How are legal issues handled when maritime vessels cause damage to other property?
There are a few presumptions that are considered in every case of vessel damage. With the damage from Hurricane Florence, our attorneys are receiving inquiries about these, and we want to help answer some of those concerns.
There are three noteworthy presumptions that apply to incidents which are subject to maritime and admiralty laws and are often at issue following storms such as Hurricane Florence.
These presumptions known as the Oregon Rule, Louisiana Rule and Pennsylvania Rule sound state-oriented, but they aren’t state-specific. The rules were named for vessels involved in cases and apply to any incidents which are subject to maritime and admiralty laws—including those applicable to incidents in North Carolina.
For more on these presumptions, check our “Maritime and Admiralty Presumptions Concerning Damages Caused by Vessels” fact sheet or contact our Admiralty and Maritime Practice Group.
