{"id":357961,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:17","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/admiralty-law.html"},"modified":"2023-09-01T13:05:14","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T18:05:14","slug":"admiralty-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/choosing-the-right-lawyer\/admiralty-law.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Admiralty and Maritime Law?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Admiralty and Maritime Law?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hanan Zaki, J.D., LL.M.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Admiralty, or maritime law, governs injuries, accidents, and contract disputes that occur on navigable waters. If you\u2019re injured at sea or involved in a maritime dispute, an admiralty lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue the remedies available under federal and state maritime law.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Because these cases fall under federal jurisdiction and involve specialized statutes like the Jones Act, DOHSA, and COGSA, maritime claims follow rules that differ from ordinary personal injury or contract cases.<\/p>\n

Admiralty law is invoked when there is an injury on a navigable body of water. Admiralty law also handles disputes involving maritime contracts and federal maritime statutes.<\/p>\n

Today, admiralty law is also known as maritime law. Initially, admiralty law referred to the legal process of litigating admiralty claims in court. Both admiralty and maritime are interchangeable when referring to this area of law. Keep reading to learn more, and when to consult a maritime attorney<\/a> for legal help.<\/p>\n

Federal Jurisdiction<\/h2>\n

The United States Constitution gives federal courts jurisdiction over \u201call cases in admiralty and maritime<\/a>.” This means admiralty is the only practice area granted federal jurisdiction in the Constitution. Case law has developed into general maritime law. Additionally, states have their own maritime statutes. Federal courts allow claimants to recover under both federal and state law for maritime claims.<\/p>\n

Maritime cases consist of torts and contracts. Maritime torts encompass:<\/p>\n