Maritime Statute of Limitations

If you or a loved one have been injured at sea and want to pursue legal action against the other party, then you must be aware of the legal deadline.

What is a Statute of Limitations?

The maritime or admiralty statute of limitations is the law pertinent to a specific jurisdiction that limits the period of time a person or business has to file a claims against another individual or entity after an accident. In the state of Texas the limit is two years, but the law varies depending on which state the accident occurred in.

The statute of limitations restricts the time in which the injury occurred or from the time of discovery of the injury in question to a specified amount of years depending on the type of claim in order. After that time period has pass, a person forfeits their legal right to file a claim, no matter what the circumstances may be.

Purpose of Statute

The purpose of the statute of limitations is to ensure that the judgment and conviction is based on evidence that has not degenerated over time. Especially in the case of maritime law. Determining the appropriate statute of limitation in a given case is based upon case-specific factors within a known jurisdiction. For example maritime cases against cruise lines have to be filed by the date that is usually printed in the fine print on your ticket.

If you have been involved in a maritime accident, it is best to consult with a maritime attorney as soon as possible to get all the details that the law entails and to help reserve your legal right to file in the near future.