Maritime or Boating Investigations

Investigation of a water related accident claim can be difficult and costly. Nonetheless, a timely investigation of all available evidence related to the case may be critical to a favorable outcome. Photos and videos of relevant conditions (the inside and the outside of the vessels, the waves or ocean conditions, the reefs, sandbars, signs, buoys and channels, any other dangers giving rise to the accident, the activities being carried on in the area of the accident, etc.), the dive equipment, surfboard, bodyboard or other equipment involved, the area(s) where the injuries and damages were sustained and the injuries and damages themselves, may prove invaluable in proving up an accident claim to a claims adjuster, a judge or a jury. Photographic or video documentation of the accident should be done as soon as possible.

Generally, cases involving water related accidents include a very complicated hodge-podge of traditional (and often inconsistent) maritime and other water related doctrines and claims. (It is probably so complicated because it has been around so long that Congress has often revisited this area of law to simplify and clarify it.) In spite of the Federal Courts' so-called "exclusive jurisdiction" over admiralty claims, most water-related accidents have one or more causes of action which can be brought under state law. Often state law is the most promising avenue for recovery. Sometimes there is more than one state where the action can be brought (and occasionally more than one country). Contacting ICS immediately in which to pursue this type of claim is very important.