Wrongful Death Attorney in Miami

Board-Certified Admiralty Counsel for Maritime Wrongful Death Families in Miami

Losing a family member aboard a cruise ship or in any maritime accident leaves families facing grief alongside a legal system that operates under rules most attorneys have never encountered. At Michael C. Black, P.A., we’ve spent more than 30 years representing families in maritime and admiralty wrongful death cases from our Miami office. Attorney Michael C. Black holds board certification in Admiralty and Maritime Law from the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education, a credential held by very few attorneys in Florida. These cases aren’t an occasional addition to a general practice. They’re central to what we do.

We represent clients throughout the United States and internationally, and we offer a free initial consultation to every family we speak with. We return calls promptly, keep families informed at every stage, and provide representation in both English and Spanish. Se Habla Español.

What We Do from the First Call Forward

We begin with a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the death and move quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears. Vessel records, crew logs, surveillance footage, and witness accounts are all time-sensitive. Cruise lines assign legal teams to protect their interests almost immediately after an incident. Prompt action by legal counsel is how families can protect their own position.

We coordinate with maritime authorities, forensic experts, and industry professionals as needed, while maintaining consistent communication with the family and managing all court filing requirements. Many major cruise lines contractually require lawsuits to be filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami-Dade County. PortMiami is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, and the cruise lines operating from it commonly include venue clauses in their ticket contracts that funnel litigation into the Southern District. Knowing that court, its judges, and its procedural norms is a practical advantage, and it can make local maritime counsel a necessity rather than a preference.

Who Can File a Maritime Wrongful Death Claim in Miami

Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act, the decedent’s personal representative must file the claim on behalf of the estate and surviving family members. Eligible survivors typically include spouses, children, and parents; certain dependent relatives may also qualify. The Florida Wrongful Death Act imposes a two-year statute of limitations from the date of death, and errors in paperwork or missed deadlines can delay or limit recovery.

We help families determine who is eligible to file and manage all communication with local courts and agencies. Identifying the correct beneficiaries and understanding how damages are distributed requires careful analysis, particularly where maritime statutes create overlapping rules about who qualifies and for what.

DOHSA, the Florida Wrongful Death Act, & Cruise Line Ticket Contracts

The law governing a maritime wrongful death claim depends on where the death occurred, the decedent’s status, and the specific terms of the cruise line’s ticket contract. Three separate legal frameworks may apply, and they produce very different legal considerations for families.

The Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) applies when a death results from wrongful act, neglect, or default occurring more than three nautical miles from the US shoreline. DOHSA limits recoverable damages to pecuniary losses, meaning economic losses such as lost earnings and financial support. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering and loss of companionship aren’t recoverable under DOHSA. When a death occurred within Florida state territorial waters, the Florida Wrongful Death Act may apply instead and can allow a broader range of damages. For deceased seamen, the Jones Act may also be relevant. Under DOHSA, families of deceased seamen generally have three years to file under 46 U.S.C. § 30106, but cruise line ticket contracts commonly impose much shorter deadlines, sometimes requiring written notice within six months and a lawsuit within one year.

Determining which law applies, and what that means for recoverable damages, requires analysis that goes well beyond general legal knowledge. We handle that determination as a standard part of every maritime wrongful death case we take.

We represent the families of cruise ship passengers, seamen, and longshore and harbor workers in wrongful death claims arising from:

• Drowning
• Overboard accidents
• Shore excursion accidents
• Collisions
• Assaults
• Work-related accidents
• Defective products
• Accidents involving cargo
• Slip and falls