Admiralty and Maritime Law
Maritime law is a very specialized area of practice governing navigation, shipping, and the rights of people aboard vessels in navigable waters. It protects the rights of seamen as well as passengers on cruise ships, ferries, and pleasure boats.

The practice of maritime law requires mastery of unique procedural and substantive rules which have been developed over centuries to deal with the peculiar features of the marine environment and international commerce. For example, a ship itself is a legal “person” and can be sued separately from its owners. Someone who has a maritime claim can “arrest” a vessel and obtain security for the claim as soon as a complaint has been filed. In addition, unless there are special contractual restrictions, a maritime claimant can bring suit wherever in the world the vessel can be found.

Seamen are considered special wards of the admiralty courts and maritime law provides extraordinary rights and remedies for those who work aboard vessels in navigation. One of these unusual rights is the ability of injured seafarers to receive “maintenance and cure”–in other words, living and medical expenses until they have reached a point of maximum recovery–even if their injuries occurred without fault on the part of the vessel owners and managers.

Taking Legal Action
If you have been hurt aboard a boat or ship, or if you or your property has been injured by a boat or ship, you may be entitled to compensation. You should also consult an admiralty attorney if your own boat has been involved in an accident, suffered a casualty or is the subject of a dispute, or if you have witnessed a ship dumping garbage or otherwise polluting the environment.

If you are involved in any legal matter involving ships or the sea, you need a law firm with highly specialized skill and knowledge.

Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, offers experienced representation for anyone involved in maritime activities.

Resources
http://www.law.cornell.edu/topics/admiralty.html
The Legal Information Institute at the Cornell University School of Law provides an overview of admiralty law including conventions and treaties, federal statutes, and agency regulations.

Auto Accidents
Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for people under the age of 34. Over 2 million injuries and 43,000 deaths annually occur. The economic impact of such accidents exceeds over 150 billion dollars per year

Determining liability in an auto accident is not always an open-and-shut case as contributing factors can be extremely complex. Careful accident reconstruction analysis is often crucial to a successful outcome. For this reason, having an attorney experienced with auto accidents on your side will level the playing field.

Taking Legal Action
Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, offers experienced representation for the victims of automobile accidents.

Resources
DC Doctor
DC Doctor.com provides information on what to do in the even of an accident as well as types of injuries and national statistics.

Aviation Law
Determining liability in an airplane crash requires a team of experts to help make the case. Pilot error, mechanical malfunction, poor maintenance, contaminated fuel, flight instrument malfunction, weather, and runway conditions may be contributing factors in an air crash. In addition, other factors might merit consideration such as negligence on part of the FAA or flight service station, as well as structural and design flaws.

If you have been injured in an aircraft accident, do not hesitate to get in touch.

For more information contact any partner at 1.212.605.6200

Resources
Aviation Law
http://www.house.gov/transportation/aviation/compilations
A compilation of selected aviation laws as amended through February 20, 2003

Police Brutality / False Arrest
The vast majority of police officers act in the best interest of the communities they serve. Regrettably, some officers choose to exceed their authority. Anyone subject to false arrest or police brutality knows the terrible impact such action imposes. In addition to the financial loss one might suffer, the damage done to one’s good name is often irreversible.

Taking Legal Action
Federal and state laws prohibit police officers from abusing their authority, and provide protection and redress for the victims of such abuse.

Resources
Police Brutality
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch offers city-by-city profiles on police brutality.

False Arrest
http://dictionary.law.com
Law.com’s dictionary provides clear definitions of false arrest and false imprisonment.

Landlords and owners of commercial and residential property are obliged to maintain safe, hazard-free environments. Broken sidewalks and curbs, poor lighting and signage, missing or inadequate barriers and guardrails, missing or non-functioning locks, unsafe stairs, and insufficient security are all possible contributing factors in a premises liability case.

It’s important to recognize that such cases may involve more than an accident due toward inhospitable traveling conditions or an inconvenient disorientation because of poor signage. When property owners allow their prosperity to fall into disrepair, all too often, an atmosphere conducive to crime takes root. Robbery, sexual assault, and other forms of repellant conduct benefit from surroundings where scant attention has been paid to their upkeep. Because of this, owners may be held liable for the events that take place on their property.

Taking Legal Action
Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP has aggressively handled premises liability cases for over 20 years.

If you have been injured or assaulted due to poorly maintained premises, you may be entitled to compensation.

For more information contact any partner at 1.212.605.6200