San Diego Maritime Law Attorney
People that work in the shipping industry or spend a considerable amount of time aboard boats understand the unique conditions that dictate maritime laws. However, many individuals are not aware that these specialized maritime regulations exist. Thus, if you are involved in an accident while at sea or even just in a shipyard, it is important to talk to an experienced San Diego maritime law attorney who understands your legal rights and options.
Maritime and admiralty law is specially designed to protect the rights of individuals that work at sea or on sea vessels. Federal courts oversee maritime issues, and without an attorney that is prepared to take your case to this level of jurisdiction, you may not receive the compensation you deserve for any maritime accidents you experience. If you or someone you love has been injured at sea, contact Ritter & Associates today at (619) 296-0123 for more information about our services.
How We Can Help
There are many different types of maritime accidents, and finding an attorney that understands the subtleties of maritime law is crucial to taking action against the injustice that left you injured. The San Diego maritime law attorneys of Ritter & Associates can help you understand your legal options with issues including the following:
Our team of attorneys is dedicated to helping victims pursue the compensation they need not only for medical expenses and lost wages, but also for their physical pain and emotional suffering.
Maritime Law/Jones Act Success
Keith Innes vs. the Multinational Shipping Industry: Keith Innes worked on ships, and he was strong. One day his boss ordered him to do something a machine should have done. Keith was a professional maritime worker and did as ordered. He hoisted the heavy steel cable as ordered— without using hydraulic equipment. But this unreasonable order caused him permanent and painful back injury. We took his case; it was not an easy one because the very large and wealthy shipping corporation refused to compensate the man and his family for ruining his livelihood. In fact, they fought him. The shipping corporation actually spent more than $10,000 just on private investigators to spy on their injured crewman. They secretly videotaped 160 hours of covert surveillance but failed to make a case that he was faking it. It took two federal jury trials to successfully triumph over the multinational corporation, a David vs. Goliath tale. Despite the enormous odds, the substantial monetary costs, and the legal difficulties, neither Keith Innes nor his attorney, Dwight Ritter, ever considered quitting the battle. After the 2nd three-week trial, a federal jury unanimously ordered the full amount of the damages requested. In the end, after a long hard fight, Keith Innes triumphed. For his determination on this case, the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego presented Ritter an “Outstanding Trial Lawyer Award”.
Foreign Tuna Fishermen vs American Purse Seiner: Tuna fishing in the Pacific Ocean is a dangerous occupation. Severe and catastrophic injuries occur quickly and without notice. That’s what occurred to a foreign fisherman, who barely spoke English, but was ordered to jump from one vessel to another. Tragically, he didn’t make it. His leg was severely mangled by the vessel and its fender. He suffered a severe, permanent injury such that he would never work on board a fishing vessel again. The vessel owner, from the island of Guam, and their insurer would not pay. That forced the fisherman, and his attorney, Dwight Ritter, to pursue the vessel and its owners, in Guam, under federal jurisdiction for many years. Fortunately, a Guam jury unanimously ruled in favor of Ritter and his client and awarded a substantial six-figure verdict. Based on Ritter’s efforts in this case and others, he was awarded San Diego Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1997 by the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego
U.S.Tuna Fisherman vs. the Shipping Industry:
He was a hardworking San Diego tuna fisherman. But while working in the engine room, he suffered severe injuries to his back. Surgery restored some of his mobility but his career was lost. The ship-owner and the Insurance Company refused to compensate a man who had been a loyal employee. Ritter took his case and with great determination and intense work, he succeeded in bringing his case before a jury under the Maritime Law/Jones Act. And succeeded in returning a unanimous jury verdict of $1.5 million.
The High Seas: For centuries this is where mankind has gone seeking adventure, pleasure and profit. In California that tradition remains alive, but on the high seas today — from boating, pleasure craft, cruise line operations, commercial construction, transportation and the fishing industry — these thriving maritime activities are also some of the most dangerous and injurious activities in the Golden State and the Pacific Rim areas.
If you or a loved one has suffered damage or injury at sea, you need an experienced advocate in your corner. Veteran trial attorney, Dwight Ritter, learned international and federal maritime law where it has been taught for centuries, at the distinguished London School of Economics.
Dwight Ritter and Associates has won multiple and substantial jury verdicts based on severe and permanent injuries resulting from normal activities on board fishing vessels, oil tankers, tugboats, recreational boats, cruise lines, and other related maritime and boating activities.
The legal issues surrounding maritime law is procedurally different from other injury cases on land, so an injured person and their family needs experienced advocates who have fought and won these cases world wide. You need an advocate who comprehends the complexities of international Maritime Law and the Jones Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, and other maritime statutes.
Call Dwight Ritter and Associate for a free consultation. Proven winners, fighting for you.
Contact Us
When choosing a maritime lawyer, it is imperative that you select an attorney with the experience, compassion, and aggression necessary to effectively represent your rights. Contact the tenacious San Diego maritime lawyers of Ritter & Associates at (619) 296-0123 to discuss your case with a member of our qualified legal team today.
