New York Maritime and Admiralty Law Attorneys

Maritime and Admiralty law encompasses a broad range of matters involving navigation, shipping, cargo transport, offshore operations, marine contracts, and commercial maritime transactions. Our attorneys guide clients through legal challenges arising from:

• Vessel collisions and maritime accidents
• Personal injuries under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law
• Cargo loss, damage, or misdelivery
• Offshore equipment and operational disputes
• Insurance coverage and claims for vessels, cargo, and marine equipment
• Mass maritime disasters and multi-party liability

Maritime cases require highly specialized knowledge of federal law, maritime procedure, and industry standards. Our firm represents both individuals and corporate maritime clients in a wide range of disputes, including:

Vessel Collisions & Allisions

We represent clients in vessel-to-vessel collisions and “allisions,” which occur when a vessel strikes a stationary object such as a dock, bridge, or pier. These cases often involve complex fault allocation, navigation rules, Coast Guard investigations, and multi-party liability.

Maritime Wrongful Death Claims

Wrongful death at sea may be governed by federal statutes such as the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) or, depending on location and circumstances, state wrongful death law. We help families navigate these distinctions and pursue maximum compensation for financial loss, survival damages, and other recoverable claims.

Longshore & Harbor Worker (LHWCA) Claims

Dockworkers, terminal employees, and harbor workers may be covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). These cases often involve overlapping claims against employers, vessel owners, and third parties, requiring careful legal strategy from the beginning.

Cruise Ship Injury & Passenger Claims

Cruise ship injury cases involve unique legal rules, strict notice deadlines, forum-selection clauses, and contract limitations buried in passenger ticket terms. We represent passengers injured due to unsafe conditions, negligent security, medical negligence, or onboard operational failures.

Charter Party & Bill of Lading Disputes

Maritime commerce often depends on complex contract frameworks, including charter party agreements and bills of lading. We litigate disputes involving cargo delays, freight claims, demurrage, misdelivery, and contractual enforcement issues under U.S. and international maritime law.

Ship Arrests & Maritime Liens

Admiralty law allows claimants to pursue a vessel directly through in rem actions. We represent clients seeking to arrest a vessel in U.S. ports and also defend vessel owners against wrongful arrest, lien claims, and enforcement proceedings.

Limitation of Liability Act Defense & Challenges

Vessel owners may attempt to limit liability under the Limitation of Liability Act, which can drastically reduce potential damages after a maritime casualty. We represent claimants challenging limitation petitions and also defend vessel owners when limitation rights apply.

Offshore Platform & Rig Accidents

Offshore injuries may involve the Jones Act, maritime negligence law, contractual indemnity disputes, and complex insurance coverage issues. We represent injured workers and maritime businesses in cases involving rig accidents, offshore equipment failure, and operational negligence.

Our maritime practice is informed by deep scholarly and practical knowledge of marine law. Partner Eleni Melekou authored a chapter in Damages Recoverable in Maritime Matters, analyzing salvage claims, towage disputes, and quantum meruit recovery. This work addresses:

• Pure and contract salvage awards
• Life and environmental salvage claims
• Methods for calculating damages and compensation in complex maritime operations

This expertise strengthens our ability to evaluate liability exposure, quantify recoverable damages, and litigate high-value Admiralty disputes involving maritime operations and salvage-related claims.

Maritime disputes frequently cross borders and involve foreign companies, foreign-flag vessels, and international contract provisions. Our firm has experience handling complex international Admiralty matters, including:

• Disputes involving foreign-flag vessels
• Choice-of-law and forum-selection clauses in maritime contracts
• Hague-Visby Rules and COGSA cargo liability issues
• Enforcement of foreign judgments and maritime arbitration awards
• Arrest of foreign vessels in U.S. ports
• Multi-jurisdictional claims involving international shipping operations

We assist clients in navigating international legal exposure while aggressively protecting their commercial interests in U.S. federal admiralty courts.

We represent both individuals and corporate clients involved in maritime operations. Our services include:

• Accident and Injury Claims: Pursuing Jones Act, maritime personal injury, and wrongful death cases
• Cargo and Shipping Disputes: Addressing losses, delays, misdelivery, and contract enforcement
• Insurance and Coverage Disputes: Enforcing or defending marine insurance policies related to vessels, cargo, and offshore equipment
• Commercial Litigation: Handling multi-party disputes, vessel liability, and contractual disagreements
• Regulatory Compliance: Advising on federal and international maritime regulations to minimize risk and exposure

What is the Jones Act?

A: The Jones Act allows seamen injured on navigable waters to recover damages for work-related injuries, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Can I pursue a claim for cargo damage?

A: Yes, under general maritime law and applicable shipping contracts, you may seek compensation for lost, damaged, or delayed cargo.

Do Admiralty claims differ from regular personal injury cases?

A: Yes. Maritime claims often involve specialized statutes, limitation of liability rules, and multi-jurisdictional regulations.

What damages are recoverable in salvage operations?

A: Courts may award damages for property saved, life or environmental preservation, and contractual salvage agreements, depending on the type and scope of the operation.

What qualifies as a seaman under maritime law?

A: Generally, a seaman is someone who spends a substantial portion of their work time contributing to the function or mission of a vessel in navigation. Seaman status is a legal determination and is often heavily disputed in injury litigation.

Can non-U.S. citizens bring maritime claims in New York?

A: Yes. Depending on where the incident occurred, the vessel’s flag, and the contract terms involved, non-U.S. citizens may be able to pursue maritime injury, cargo, or commercial claims in U.S. courts.

What is a maritime lien and how is it enforced?

A: A maritime lien is a legal claim against a vessel itself, often arising from unpaid services, supplies, crew wages, or damage caused by the vessel. Maritime liens may be enforced through vessel arrest proceedings in federal admiralty court.

How long do I have to file a maritime injury claim?

A: Deadlines vary depending on the type of claim. Some maritime injury cases have a three-year statute of limitations, but cruise ship cases may have much shorter notice and filing deadlines under passenger ticket contracts.

What is the Limitation of Liability Act?

A: The Limitation of Liability Act is a federal law that may allow a vessel owner to limit financial responsibility after a casualty to the value of the vessel and pending freight. These proceedings are complex and require immediate legal action to protect a claimant’s rights.

Whether you are a shipping company, vessel operator, offshore contractor, or an individual injured at sea, Pardalis & Nohavicka LLP provides comprehensive guidance and aggressive advocacy in maritime disputes.

Our attorneys are experienced in federal admiralty courts, international shipping disputes, vessel casualty litigation, and complex maritime damages.