Experienced Maritime Accidents Attorney in New York City
If you or someone you love got hurt working on a boat, ship, ferry, or any other vessel in New York City waters, you already know how different these cases are from regular accidents. Maritime law is its own beast. Regular personal injury rules don’t always apply when you’re injured at sea or on navigable waterways around NYC.
You might be dealing with everything from a slip on a cargo ship deck to a serious crane accident at the port. Maybe you got injured on a tugboat in the harbor, or fell through faulty equipment on a commercial fishing vessel. These accidents happen more often than people think around New York’s busy waterways, and the laws that cover them are completely different from a car accident or workplace injury on land.
At Michael Gunzburg, P.C., we’ve spent decades helping maritime workers and passengers get the compensation they deserve after serious accidents on the water. We understand Jones Act claims, Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation, and general maritime law, and we know how to fight the shipping companies and their insurance carriers who try to lowball injured workers.
What Maritime Accident Cases Actually Are
In simple terms, a maritime accident is any injury that happens on a vessel or in connection with maritime work. That includes injuries on boats, ships, barges, tugboats, ferries, cruise ships, commercial fishing vessels, or even while loading and unloading cargo at NYC ports and terminals.
Here’s the technical part for search purposes: Maritime accident claims fall under federal admiralty and maritime law, which includes protections like the Jones Act (for seamen), the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (for dock workers and longshoremen), and general maritime law remedies like maintenance and cure. These laws provide different and, in many cases, more generous protections than standard New York workers’ compensation, but they’re also more complicated to navigate.
Common maritime accidents we handle include:
- Slip and falls on wet decks or gangways
- Equipment failures and crane accidents
- Chemical exposures and toxic spills
- Fires and explosions on vessels
- Man overboard incidents
- Injuries from defective safety equipment
- Accidents during loading and unloading operations
- Collisions between vessels
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Exposure to asbestos or other hazardous materials
- Other aquatic injuries
Why Maritime Accident Law Matters in New York City
New York City has one of the busiest harbors in the country. We’ve got massive container terminals in Brooklyn and Staten Island, ferry operations crisscrossing the East River and Hudson River, cruise ship terminals in Manhattan, and commercial fishing operations throughout the five boroughs.
From Red Hook to the Port of New York and New Jersey, from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the Hudson River piers, maritime work happens everywhere around NYC. And with all that activity comes risk.
Here’s what makes maritime accidents different in New York:
Busy Waterways: NYC’s harbor is crowded. The East River, Hudson River, and New York Harbor see constant traffic from tugboats, ferries, cargo ships, cruise liners, and recreational boats. More vessels mean more chances for accidents.
Old Infrastructure: Many of our docks, piers, and terminals were built decades ago. Equipment breaks down, walkways deteriorate, and safety systems fail. When companies don’t maintain their facilities properly, workers get hurt.
Weather Challenges: Winter ice, summer heat, fog, and sudden storms all create dangerous conditions for maritime workers. A wet deck in January can be a death trap.
Union vs Non-Union Issues: Some maritime workers have union protections, others don’t. This affects your rights and how you file claims.
Jurisdictional Confusion: Was your accident on state waters or federal waters? Were you a seaman under the Jones Act or a longshoreman? These questions determine which laws apply to your case, and companies love to argue about jurisdiction to avoid paying claims.
The shipping companies and their insurers are experts at denying claims or offering settlements that are way too low. They know most injured workers don’t understand maritime law, so they take advantage. That’s where having an experienced NYC maritime accident attorney makes all the difference.
How We Handle Your Maritime Accident Case (Step-by-Step)
When you come to us after a maritime injury, here’s exactly what happens:
Step 1: Free Consultation
We sit down with you (in person or by phone) and hear your story. Where did it happen? What were you doing? What injuries did you suffer? We’ll ask questions about your employment status, the vessel or facility, and what happened immediately after the accident.
Step 2: Investigation
We gather all the evidence, accident reports, photos, witness statements, maintenance records, safety inspection reports, and your medical records. We often work with maritime experts and investigators who know how to uncover the truth about what went wrong.
