritime worker, you generally don’t file for standard worker’s compensation; instead, you seek “Maintenance and Cure” or sue under the Jones Act, which requires proving your employer’s negligence. Furthermore, concepts like “unseaworthiness” are entirely unique to maritime law.

In Miami, how much is my maritime accident case worth?

There is no fixed number, as it depends on the severity of your injuries, clear proof of negligence, and economic losses. However, a maritime claim can recover damages for past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and physical pain and suffering. If you are a crew member, you are also entitled to “maintenance” (daily living expenses) and “cure” (medical treatments) until you reach maximum medical improvement.

Contact a Miami Maritime Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Claim

If you or a family member has been injured in recreational boating, cruise ship, dock, port, harbor, or any other maritime accident in the Miami area, we encourage you to contact our Miami maritime lawyer at Brais Law Firm today. Our Florida law office is conveniently located in Miami and we routinely litigate maritime claims in courts throughout the state. We offer free case evaluations to people who have been injured in all types of accidents that have occurred on or near the water. To reach a Miami injury maritime lawyer at our firm, you can submit our online contact form or call our offices at 800-499-0551.

Miami Maritime Accident Lawyer