The maritime industry is integral to the Gulf Coast, with countless vessels navigating its intricate waterways. While federal maritime law traditionally applied to incidents occurring on the water, what happens when a vessel causes an injury or damage that takes place on land? This critical legal gap is addressed by the Admiralty Extension Act (AEA).
If you or your property has been harmed on a dock, pier, bridge, or any other land-based structure due to the actions of a vessel on navigable waters, your claim may fall under this specialized federal law. At our firm, our experienced Admiralty Extension Act Lawyers are adept at navigating the unique complexities of these “ship-to-shore” claims, ensuring that victims across the Gulf Coast receive the justice and full compensation they deserve.
The Admiralty Extension Act (46 U.S. Code § 30101), enacted in 1948, is a vital piece of legislation that expanded federal maritime jurisdiction to cover certain incidents that originate on navigable waters but cause injury or damage on land.
Prior to the AEA, a peculiar jurisdictional gap existed in maritime law. If a vessel collided with another vessel on the water, it was a maritime tort. However, if that same vessel struck a pier or a bridge, injuring someone on land, traditional admiralty jurisdiction did not apply because the injury was “consummated on land.”
This meant victims had to pursue claims under varying state laws, leading to inconsistent remedies and often leaving individuals without the specialized protections of federal maritime law. The AEA was passed to resolve this inconsistency, extending admiralty jurisdiction landward for injuries or damages “caused by a vessel on navigable waters.”
For a claim to fall under the Admiralty Extension Act, two primary elements must be met:
The AEA specifically covers “ship-to-shore” torts, meaning a land-based injury or damage must have a direct causal link to a vessel operating on navigable waters. It doesn’t matter whether the vessel was moving or stationary at the time, only that its actions, or conditions related to it, were the direct cause of harm on land.
The AEA aims to provide a federal remedy for a broad range of individuals and entities whose person or property is harmed on land due to a vessel.
While longshoremen and dock workers are generally covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) for their on-the-job injuries, the AEA can provide an additional avenue for recovery.
For example, if a longshoreman is injured on the dock not by their employer’s negligence, but directly by the negligence of a vessel owner (e.g., a vessel’s crane malfunctions and drops cargo onto the dock, injuring a worker), the AEA allows that worker to sue the vessel owner under federal maritime law.
Anyone present on a land-based structure, such as:
The AEA also extends to property damage. This means if a vessel:
The property owner can pursue a claim under the AEA in federal admiralty court.
It’s important to note that the AEA generally does not apply to seamen (crew members of a vessel). Seamen injured in the course of their employment, even if they are on land but still “in the service of the vessel,” typically fall under the Jones Act or General Maritime Law. The AEA was designed to fill the gap for non-seamen injured on land by a vessel.
The Gulf Coast’s active waterways frequently see incidents that could lead to claims under the Admiralty Extension Act.
While the AEA provides a vital remedy, successfully pursuing a claim under it requires a specialized understanding of maritime law and its unique jurisdictional tests.
It’s not enough for an injury to occur on land and a vessel to be nearby. Your attorney must prove that the injury was caused by the vessel and that the incident had a “maritime nexus” – a significant relationship to traditional maritime activity. This often involves detailed accident reconstruction and expert testimony.
Even with the AEA, jurisdictional disputes can arise. Your attorney will ensure your case is filed in the proper court (typically federal admiralty court) to best protect your rights and ensure federal maritime law principles are applied.
In many AEA cases, multiple parties may be at fault, including the vessel owner, the vessel operator, the pilot, the tug company, or even equipment manufacturers. A skilled attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and pursue all available avenues for compensation.
Injuries caused by vessels can be severe, leading to extensive medical bills, lost wages, and long-term disability. We work diligently to secure comprehensive compensation for all your damages, including:
Seek immediate medical attention. Report the incident to local authorities and any relevant property owners. If safe, document the scene, the vessel involved, and your injuries with photos or videos. Do not sign any documents or give recorded statements to vessel owners, their insurers, or their representatives without first consulting with an Admiralty Extension Act lawyer.
The general statute of limitations for personal injury claims under the Admiralty Extension Act is three years from the date of the injury. However, special circumstances, such as claims against government-owned vessels, may have shorter notice periods. It is critical to contact a maritime attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
No. The injury or damage must be caused by a vessel on navigable waters. If, for example, you slip and fall on a pier due to a loose board, and no vessel was directly involved in causing that specific hazard, the AEA would not apply.
Generally, no. The AEA was designed to extend admiralty jurisdiction to non-seamen injured on land by vessels. If you are a seaman injured “in the service of the vessel” while on land, your claim would typically fall under the Jones Act or General Maritime Law, which offer specific protections for seamen.
Yes. The AEA explicitly extends admiralty jurisdiction to cases of damage to property as well as persons, provided the damage was caused by a vessel on navigable waters and consummated on land.
When a maritime incident extends its reach from the water onto solid ground, the legal questions become complex, straddling the line between state and federal law. The Admiralty Extension Act is a powerful tool to ensure victims of these unique accidents receive the full protection of federal maritime law.
If you or your property has been harmed on the Gulf Coast by the actions of a vessel, you need an attorney who understands the precise application of the AEA and its nuances. At our firm, our experienced Admiralty Extension Act Lawyers are dedicated to unraveling these complexities, building a strong case on your behalf, and fighting for the comprehensive compensation you deserve.
Don’t let jurisdictional complexities prevent you from securing justice. Your rights are time-sensitive. Contact us today to discuss your claim.
