US Hull & Marine Liability

We are pleased to offer a US centric 24/7 dedicated Hull and Marine Liability service for both the US domestic market and overseas insurers requiring assistance in the Americas. Our focus in the US is both brown water Hull and yachts/pleasure craft alongside Marine General Liability.

Marine General Liability Claims

On the MGL side of our business we can help with the following exposures:

Ship Repairer / Builder’s Risk – claims arising from legal liability obligations that a ship repairer/builder has for damage to vessels while in their care, custody and control.
Marina/Boatyard Operator – claims arising from the legal liability that a Marina Operator for customers, visitors and other third parties at the insured location, as well as craft under the care, custody and control of the marina operator.
Terminal Operator / Wharfinger – claims arising from the legal liability obligations of a wharf or terminal operator-owner for damage to vessels or cargo while in its care, custody or control (CCC). We also pursue recovery for any damages caused to terminal or wharf by vessels/craft or cargo.
Marine Contractor / Stevedores / Maritime Employers – claims arising from legal liability obligations of marine contractors, stevedores, crew injury claims. We also handle / investigate claims being brought under LHWCA and Jones Act.

We will deal with all the various aspects of US liability claims both in tort or contractual. Our work includes gathering incident information, investigation and evidence collection. Depending upon the merits of the claim, we will aim to negotiate a commercial settlement in order to avoid the costs and uncertainty of litigation. We keep clients fully apprised of the progress and strategy with regards to the claim.

Hull & Machinery Claims

On the Hull side of our business we can help US insurers with the following exposures:

Vessel Types: Ocean-Going vessels, Fishing vessels, Tugs and Barges, Lakers, Pleasure Craft

Dealing with all aspects of Hull and Machinery claims:

Machinery damage
Collision
Damage to fixed and floating objects
Grounding
Fire/explosion
Total loss investigations

We work closely with experienced and trusted surveyors throughout North America (and the Americas generally) to establish extent of loss. We carry out casualty investigations including taking formal witness statements, securing evidence in a timely manner where third party claims are likely to arise or claims are considered potentially controversial.

We deal with security and jurisdiction issues and can avoid vessels being detained. We pursue or defend claims arising out of the incident with the aim to avoid litigation as far as possible. We keep our clients fully apprised of developments.

Yacht Claims

We handle all elements of yacht and pleasure craft claims including personal injury and third-party liability claims like damage to marina facilities, reef damage, salvage and collision liability. We work with specialist surveyors for damage assessment, securing evidence from crew and attend on-site for liability matters. We handle claims on behalf of insurers and brokers from first notification until settlement including advice on policy terms. We obtain receipt & release or subrogation forms. We defend or pursue liability claims as required.

How to Report a New Claim

If you have a new loss, please report this to:

wrichards@wkwebsteroverseas.com

Mobile (24/7 contact): +1 646 203 7126

Office: +1 212 402 7430

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