Lakeland Admiralty & Maritime Lawyer

Traditionally, admiralty law referred to a specialized area of the law dealing with contract disputes and torts (civil wrongs, losses and injuries) that occurred first on the sea and later on all navigable waters. Maritime law, meanwhile, dealt with the rights of merchant seamen and other maritime workers involved in offshore commercial ventures. Today, admiralty and maritime law are considered together or used interchangeably to refer to all types of property damage and injury claims that occur on open waters as well as lakes and rivers and other “navigable waters.”

For more than 15 years, attorney Michael Ruel served insurance companies in Central Florida, defending marinas and other maritime interests in matters ranging from vessel collisions and allisions to negligence claims against vessel owners, and more. Today, the Ruel Law Firm uses that knowledge and experience to take on insurance companies and ensure that clients receive justice and compensation when they are wronged by another. If you need help with an insurance claim to get your vessel repaired, or if you were hurt while working as a seaman, dockworker or other worker in an offshore industry, or as a passenger or operator in a boating accident, the Ruel Law Firm can help. Contact our experienced Lakeland admiralty & maritime lawyer today.

Vessel/Boat Repairs & Insurance Claims

Our Lakeland law firm helps clients from Tampa to Orlando, from the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to the brown waters of the lakes and rivers of Central Florida. Count on the Ruel Law Firm for help with:

• Marine property & casualty insurance coverage,

• Maritime contracts.

• Vessel collisions and allisions.

Ruel Law Firm founder and principal attorney Michael Ruel practiced insurance defense law in Central Florida for 15 years before establishing his own practice to help property owners with their insurance claims. Vessel construction and repair is a highly regulated and specialized industry, and vessel repair can be extremely costly. These factors give the insurance industry an incentive to dispute and deny claims, drag them out for unreasonable lengths, or underpay benefits for the damages done. At the Ruel Law Firm, we know Florida state and federal laws that apply to maritime contracts and insurance policies, and we know how insurance companies approach these claims from the inside out. We’ll provide incisive and effective representation to negotiate an effective resolution of your claim or litigate the matter as needed when an appropriate settlement cannot be reached.

Florida Maritime Law

Somewhere around two million watercraft ply the Florida waterways every year, and with practically nonexistent laws regarding who can operate a watercraft in Florida, motorboats and jet skis are run by people of just about every age, experience and skill level. Proving liability and damages in a recreational boating accident can be much more challenging than the typical car accident; potential defendants can include the boat operator, passengers, the owner of the boat, or the company that rented the watercraft. Accident investigation and reconstruction are also more complicated, and cases often wind up in federal court rather than state court, where the rules are stricter and more complex. Boat owners or operators might not carry liability insurance, either, adding another layer of complexity and difficulty for injured victims to recover compensation for their injuries. The Ruel Law Firm offers the services of an experienced maritime personal injury lawyer to help you get the medical care and compensation you need and deserve after getting hurt in a boating accident caused by another’s negligence.

Contact the Ruel Law Firm Today

Property damage, loss, and injury that occurs at sea or on any navigable water are governed by a different set of laws than similar types of injuries that occur on land. Maritime cases are heard in federal courts instead of state courts, for the most part, and tend to involve federal laws or even international laws as opposed to state laws. Skilled and experienced legal help is necessary to achieve success in your case in this complex and highly technical area. For high-quality, dedicated and professional assistance with admiralty and maritime cases in Central Florida, contact our experienced Lakeland admiralty and maritime vessel repairs/personal injury lawyer today.