Maritime cases can get a bit tricky. The jurisdiction under the maritime or admiralty law is different from jurisdiction under common law. The statute of limitations allows a person three years to pursue legal action for a personal injury or wrongful death. After that time has passed a person can no longer file a claim no matter how severe their injury may have been. Cargo cases must be brought within one year.
Although the Article III , Section 2 of the United States Constitution grants original jurisdiction to U.S. federal courts, there is a clause in place that allows most maritime cases to be heard in either state or federal courts.
There are five types of federal maritime cases that can be heard in court. The five cases share one common element that requires the court to exercise jurisdiction over maritime property.
SMS Legal