About Us
We are Cruise Accident Attorneys
Crewmembers and Passengers, welcome aboard!
The Watford Law Firm, led by lawyer Rebecca Watford, is dedicated to assisting crew members and cruise passengers around the world resolve their legal issues. Assisting those injured at sea and in port is our passion . We help seafarers and passengers with personal injuries get the medical treatment that they need and deserve and navigate the complicated path to obtaining monetary compensation for their permanent loss. We understand the physical and emotional suffering and financial hardship that results from a debilitating injury, and are committed to providing our clients the support that they so desperately need.
The Watford Law Firm is unique in its emphasis on providing clients with personalized service. Clients visiting Miami for legal and medical appointments are assisted by staff members with all aspects of their trip and are accompanied to appointments by attorneys. Our goal is to ensure that our clients feel welcome and supported during the often-stressful legal and medical process.
The Watford Law Firm's clients hail from all over the world. Current and past clients include citizens of not only the United States, but many other countries, including but not limited to Turkey, Chile, Croatia, Honduras, Jamaica, Macedonia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Romania, Serbia, Spain, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago and Australia.
We are here to help. We are happy to discuss your legal situation with you and provide you with our initial advice at no cost to you. Please see the "Contact Us" page on this website for more information on the variety of ways we can connect with one another, or in the alternative, utilize the contact information appearing directly below.
Our Team Members
Attorney Rebecca B. Watford
Rebecca Watford has been a practicing attorney and litigator in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. for over 20 years. Her practice is dedicated representing plaintiffs and personal injury claimants, with an emphasis on maritime industry-related claims. She has dedicated many years to advocating for the rights of seafarers, crew members and passengers injured or suffering losses at the hands of employers, co-workers and medical care providers.
Ms. Watford has been involved in various high-profile, complex, and/or serious injury cases over the years, including cases involving the deaths of seafarers and passengers at sea; workplace accidents resulting in seamen with quadriplegia, paraplegia and amputated limbs; and cases involving permanent injury caused by the medical mistakes of ship and shore side doctors.
Ms. Watford is a graduate of the Florida State University and the University of Miami School of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar and the Bars of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida. Ms. Watford is rated by her peers as "AV Preeminent", the highest possible ranking in both legal ability and ethical standards (via a rating system managed by "Martindale Hubbel"). In addition, she has been named to the "Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers" (also published by Martindale Hubbell).
To contact Rebecca for a free evaluation, please click on the "Contact Us" tab on this website.
Our Team Members
Maria Crespin, Lead Client Liason
Maria Crespin is the Watford Law Firm's lead client liason. She works hard to ensure that clients of the firm receive the attention, information and assistance that they require. She helps clients complete the necessary paperwork, gather the required documents, and prepare for travel to the United States if necessary. Ms. Crespin assists in ensuring that clients visiting the United States during the pendency of their claims are taken care of by coordinating travel arrangements, hotel accommodations, meals and legal and medical appointments. Ms. Crespin strives to assist in answering client questions and delivering updates, and prides herself on providing clients with exemplary service. Please feel free to contact Ms. Crespin via the contact information provided on the "Contact Us" page of this website.
Client Testimonials
Special thank you to The Watford Law Firm for representing me in my case, it was a great experience for me. I came out a winner not only because of the settlement, but the team that represented me. Thank you for the hospitality, dedication, and professionalism shown. Ms. Watford you are a true professional lawyer, I felt I was a winner from the first day you represented me, even in difficult times in the case you made me feel confident, thank you again. Ms. Crespin, you are a great person. I want to say special thanks to you for the "Motherly Love" you have shown me on each occasion I came to Miami. Thanks for being very informative in every aspect of my case, thank you again. Because of this experience with The Watford Law Firm, I became much wiser and found my true potentials as a person. Today I'm managing my own business. I will recommend The Watford Law Firm to any Crew member who needs assistance from a professional Law Firm. Yours truly, Gregory Gary Toussaint from Trinidad
To this day i still can't explain how I found Ms. Watford, but i am ever so grateful that I did. After speaking with number of attorneys in Miami who all came to conclusion that i do not have a case and any attempt to go against the Goliath(CCL) would not have a similar outcome as the legend, Ms.Watford ensured me that we do have a case and went an extra mile by examine all my medical records prior to filing for my case with Carnival Cruise Lines. She asked permission for everything, had advice for me every step of the way, was very diligent in her approach and quite vigilant of the steps she took. Needles to say, after only 7 months after filing the claim with CC, I was rewarded with the victory. For all those who are finding their days in and out in ruthless machine of corporations, with single and only goal of making profit, Ms. Watford and her team are definitely a ray of hope. A huge thanks to Maria Crespin, Ms. Watford's assistant, who was really helpful with all necessary paperwork. After our quest for justice was ended, I was still warmly greeted with personal message from Ms. Watford and her assistants for Christmas and other holidays. A professional with real 'know-how' and empathetic person. Thank you and your team, Ms .Watford, a lot. - Djordje from Serbia
Highly recommended!!! Mrs. Watford's commitment/work on my case was outstanding. I want to thank Mrs. Watford and her staff for the outstanding job they did on my case. Once I started with her firm, I was no longer confused by my rights and how to negotiate the legal world. Rebecca Watford takes her job very serious and she is a real professional. Also, she is a very friendly and positive person. I would also like to mention the excellent support of Maria Crespin from The Watford Law Firm. Without hesitation I recommend this firm!!! Regards, Asan from Turkey
Hi Rebecca, I don't know what to say, dreams come true, Thank you. I would also like to help the people same like me. Maria Thanks to you too. Regards, Grozdanov from Macedonia
"I want the persons who visit the website to know you are the best and honest lawyer in Miami!" Regards, Fratila from Romania
Great team. Very professional and very dedicated to their job.Thank you, Mrs.Watford. Well done! Tancu from Romania
Rights & Remedies
Crewmember & Passenger Rights & Remedies
Ship Crewmembers and Cruise Line Passengers have certain Rights and Remedies under United States laws.
Crewmembers:
Crewmembers who have been injured or denied their wages have a variety of legal tools to assist them in getting the compensation and treatment that they deserve from their employer and/or the vessel owner. Under federal legislation called the "Jones Act", seafarers have a claim against their employer where their employer has been negligent in causing their injury. In addition, regardless of whether or not the employer is negligent, crewmembers are entitled to medical care (called "cure") and a monthly allowance to cover living expenses and related necessities (called "maintenance") until such time as their treatment is complete and there is nothing remaining that can be done better the crewmember's medical condition. Where an employer wrongfully fails to pay wages, seafarers may be entitled to sue not only for their wages, but also for additional sums as penalties.
Crewmembers may also be able to receive monetary compensation for their pain, suffering, mental anguish and loss of capacity to enjoy life as a result of their permanent injury, disability, delay in medical treatment, inadequate medical care, and/or delays in payment of maintenance money.
Seafarers with Jones Act claims and claims for failure to provide "maintenance and cure" typically also qualify to claim compensation for their past lost wages and for their future lost earning ability.
Seafarers must bring their claim within a certain time-frame in order to qualify for compensation. The length of time available within to bring suit is traditionally three years, but may be less depending upon the circumstances of your individual case. Do not delay in seeking the advice of a maritime attorney who is experienced in representing crew members if you intend to make a claim against your employer or the vessel owner.