Maine’s maritime and port industries provide thousands of jobs to citizens across the state. Ferries, commercial fishing vessels, and large freight ships are constantly dropping anchor in harbors along the coast. Passenger cruise ships also play a major role in Maine’s economy.
With attorneys trusted to handle cases on behalf of El Faro victims, Berman & Simmons has the resources and experience to handle challenging maritime cases. Under the Jones Act, any person working on a navigable ship away from port is protected. Owners of vessels can be held liable if their vessel is deemed unsafe, underequipped, or understaffed at the time of an incident. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and other international regulations are designed to protect cruise ship passengers.
The maritime injury attorneys at Berman & Simmons understand the difficulties that come with working offshore and the safety regulations. We are experts in laws that protect seamen and realize that many offshore injuries and deaths could be prevented with proper care of vessels and their equipment. We also understand the laws associated with cruise ships departing from a U.S. port and special maritime jurisdiction affecting passenger safety.
For the best results, you need the best maritime injury lawyers
If you have been injured in a marine accident, contact us and speak with one of our experienced attorneys. We handle all types of injury claims resulting from maritime accidents, with a particular focus on serious injury and wrongful death cases.
Maine families placed their trust in us when their loved ones were tragically killed in the El Faro disaster – the worst U.S. cargo ship disaster in 60 years.
Maintenance and Care
Maritime employers must give care to injured seamen. This means that the employer must take care of living expenses like food, utilities, mortgage or rent payments, car payments, etc. The employer must also cover medical expenses until the seaman fully recovers from the injuries.
What compensation can I receive if I was injured on a cruise ship?
Victims of cruise ship accidents have the right to recover financial damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
A law firm that actually listens to you
Life on the sea away from home is a demanding lifestyle. Injuries that take place offshore can make a mariner feel overwhelmed with emotion considering the physical and financial impact. Cruise ship passengers who suffer injuries may not know where to turn for help.
Our lawyers and staff members take the time to listen to you, understand your concerns, and come up with solutions that can make your life better, including obtaining payment for or deferral of your debts until your case is resolved.
We'll Take Care of the Heavy Lifting
What compensation can I receive if I was harmed offshore?
According to the Jones Act, employers must:
Give seamen a safe place to work
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Keep the sea vessel in reasonably safe condition
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A vessel must be properly equipped to safely accommodate a seaman’s duties
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A vessel must be seaworthy prior to leaving port
$8.5 Million
Paralysis due to mismanagement of
degenerative spine
$2.5 Million
Catastrophic injuries in a head-on car accident
$800,000
Wrongful death case involving negligent
motorist
$715,000
Plaintiff Rear Ended by
Telephone Truck
$5 Million
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of cancer
$1.2 Million
Significant Head Injury Car Accident
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What do I prepare for the first call or meeting with you?
For your first meeting with us, simply tell us your story and explain in your own words what happened and how your life has been affected. If you’re meeting with us in person, you can bring notes about what happened to you, driver insurance information, names of any witnesses, photos of the accident damages or injuries, medical records, and other related paperwork if you have it and if it’s applicable, but that information isn’t necessary. Really all you need to do is be yourself, speak with us honestly, and be willing to tackle your problems with us.
Initial conversations between potential clients and our staff members are often done over the phone. Rest assured that everything we discuss is confidential and protected under law.
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How much will a lawyer cost me?
The lawyers at Berman & Simmons work on a contingency basis. That means you pay nothing up front and nothing unless we settle or win your case. We will consult with you, evaluate your situation, and do initial research free of charge. This is true even if we decide you don’t have a valid claim. We will also cover all necessary case expenses and you will not be obligated to reimburse us until and unless we recover monies on your behalf. if we do take your case and win a settlement or a jury verdict in your favor, a percentage of the compensation goes to pay for our costs and the work done by our legal team.
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How will I know if I have a case?
To pursue a case, we will need to prove that you suffered a substantial personal injury and the injury was directly caused by the negligence of another party. A bad result alone is not enough to establish negligence. We let you know upfront if we are able to move forward with the legal process, or if we don’t think you have a case. Generally, we will know if you have a case after our first phone call or meeting.
If we believe you have a valid claim and decide to move forward with litigation, our attorneys and staff will then take it from there and do everything else that needs to be done, including obtaining and reviewing records relevant to your case, such as accident reports and other law enforcement documents, employer records, medical records, and other information.
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How long will it take to resolve my case?
Every case is different, and there is no way to predict how long it will take for your case to be resolved. Some cases end in a matter of months, while the most complex and challenging cases, such as a medical malpractice case, can span several years. The vast majority of cases, however, are resolved before a trial and usually within a year.
The goal is to make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries, no matter how long it takes whether that comes in the form of a pre-trial settlement, or with a jury verdict in your favor.
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How much is my case worth?
There are many factors that need to be considered when determining the value of your case. Every case is unique and it takes a team effort — including your attorney, staff researchers, and outside experts — to determine the extent of your damages and how much your case is worth. There are two types of damages for which you could receive
compensation: Economic and non-economic.If your case goes to trial and a jury agrees you deserve compensation, the jury members will decide how much the money you should receive for each category of damages.