Tort Liens

Tort liens, in the context of maritime law, refer to a legal claim against a vessel for damages caused by wrongful acts, such as negligence or accidents. If someone suffers an injury or loss due to the operation of a ship, they may file a tort lien to secure payment for their damages from the vessel itself. This means the injured party can potentially enforce their claim against the ship, giving them a priority right to be compensated from any funds or sale proceeds related to the vessel, even if the shipowner disputes the claim.