maritime lawyers florida

Despite ongoing supply chain issues and traffic disruptions due to COVID-19, Miami-Dade officials recently announced that PortMiami experienced its busiest cargo year in history for Fiscal Year 2021. A November press releasee pointed out that more than 1.25 million standard container units flowed through South Florida’s largest port from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021, representing a 17.6% increase over the previous year. Port officials were able to accomplish this feat without delays or vessel congestion, even with the added challenge of the PortMiami being the busiest in the world for passenger travel.

Of course, with this increase in port activity and potential for additional spikes, there is an associated rise in maritime accidents. Cargo ship crew, dock workers, crane operators, and other longshoremen are exposed to innumerable hazards in this environment, and working around water is just the tip of the iceberg. A Miami maritime injuries attorney can assist with the legal process if you were hurt, but a look at the types of trauma and overview of relevant laws may be helpful.

Common Injuries in the Maritime Work Environment

Once again, a tragic event has occurred in a cruise ship pool. This past Monday May 18, 2015 a ten year old girl drowned aboard the vessel Norweigian Gem. Our Florida cruise ship lawyers are monitoring the case closely. According to attorneys at Gerson & Schwartz, PA, the cruise ship industry does not require lifeguards in their pools. It just does not fit in their business model, says Nicholas I. Gerson of Gerson & Schwartz, PA. This is alarming considering the number of children and pools on passenger vessels. Under federal maritime law, cruise ship operators only have a legal duty to provide reasonable care under the circumstances.

In the last several years, the cruise ship industry in general has been subject to scrutiny based on lack of tougher laws and enforcement of its own rules and regulations. Numerous requests for stricter rules and regulations make their vessels safe are needed for the public. Until recently, cruise ships were not even required to report violent crimes such as rape or sexual assault, nor were they required to cooperate with law enforcement. Accidents like drownings aboard ships are foreseeable and preventable. These ships should have trained lifeguards on duty whenever the pool is open. If the cruise line industry required it’s vessels operate recreational pools with an active life guard and increased safety measures like in you would find in a typical resort, would help make these floating cities safer for all. The cruise ship lawyers at Gerson & Schwartz, PA represent passengers and crew members in all types of accidents. For more information on how we can help, visit www.injuryattorneyfla.com or call toll free at (877) 475-2905.

Articles Tagged with maritime lawyers florida

PortMiami Reports Busiest Cargo Year in History: How Will Increased Traffic Impact Maritime Injuries?

Norwegian Gem Drowning Incident Foreseeable and Preventable, Says Cruise Ship Lawyers at Gerson and Schwartz, PA