Maritime law, also known as admiralty law, refers to a body of laws that govern nautical matters, including maritime violations and disputes, and can be found at the state, federal, and even international levels. As such, maritime claims work to pursue and recover compensation for people who are injured on the water — not just in an area lake or on the gulf coast in recreational boating or fishing, but also those who work on oil rigs or fishing boats in the Gulf of Mexico or on the high seas.