{"id":50844,"date":"2026-09-20T01:49:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T01:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/catastrophic-maritime-injuries\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T05:14:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T05:14:34","slug":"catastrophic-maritime-injuries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/catastrophic-maritime-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Catastrophic Maritime Injuries: Your Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maritime Injury Claims<\/p>

Catastrophic Maritime Injuries: Your Rights After a Serious Accident at Sea<\/h1>

If you were injured while working on a vessel, fishing boat, or offshore platform, federal maritime law may entitle you to compensation. CHG Personal Injury Lawyers focuses exclusively on maritime injury claims nationwide.<\/p>

Get Your Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div>
Get Your Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published September 20, 2026<\/p>\n\n

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Catastrophic Maritime Injuries: Know Your Rights After a Boating Accident<\/h2>\n

When someone you love suffers a catastrophic maritime injury\u2014or dies\u2014in a boating accident, the legal rules are completely different from ordinary personal-injury law. Maritime law is a federal system designed to protect workers, passengers, and families in uniquely dangerous situations.<\/p>\n

If you’ve experienced a spinal cord injury, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, amputation, severe burns, or lost a family member, you need an attorney who understands maritime law. We serve English- and Spanish-speaking clients nationwide with clear explanations of your rights.<\/p>\n

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If you or a family member suffered a catastrophic injury in a maritime or boating accident, you may have a legal claim. Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What Makes Maritime Law Different<\/h2>\n

Maritime law exists because water-based work and recreation carry dangers that land law doesn’t address. Federal statutes create rights and protections that don’t exist in other industries.<\/p>\n

Most workers can only recover through workers’ compensation, which limits benefits. Maritime workers can recover full damages: medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability.<\/p>\n

The unseaworthiness doctrine<\/strong> holds vessel owners strictly liable for injuries from unsafe conditions. You don’t need to prove negligence. Defective equipment, broken railings, faulty lifeboats, or unsafe working conditions all count.<\/p>\n

Maintenance and cure<\/strong> requires employers to pay injured seamen’s medical care and living expenses during recovery\u2014regardless of fault.<\/p>\n

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act<\/strong> (33 U.S.C. \u00a7 901 et seq.<\/a>) covers dock workers and longshoremen with maritime-specific benefits.<\/p>\n

The Death on the High Seas Act<\/strong> (46 U.S.C. \u00a7 30307<\/a>) governs wrongful-death claims in international waters.<\/p>\n

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Catastrophic Maritime Injuries We Handle<\/h2>\n

We focus exclusively on life-altering catastrophic maritime injuries.<\/p>\n

Spinal cord injuries and paralysis<\/a><\/strong> from boat collisions, falls overboard, or equipment failures. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation<\/a>, over 5.4 million Americans live with paralysis. Spinal cord injuries require lifetime medical care, assistive technology, and home modifications.<\/p>\n

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)<\/strong> from head trauma in boating collisions or near-drowning events. TBI causes permanent changes to thinking, movement, and mood\u2014including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and mood disorders. Symptoms are often invisible and require medical testimony.<\/p>\n

Amputation and limb loss<\/strong> from propeller injuries, machinery entanglement, or crush injuries. Propeller injuries happen in seconds and are particularly common in recreational boating.<\/p>\n

Severe burns<\/strong> from boat fires, explosions, or fuel incidents. Maritime fires spread rapidly in enclosed spaces. Severe burns require emergency care, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

Drowning and near-drowning injuries<\/strong> causing permanent brain damage. Hypoxic brain injury\u2014damage from oxygen deprivation\u2014causes catastrophic neurological damage.<\/p>\n

Catastrophic back and neck injuries<\/strong> from impact trauma or unsafe working conditions, resulting in permanent impairment or paralysis.<\/p>\n

Wrongful death.<\/strong> A death is the most catastrophic outcome. When a family member dies in a maritime accident, the family deserves to understand their legal options and what compensation they can recover.<\/p>\n

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Types of Maritime Accidents Causing Catastrophic Injury<\/h2>\n

Recreational boating accidents<\/strong> result from collisions, capsizing, operator negligence, and equipment failure. Many operators lack proper training.<\/p>\n

Cruise ship injuries<\/strong> occur from falls, negligent security, medical negligence, or unsafe conditions. Cruise lines must maintain safe premises and protect passengers.<\/p>\n

Commercial fishing vessel accidents<\/strong> involve machinery entanglement, falls overboard, collisions, and unsafe conditions. Commercial fishing is one of America’s most dangerous occupations.<\/p>\n

Offshore oil rig injuries<\/strong> result from explosions, falls from heights, equipment failures, inadequate training, or safety violations.<\/p>\n

Jet ski and personal watercraft accidents<\/strong> involve high-speed collisions, operator negligence, and propeller injuries.<\/p>\n

Tug boat and barge accidents<\/strong> cause crew injuries from collisions, cargo shifts, or unsafe conditions.<\/p>\n

Short-term rental boat injuries<\/strong> occur when defective vessels are rented without adequate safety equipment or hazard disclosure.<\/p>\n

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Who Is Liable in a Maritime Accident?<\/h2>\n

Vessel owners and operators<\/strong> must maintain safe vessels and operate them safely. They must inspect regularly and repair defects promptly.<\/p>\n

Employers of maritime workers<\/strong> are liable under the Jones Act for negligence. They must maintain safe conditions and provide proper training.<\/p>\n

Third-party contractors<\/strong> may be liable for negligence. A repair company that negligently fixes an engine causing injury is liable.<\/p>\n

Manufacturers<\/strong> are liable for defective equipment, engines, or safety devices.<\/p>\n

Cruise ship companies<\/strong> are liable for negligent security, inadequate safety measures, or failure to prevent foreseeable harm.<\/p>\n

Short-term rental companies<\/strong> are liable for defective vessels or failure to disclose known hazards.<\/p>\n

Maritime law uses comparative fault: liability is divided among parties based on their degree of negligence (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 768.81(6)<\/a>).<\/p>\n

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Not sure what your next step is?<\/h3>

Talk it through with our team — the first consultation is free, confidential, and carries no obligation.<\/p>

Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div>
Get a free consultation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Statute of Limitations: Act Now<\/h2>\n

Time limits apply to maritime injury claims. Missing a deadline can cost you your case.<\/p>\n

Jones Act claims<\/strong> carry a three-year statute of limitations for seamen suing employers.<\/p>\n

LHWCA claims<\/strong> have a one-year statute of limitations for Department of Labor claims.<\/p>\n

DOHSA claims (wrongful death)<\/strong> have a three-year statute of limitations from death.<\/p>\n

Florida state law claims<\/strong> have a two-year statute of limitations (Fla. Stat. \u00a7 95.11<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The discovery rule<\/strong> may extend the deadline if injury wasn’t immediately apparent. But evidence deteriorates and witnesses’ memories fade. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve evidence.<\/p>\n

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Compensation for Catastrophic Maritime Injuries<\/h2>\n

If you have a valid maritime injury claim, you may recover:<\/p>\n