He is a marine industry professional with over 40 years of experience, currently focused on providing expert witness services in marina and waterfront litigation nationwide. His work primarily involves cases related to personal injury, wrongful death, and operational failures occurring within marina facilities, boatyards, and public access waterfront structures.
As an expert witness, Mr. Hart provides case analysis, evaluates standard of care, and delivers professional opinions in matters involving marina operations, facility design, maintenance practices, and safety protocols. He has been retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel and contributes to litigation through detailed reporting, deposition support, and testimony.
Mr. Hart’s expertise is grounded in decades of real world experience managing, developing, and consulting on marina operations at both municipal and private levels. He has earned recognition from respected marine leaders, including the late Robert O. Cox (former Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner and Mayor) as “One of the Most Qualified Professionals in the Industry.”
Throughout his career, he has been directly involved in the planning, development, and funding of marina and waterfront projects, securing over $11 million in public grant funding and leading initiatives involving dock systems, dredging operations, boat ramps, a mega-yacht dockage, and overall marine infrastructure with municipalities across Florida, like the City of Fort Lauderdale and City of St. Petersburg.
In recent years, Jamie has expanded his professional practice to include expert witness services, providing expert analysis and testimony in complex marina-related litigation, including wrongful death and slip-and-fall cases involving marina operations and contractor performance.
He is a Certified Marina Manager (CMM) and has long-standing involvement in professional marine industry organizations. His combined experience in operations, safety standards, and facility design provides a strong foundation for evaluating liability, causation, and industry compliance in legal cases.
In 2010, Mr. Hart received an Award of Excellence from the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, recognizing his impact and leadership within the marine industry. Over the course of his career, Jamie has achieved significant operational and financial milestones for multiple public and private-sector departments, including:
Expert Witness & Consulting Services Tailored for Municipal, Legal, and Waterfront Infrastructure Needs. Jamie Hart specializes in Marina Operations, Management, Grant-related work, and complex Marine Consulting matters, backed by more than 40 years of experience in the Marine Industry.
Supporting maritime and personal injury attorneys with expert analysis of marina operations, dock infrastructure, and waterfront safety practices.
Preparation of expert reports, disclosures, and deposition or trial support.
Initial review of case materials, documentation, and operational practices.
Evaluation of marina operations for compliance with OSHA standards, FEMA requirements, and applicable maritime regulations.
Over 40 years of experience in marina operations, facility management, maintenance programs, and inspection protocols.
Floating dock systems, boat launching facilities, bulkhead construction methods, materials, elevations, and long-term maintenance considerations.
Analysis of safety programs, inspection procedures, maintenance scheduling, and compliance with applicable industry standards and codes.
Review of vendor agreements, operational procedures, and personnel guidelines related to marina and waterfront facilities.
Selected expert witness engagements across the United States involving marina-related injury, wrongful death, and operational liability cases.
Disclaimer: Certain photographs displayed on this website depict actual marina or waterfront accidents, while others are representative examples used solely to illustrate potential design deficiencies, aging infrastructure, maintenance concerns, unsafe conditions, or possible negligence exposure. Representative images are for informational purposes only and do not imply fault, liability, or association with any specific property, marina, or incident unless otherwise identified.
Retained as expert witness for plaintiff in a marina accident involving deteriorated dock planking that failed, resulting in a fall-through and serious lower leg injury.
When required, collaborates with qualified engineering professionals to support complex reconstruction analysis.
Marina injury accident case examples mainly involve insufficient maintenance and exposure leading to potential acts of negligence.
Injury Case Photos
Case retained by national law firm to evaluate marina design and floating dock construction in a fatal incident case.
Examples of case analysis to evaluate marina design failures typically include, design methods and construction standards, gangway elevation, freeboard height limitations, marina structural components, and expertise in floating various types of fixed and floating dock construction.
Fatal Incident Case Photos
Retained by defense counsel to evaluate liability involving an obstruction-related injury at a condominium marina facility.
Evaluate potential liability involving marina maintenance procedural standards related to design, obstruction and various inspection requirements and examples of insufficient safety standards.
Trip & Fall Incident Case Photos
Retained through nationally recognized expert witness networks supporting law firms and litigation teams. Engagements include collaboration with attorneys on case evaluation, technical analysis, expert reporting, and courtroom testimony.
Representative environments and facilities connected to consulting and infrastructure engagements with Jamie Hart.
To provide objective and comprehensive marine expert witness services through detailed case analysis, research, site evaluation, liability and negligence assessment, review of established safety standards and marina operational procedures, accident reconstruction, accurate findings, and well-prepared disclosure reports, depositions and court testimony that clearly communicate technical issues with credibility and jury relatability.
