Were you injured in a maritime accident in Fort Myers, Florida? You may have legal rights under state and federal law, including the ability to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The Fort Myers boating accident attorneys at Garvin Injury Law can guide you through the legal process from start to finish while you focus on your health and well-being.
For more than 50 years, our attorneys have been representing injury victims across Florida. We’ve recovered millions for our clients and are prepared to take on the insurance companies and maritime employers who may try to limit your claim.
Contact our Fort Myers maritime injury attorneys today to arrange a free initial consultation.
How Garvin Injury Law Can Help With Your Maritime Injury Claim in Fort Myers, FL
Maritime accidents often involve unique legal rules that differ from traditional workplace injury claims. You may be covered by federal statutes like the Jones Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), or you may have a claim under Florida law. An experienced maritime injury lawyer in Fort Myers with our team can help determine the best path forward on your behalf
When you hire Garvin Injury Law, we’ll:
- Investigate your accident and determine how it happened
- Identify the parties responsible for your injuries
- Evaluate which maritime laws apply to your claim
- Calculate the value of your damages
- Collect and preserve critical evidence
- Negotiate with insurance carriers and opposing counsel
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if necessary
Our trial experience often prompts fair settlement offers, but we will not hesitate to present your case before a judge if that’s what it takes to secure full compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free case review if you’re ready to get started.
Maritime Injury Laws That May Apply to Your Case
The type of maritime work you do and where your injury occurred will determine which law applies. Some of the most common include:
- The Jones Act: Provides seamen the right to sue their employers for negligence that caused their injuries.
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA): Covers maritime workers who are not seamen, such as dockworkers, shipbuilders, and harbor construction crews.
- Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA): Applies when a wrongful death occurs more than three nautical miles from shore.
Each of these laws has its own requirements and legal procedures. Our firm can review your job duties and the facts of your accident to determine the correct legal framework that applies to your case. From there, we will work to secure maximum compensation for all of your injuries and losses.
Common Causes of Maritime Accidents in Fort Myers
Maritime jobs often involve heavy machinery, dangerous conditions, and unpredictable weather. We’ve seen cases involving:
- Slippery decks and falls overboard
- Equipment failures and defective machinery
- Explosions and hazardous materials
- Unsafe loading or unloading practices
- Poor vessel maintenance
- Inadequate crew training or supervision
- Collisions with other vessels
No matter whether your injury happened on a fishing boat, cruise ship, cargo vessel, or dockside, our personal injury attorneys in Fort Myers can investigate and hold the responsible parties liable.
How Valuable Is My Fort Myers Maritime Injury Claim?
No two maritime injury cases are alike at the end of the day. The value of your claim will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, how long you’re out of work, and whether you can return to your job at all. Other considerations include:
- The cost of current and future medical care
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity
- The degree of physical pain and emotional distress
- The strength of the evidence supporting your claim
- The federal and/or state laws that apply to your case
During your free consultation, we can provide a more personalized assessment based on your unique circumstances.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Maritime Accident in Fort Myers?
If your case qualifies for a personal injury claim or a lawsuit under maritime law, you may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages can include:
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Costs of adaptive equipment or home modifications
- Property damage
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement or scarring
In rare cases, punitive damages may also be available if the responsible party’s conduct was particularly reckless or intentional.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Maritime Accident in Florida?
If your employer or the insurance company claims you were partly at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation nonetheless. Under the Jones Act and other maritime laws, your damages can be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. However, you are generally not barred from recovery unless you were entirely responsible.
Our maritime injury lawyers in Fort Myers, FL, know how to challenge unfair blame and will work to minimize any fault assigned to you so that your compensation is not unnecessarily reduced.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Maritime Injury Attorney in Fort Myers?
At Garvin Injury Law, we handle maritime injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no upfront fees, and we only get paid if we recover money for you. Our fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, and the terms will be clearly explained before we begin work on your case.
This approach ensures you can access experienced legal help regardless of your financial situation. It also means we’ll be incentivized to increase your claim’s value as much as possible.
Contact Our Fort Myers Maritime Injury Attorneys for a Free Case Evaluation Today
Were you injured in a maritime accident in Fort Myers, Florida? You may have options under state and federal law to recover the compensation you need to move forward. Garvin Injury Law has more than five decades of experience and has secured millions for clients across Florida.
You only have a limited amount of time to take legal action, so call us today at (239) 277-0005 or reach out online to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced Fort Myers maritime injury lawyers will be at your side every step of the way.