Maritime

We have dealt with virtually every type of legal problem that confronts the maritime industry, ranging from the most complex casualty and environmental litigation to routine cargo claims.

For over 30 years, McConnell Valdés has provided a wide array of maritime legal services. We represent protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, marine underwriters, multinational transportation companies, cruise lines, marine financing entities, and related maritime companies. While many cargo losses originate from an isolated incident (i.e. theft, handling damage, breakdown of reefer machinery), other claims result from major casualties, such as collisions, groundings, sinkings, fires, explosions and heavy weather. We have significant experience in dealing with such major loss cases and, on short notice, our attorneys are prepared to attend at the scene of casualties and conduct on board investigations in order to develop and preserve evidence.

When a serious casualty occurs, the initial investigation and the evidence gathered could have a significant impact on the eventual outcome of the case. Crewmembers and witnesses need to be interviewed promptly, and often the vessel's owners or crewmembers need representation in investigations by the United States Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies. The immediate aftermath of a serious collision or casualty is a time when an experienced maritime attorney is essential.

Our Maritime Law Attorneys have represented clients in connection with all types of casualties, both domestically and internationally, and our experience ranges from simple groundings to the most complex collisions, involving general average, salvage and limitation of liability issues. This background and experience enables us to provide sound, practical advice in the initial stages of a casualty through to conclusion.

We maintain a close working relationship with a number of other Western Hemisphere and Caribbean law firms specializing in maritime law. We also are active participants in a number of maritime professional organizations and several of our attorneys are Proctors in Maritime Law.

Some of our representative clients are Gard AS, The Swedish Club and The Continental Insurance Company.