Choosing the right personal injury attorney, especially as it related to specific issues in the cruise industry, is a big deal. In fact, it can be the difference between a successful case and one where you don’t get the damages or legal remedies you’re seeking – and no one wants that.
Most people don’t have a lot of experience with attorneys, much less finding one to represent them. Here are a few tips and questions you can use to help guide you to the right personal injury attorney for your needs in maritime law.
What Is a Maritime Attorney?
A maritime attorney is an attorney who specializes in the representation of maritime passengers and workers or their families in case of injury or wrongful death that may be the result of negligence while at sea or unseaworthy conditions.
Maritime laws are quite unique and can be complicated, which is why a maritime attorney is the right choice for you in circumstances such as:
Slip and Fall Cases
If you had a slip and fall accident that resulted in injury on a boat deck or stairs, then you may want to consult a maritime lawyer.
Collisions
If you’re a worker aboard a vessel and are injured due to any type of improper safety precautions with machines, dollies, cranes, or cars on-board or cargo stored improperly, then consult a maritime attorney.
Sickness
Sometimes, maritime companies do not follow guidelines for sanitation that can result in illness spreading aboard a ship. If this happens, you may have a case, especially if you get sick and it results in serious injury or complications.
These are just a few examples of claims that can be handled by a maritime attorney. Make sure to seek out an attorney that specializes in the type of legal case or claim you want to bring. That will be a huge factor in whether or not your case has a chance to be successful.
Look at Their Reputation
Don’t simply search online for a lawyer and go with the first result. You should make sure to seek out an attorney that has a good professional reputation and that can provide insights into your case with the quality of their work.
You can find an attorney with a stellar professional reputation in a few ways, such as contacting the local chapter of the Bar Association or searching Avvo.
You can also look at client testimonials and customer reviews of law firms online. A successful attorney should have these things readily available.
Determine Their History of Success
If you want to win your case, then you need an attorney with a history of success. Many law firms have sections on their websites that include past cases and their outcomes. Make sure to pay attention to when their last successful case was, what type of case it was, and the outcome.
A personal injury attorney with a successful history is more likely to fight effectively for your interests and secure the best outcome for your case.
Ask About Fees
Once you narrow down your list of attorneys, make sure to inquire about their fees for taking your case. Most all cruise injury lawyers attorneys will work on contingency and won’t get paid unless some sort of monetary recovery is obtained in your case.
The exact amount charged differs from attorney to attorney and can be impacted by several variables. Make sure to find out what those are and how they are paid before choosing them as your representative.
About the Author:
Andrew Winston is a partner at the personal injury law firm of Winston Law. For over 20 years, he has successfully represented countless people in all kinds of personal injury cases, with a particular focus on child injury, legal malpractice, and premises liability. He has been recognized for excellence in the representation of injured clients by admission to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and named one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators. Mr. Winston is AV Preeminent Rated by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, enjoys a 10.0 rating by AVVO as a Top Personal Injury Attorney, has been selected as a Florida “SuperLawyer” from 2011-2020 – an honor reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the state – was voted to Florida Trend’s ”Legal Elite,” recognized by Expertise as one of the 20 Best Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys, named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Miami area for 2015-2017, and one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Florida for 2015-2017 and 2019.