Step 3: Determine Your Legal Rights
Are you covered under the Jones Act? Longshore Act? Do you have a general maritime law claim? We figure out exactly which laws protect you and what compensation you’re entitled to.
Step 4: Build Your Case
We document everything, your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. We calculate the full value of your claim, not just what the insurance company wants to pay.
Step 5: Negotiate or Litigate
Most cases settle, but we’re always prepared to take your case to federal court if the other side won’t offer fair compensation. We’ve taken maritime cases to trial and won significant verdicts for our clients.
Step 6: Get You Paid
Once we secure a settlement or verdict, we make sure you actually get your money, and we help you understand any tax implications or liens that might affect your recovery.
Throughout the entire process, we keep you updated. You’re not just a case number to us.
Areas We Serve
We represent maritime accident victims throughout the New York City area, including:
- Manhattan (West Side piers, Chelsea Piers, cruise terminals)
- Brooklyn (Red Hook, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Gowanus Bay, Sunset Park terminals)
- Queens (World’s Fair Marina, Jamaica Bay)
- Staten Island (Howland Hook Marine Terminal, Port Richmond, St. George Ferry Terminal)
- The Bronx (Hunts Point, City Island)
- Port of New York and New Jersey facilities
- All NYC waterways (East River, Hudson River, New York Harbor, Long Island Sound)
No matter where your accident happened in the NYC metro area, we can help.
Maritime Accident FAQ
Do I really need a maritime accident lawyer?
Yes. Maritime law is federal law, and it’s completely different from regular New York personal injury law. The Jones Act, Longshore Act, and general maritime law all have specific rules, deadlines, and procedures. If you try to handle this yourself, you’ll probably miss important rights or accept way less money than you deserve. The shipping companies have lawyers working for them from day one, you should too.
How much does a maritime accident lawyer cost?
We work on contingency, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. We only get paid if we win your case, then we take a percentage of your recovery. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us attorney fees. We’ll explain our fee structure clearly during your free consultation.
What if my employer says I’m only covered by workers’ comp?
This is a common tactic. Maritime workers often have rights beyond standard workers’ compensation. Depending on your job and where the accident happened, you might be entitled to Jones Act damages (which include pain and suffering), Longshore benefits, or maintenance and cure. Don’t let your employer tell you what your rights are, let us review your situation and tell you what you’re actually entitled to.
How long do I have to file a maritime accident claim?
It depends on the type of claim, but most maritime injury claims have a three-year statute of limitations under general maritime law. Jones Act claims have a three-year limit. However, certain claims have shorter deadlines, and you need to provide notice to your employer much sooner. Don’t wait, call us as soon as possible after your accident.
What happens if I was partially at fault for my accident?
Unlike regular workers’ comp (which is no-fault), maritime law allows you to recover even if you were partially negligent, as long as your employer’s negligence contributed to the accident. Under the Jones Act, you can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault, though your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. This is actually one of the advantages of maritime law over standard workers’ comp.
Can I get compensation for future medical bills and lost wages?
Absolutely. In a Jones Act or general maritime negligence case, you can recover for all past and future damages, including ongoing medical treatment, future surgeries, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and disability. We work with medical experts and economists to calculate the true long-term value of your claim.
Get Help from an Experienced NYC Maritime Accident Attorney
Maritime accidents can destroy lives. Serious injuries on the water often mean months or years of medical treatment, permanent disabilities, and financial hardship for you and your family. You deserve every dollar of compensation the law allows, not whatever lowball offer the insurance company throws at you.
Michael Gunzburg, P.C. has been fighting for injured New Yorkers for over 37 years. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in all types of accidents, including maritime cases. We know how to deal with shipping companies, vessel owners, and their insurance carriers. And we’re not afraid to take your case to trial if that’s what it takes.
Don’t try to navigate maritime law alone. Call us today at 212-725-8500 or contact us through our website for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you understand your options – no obligation, no pressure.
Let us fight for you so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
