Quick Answer: Maritime law governs injuries, accidents, and commercial activity on navigable waters, including seamen’s rights, vessel liability, cargo disputes, and offshore accidents.

Maritime law—also called admiralty law—is the body of law that regulates activities on the world’s oceans, seas, and other navigable waters. It applies to commercial shipping, offshore work, passenger vessels, and many boating accidents, often replacing or overriding standard state personal injury law.

This area of law is especially important because maritime workers face unique hazards and are protected by special legal rules that do not apply to land-based employees.

Maritime law applies to a wide range of situations, including:

• Injuries to seamen, crew members, and offshore workers
• Vessel collisions and allisions (vessel striking a fixed object)
• Damage to ships, docks, and cargo
• Offshore industrial accidents
• Pollution and hazardous material spills
• Passenger injuries on commercial vessels

Whether maritime law applies depends on where the incident occurred and whether the activity involved navigation or maritime commerce.

Maritime law includes several long-established doctrines that are central to injury and accident claims.

Shipowners are legally required to care for injured seamen who are hurt while in service of a vessel.

• Maintenance covers basic living expenses while the seaman recovers
• Cure requires the shipowner to pay for all necessary medical treatment until the seaman reaches maximum medical improvement

This obligation applies regardless of fault, even if the injury was not caused by negligence.

Example: A deckhand slips on a wet surface and injures his back, even though no one was negligent. The shipowner must still pay the deckhand’s rent, food expenses, and medical treatment until doctors determine he has recovered as much as possible.

Vessel owners must provide a seaworthy vessel, meaning one that is reasonably fit for its intended use.

If unsafe equipment, inadequate staffing, or poor vessel conditions cause injury, the shipowner may be strictly liable, even without proof of negligence.

Example: A crew member is injured when a winch fails due to worn parts. Even if the owner did not know the winch was defective, the vessel may be deemed unseaworthy, and the owner can still be held liable for the injury.

Maritime law allows certain claims, such as unpaid wages or repair costs, to attach directly to a vessel as a maritime lien, creating a powerful security interest that can follow the ship itself.

Example: A seaman is not paid his wages, or a repair company is not paid for engine work. The claimant may assert a lien against the vessel, meaning the ship can be seized or sold to satisfy the debt.

Individuals who voluntarily rescue property at sea may be entitled to a salvage award, reflecting maritime law’s long-standing policy of encouraging rescue efforts.

Example: A private vessel tows an abandoned cargo ship out of danger during a storm. Even though the salvor did not own the ship or cargo, they may be entitled to a financial award based on the value of what was saved and the risk involved.

The Jones Act is a federal law that provides additional protections to qualifying seamen injured on the job.

Under the Jones Act, an injured seaman may sue an employer for negligence if unsafe working conditions, poor training, or improper procedures contributed to the injury.

Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, Jones Act claims allow recovery for:

• Pain and suffering
• Lost earning capacity
• Future medical care

The Jones Act also governs certain aspects of domestic maritime commerce, including vessel ownership and operation requirements for shipping between U.S. ports.

Maritime law differs significantly from land-based personal injury law because:

• It is primarily federal, not state-based
• It applies special worker classifications (seaman vs. longshore vs. passenger)
• It imposes unique duties on vessel owners and employers
• It often allows broader recovery for injured maritime workers

Because of these differences, applying the wrong legal framework can seriously harm a claim.

You may need a maritime lawyer if:

• You were injured while working on a vessel or offshore platform
• A vessel collision or boating accident caused injury or damage
• You are asked to sign documents after a maritime injury
• Your employer or insurer disputes your worker status
• A pollution or cargo incident involves commercial shipping

Determining whether maritime law applies is often the most important legal issue in the case.

Maritime employers and insurers are highly experienced in defending claims. Injured workers are often pressured to:

• Sign releases or settlement agreements
• Accept limited payments for wages or medical care
• Give recorded statements that limit future recovery

A maritime lawyer can review documents, protect your rights, and ensure you do not unknowingly waive valid claims.

Maritime lawyers may charge:

• Hourly fees for advisory or commercial matters, or
• Contingency fees in injury cases, meaning no upfront cost and payment only if compensation is recovered

Fee arrangements vary based on case complexity and jurisdiction and should always be discussed in advance.

Maritime law is complex and highly specialized. When choosing a maritime lawyer, look for someone who:

• Regularly handles maritime and admiralty cases
• Has experience with seamen and offshore injury claims
• Is familiar with federal maritime courts
• Can clearly explain your rights and options

You should never feel pressured to accept vague answers or rushed decisions in a maritime injury case.

Maritime law exists because work and travel on navigable waters present risks that land-based laws were never designed to address. Injuries at sea, vessel collisions, offshore accidents, and cargo incidents are governed by a specialized legal system that imposes different duties, different remedies, and different timelines than ordinary personal injury law.

When a maritime incident occurs, the most consequential question is often not who was at fault, but which body of law applies. That determination controls whether an injured worker is entitled to maintenance and cure, Jones Act damages, seaworthiness claims, or only limited recovery. Employers and insurers understand these distinctions well and often structure their response to minimize exposure.

Correctly identifying maritime jurisdiction and enforcing the protections it provides is what separates routine claims from meaningful recovery. For injured seamen, offshore workers, and others harmed on navigable waters, understanding how maritime law applies is not a technicality—it is the foundation of the case itself.