Regulations pertaining to maritime law are made up of a complex web of state, federal, and international laws. Many people are not aware that their claims are governed by maritime and admiralty law. Generally speaking, admiralty and maritime law covers injuries sustained on any vessel that is in navigable waters.
The term "vessel" includes but is not limited to water crafts such as pleasure boats, cruise ships, yachts, ferries, offshore oil rigs, barges, tugs, riverboats, fishing boats.
"Navigable waters" is a term that means waterways that are used for business or transportation, such as oceans, or adjacent harbors, rivers, or bodies of water that can be traveled interstate.
If, however, you or a loved one suffered a boating accident or injury while traveling or working as any one of the following than you should
contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, to discuss your potential claim:
- Scuba Diver or Snorkeler
- Jet Ski or Personal Watercraft Rental
- Sexually Assaulted Cruise Ship Passenger or Crew Member
- Ferry Passenger
- Yacht Guest
- Harbor Worker
- Ship Worker or Repairman
- Dock Worker
- Crew Member
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Scuba diving and snorkeling excursions are popular recreational activities along the Florida coast. However, scuba diving and snorkeling accidents typically lead to serious injury, and unfortunately they can also lead to death. Many of these accidents are a result of improperly maintained equipment, insufficient training or professional supervision, and at times poor judgment. The law places a heavy burden on dive companies by requiring the companies to prove they were not negligent in following standard policies, procedures and regulations, or in the alternative, that such a derivation of safety regulation did not contribute to the accident in any way.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, can help you or a loved one receive compensation for injuries involving scuba diving or snorkeling accidents that involve:
- Out-of-air emergencies
- Dangerous water conditions
- Inadequate supervision
- Inadequate training
- Faulty or improperly maintained equipment
- Improper Use of Decompression Tables
- Diver operator negligence
- "Dive buddy” negligence
- Diver/Snorkeler run over by a boat
You or a loved one may be entitled to reimbursement for your medical bills, and compensation for future medical expenses, lost income, & pain and suffering.
Jet Ski or Personal Watercraft Accidents in Clearwater
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida not only leads in the country in the amount of registered boats, but is also ranked first among all states in boating accidents and fatalities. Despite the fact that Florida holds the title of having the most registered boats, it does not require a person over the age of 21 to complete a boating course to learn the most basic rules and guidelines for safe boating operations. Further, Florida does not require personal watercraft or jet ski rental companies to effectively instruct adults over the age of 21 that wish to rent their water crafts in boating safety, unsafe sea conditions, boating laws, appropriate speeds in particular areas of the water, and how to appropriately react in emergency situations. Many personal watercraft and jet ski companies provide little to no instruction before allowing their customers to drive away. Most boating accidents are caused by boaters crashing into other boats or objects, which may lead to serious injuries or death by drowning.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, can help you or a loved one receive compensation for injuries involving personal watercraft or jet ski accidents that involve:
- Collisions
- Groundings
- Unsafe operation
- Speeding
- Negligent Supervision & Entrustment
- Drugs & Alcohol
You or a loved one may be entitled to reimbursement for your medical bills, and compensation for future medical expenses, lost income, & pain and suffering.
Sexual Assault Aboard a Cruise Line in Clearwater
The ugly truth is that sexual assault and rape occur aboard cruise ships by crew-members, or fellow cruise passengers. What is meant to be a relaxing and exotic getaway can become an emotionally, physically and psychologically devastating experience. Victims of sexual assault while abroad a cruise ship can use the civil court system to hold those who failed to prevent the assault financially accountable. Cruise lines are required to protect their passengers from attack by their hired staff. Even if a cruise line did not have an opportunity to prevent the attack, or was unaware of a staff member's propensity for violence, the cruise line is strictly liable for the assault. The lawyers at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, can help you file suit against the cruise line in order to win the compensation for medical treatment, pain and suffering, and other expenses you are entitled to receive.
Ferry, Tour Boat, & Charter Vessel Clearwater Passenger Injury
Passengers of ferries, tour boats, and charter vessels are frequently injured from a variety of things, including:
- Ship operator or crew negligence
- Wet or slick decks that cause a passenger to slip and fall
- Uneven decks, raised thresholds, or other objects that cause a passenger to trip and fall
- Intoxicated passengers, guests or crew members that cause injury
- Severe illness caused by contaminated foods
- Injury to limbs, broken bones, and fractures due to inclement weather
- Death, Traumatic Brain Injury, or other injury caused by improper boat handling
- Man overboard and disappearances
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury while a passenger or guest of a ferry, tour boat, or charter vessel, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost past and future wages, in addition to pain and suffering.
Yacht, Boat, & Other Watercraft Guest Injury
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida not only leads in the country in the amount of registered boats, but is also ranked first among all states in boating accidents and fatalities. Despite the fact that Florida holds the title of having the most registered boats, it does not require a person over the age of 21 to complete a boating course to learn the most basic rules and guidelines for safe boating operations.
Many people incorrectly believe that they assume any and all risk associated with recreational boating once they board a yacht, boat, or other watercraft. The path of recovery for injury while on a yacht, boat, or other type of watercraft depends on the injured person was an employee or guest of the watercraft owner. If the injury was caused by a violation of a navigational regulation then the injured party is entitled to a rebuttable presumption that the violator is liable.
Common situations where a boat operator could be found negligent for injury:
- Collisions with other watercraft of fixed objects;
- Man overboard situations due to improper/negligent handling;
- Injury from propellers;
- Injury caused by purposefully navigating into inclement weather;
- Hitting a big wave or wake at an unsafe speed or angle;
- Operating at a unreasonably high speed;
- Ignorance or violation of navigational rules and regulations;
- Failing to follow proper safety procedures while a guest is skiing or tubing;
- Defective boat design, construction, or repair; and,
- Overcrowding a watercraft.
Passengers and guests that are injured due to boat operator negligence may be entitled to recovery for past and future medical bills, lost wages, in addition to the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
The Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, is a Clearwater personal injury law firm that handles maritime claims throughout the State of Florida. For more information regarding boat injury and maritime related claims,
call us today at: (727) 451-6900.