Boating Accident Injury Representation

Boating is a popular recreational activity on the beaches, rivers and lakes in the Georgia and Florida area.  A “boating accident” refers to any accident involving any type of watercraft in which a serious injury results from someone else’s negligence. For example, serious injuries can occur in crashes involving yachts, jet skis or other watercraft crashes, or they can occur on commercial boating and cruise ship accidents, in which no boating collision occurred.

Recreational Boating Accidents

Unfortunately, many people are seriously injured each year in boating-related accidents that result from the negligent use of boats and other personal watercrafts. Recreational boaters who are not experienced with speed boats, jet skis, and other watercrafts often cause accidents resulting in significant injuries to themselves and others.

If the operator of any watercraft is negligent and causes you, or any member of your family, serious injury or death and/or serious property damages, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, and more.

Commercial Boating Accidents

Working on a sea vessel is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Employers are required by the Jones Act, a federal law, to provide employees with a reasonably safe workplace. However, these regulations are not strongly enforced. Many employers neglect necessary maintenance in order to maximize their profits, which forces employees to work in an unsafe environment. Liability under the Jones Act requires the plaintiff to prove that the employer was negligent or that the vessel was unseaworthy.

The Jones Act allows surviving members of a seaman’s family to file for wrongful death benefits if the seaman dies because of the negligence of his employer, or the unseaworthiness of the vessel. To qualify, the death must occur more than three (3) miles off the store of any state. The seaman’s descendants may be entitled to receive compensation for pecuniary loss.