Practice Areas - Collisions and Casualties

March 11, 2010

COLLISIONS AND CASUALTIES

When a serious casualty occurs, the initial investigation and the evidence gathered can have a significant impact on the eventual outcome of the case. Crewmembers and witnesses need to be interviewed promptly, and often the vessel's owners and/or crewmembers must be represented in hearings and investigations by the United States Coast Guard or the National Transportation Safety Board. The immediate aftermath of a serious collision or casualty is a time when there is no substitute for experience.

Many of our attorneys have been graduated from maritime academies and sailed as officers in the Merchant Marine, or served in the U.S. Navy. Their maritime education, practical seafaring experience, legal training and casualty response experience as counsel have been invaluable in handling major casualties, where frequently decisions must be made early on regarding the direction of the case, often without having the time to obtain expert evaluations.

Our attorneys have represented clients in connection with all types of casualties, both domestically and internationally, and our experience ranges from simple groundings to the most complex collisions, involving general average, salvage and limitation of liability issues. We have extensive experience in representing clients at USCG and NTSB hearings. This background and experience enables us to provide sound, practical advice in the initial stages of a casualty through to conclusion.

We believe that casualties must be handled - not just litigated. Some cases must inevitably be tried, but others should unquestionably be resolved commercially. Our goal, based on our experience, is to work with our clients to develop the best strategy for each particular case, consistent with the facts and law of the case and with the client's business objectives.

The attorneys in our casualty group are prepared to respond 24 hours a day, and we have the technology and staff in place to provide the immediate, efficient response required to expeditiously deal with a casualty.

Representative Cases