Maritime Laws: Limitations of Liability Actions

LOLA only permits boat owners to limit their liability for loss, damage, or injury if the act, damage or injury occurred without the owner’s privity or knowledge or malfeasance and/or nonfeasance. 46 U.S.C. App. § 183 Determining whether LOLA applies instead requires the Court to go through a two-step analysis. Hercules Carriers, Inc. v. Florida, 768 F.2d 1558, 1563-64 (11th Cir.1985). First, the court must determine what acts of negligence or conditions of unseaworthiness caused the accident. Second, the court must determine whether the ship owner had actual knowledge or privity of those same acts of negligence or conditions of seaworthiness.

Contact David Avellar Neblett, Esq., B.C.S. for any questions you may have regarding the limitations of liability actions.