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Maritime law is extremely complicated, and compensation can be difficult to obtain after an accident on the water. One common frustration for waterway accident victims is the Limitation of Liability Act, which severely limits the amount of compensation a victim can receive from the defendant in a personal injury claim. The Limitation of Liability Act is a classic example of a rule that is unique to maritime claims.

At Munch and Munch, P.A., in Tampa, Florida, our lawyers have decades of combined experience handling maritime and Jones Act claims, and our founding attorney has extensive personal shipboard experience. If you have been injured while operating a boat, personal watercraft or other water-faring vessel, our attorneys know how to work to get you maximum compensation for injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering.

What Is The Limitation Of Liability Act?

Enacted in 1851, the Limitation of Liability Act is a federal statute that can drastically affect the potential recovery of a maritime personal injury lawsuit. Under general maritime law, the owner of a vessel can be held liable for any damage, injury or other loss that occurs during the voyage of the vessel. However, under the Limitation of Liability Act, the owner of the vessel may limit his or her liability if the loss was caused by negligence or an unseaworthy condition that was unknown to the vessel owner.

Why Does This Act Matter?

When properly asserted, the Limitation of Liability Act will limit the liability for the loss to the value of the vessel, including its “freight then pending” after the loss occurred.

In over 40 combined years of experience handling these “limitation actions,” our attorneys have found that accident victims often suffer damages (including medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, etc.) that far exceed the value of the vessel. This limitation on liability can cut very deeply into a victim’s compensation.

We Can Help – Contact Us Today

If you have been injured by an accident on the navigable waters of the U.S., you need a maritime attorney on your side who knows these special maritime rules and how to defend them. For example, there are only certain individuals and circumstances in which the Limitation of Liability Act may be properly applied.

Our lawyers at Munch and Munch, P.A., are committed to protecting the rights of maritime accident victims. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an on-the-water accident, call 888-976-3759 or email us for a free and confidential consultation.