Mississippi River Drowning Accident and Death Attorneys
Many people enjoy engaging in a variety of activities on the Mississippi River. However, boating or swimming activities on the Mississippi River could quickly turn deadly due to the unpredictability of the river. When this transpires, there could be one or multiple parties that are liable for the injury or death of the victim. If a member of your family was killed by drowning on the Mississippi River, talk to a Mississippi River drowning accident and death attorney.
Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., knows that the loss of a loved one could be life-changing for a family, and we are here to offer you the legal representation that you need to handle your drowning death case. Our firm has a wealth of experience handling drowning death cases, and we are here for you in your time of need. For a meeting with a member of our legal staff for a complimentary consultation, call (866) 386-1762.
Common Drowning Accidents & Deaths on Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is often used for boating trips and many other activities. However, if proper precautions are not taken, it is possible for a drowning accident to occur. The following are widespread causes of drowning accidents and deaths on the Mississippi River.
Boat Crashes
When piloting a boat on the Mississippi River, it is essential for the operators of the boat to act with caution. If a boat captain does not notice an approaching ship or reacts too slowly to another ship, a serious crash could occur, which could severely injure any passengers and possibly knock them overboard.
Slip and Fall Accidents
The owner of a boat should also take precautions to avoid a slip and fall accident. A slip and fall incident on a vessel may occur due to a spill, a loose handrailing, or other hazards. If a victim trips and falls off the boat, the operators of the boat need to move quickly to ensure that they do not get swept up by the current and potentially drown.
Lifeboat Accidents
If a boat malfunctions or begins to sink, the passengers will have to be moved into lifeboats. However, if the crew of a boat is not experienced with operating a lifeboat, a passenger could fall overboard. Additionally, if life vests are not provided to passengers, this could also result in a passenger drowning.
Intoxication
Many people consume alcohol when performing boating activities. However, if the boat operators fail to regulate the amount of alcohol that is given to passengers, this could be hazardous if a passenger happens to fall overboard.
Our firm understands the trauma of dealing with the loss of a loved one, and we can help you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or entity responsible. For more information about filing a wrongful death lawsuit, you should call a Mississippi River drowning accident and death attorney today.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit After a Mississippi River Drowning Accident
If your loved one was killed in a drowning accident on the Mississippi River, you could file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or entity responsible. A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal action that is brought by the surviving family members of the decedent. However, all family members of the decedent cannot file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible for their death.
In Florida, only the following surviving family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit:
- The surviving spouse of the decedent
- The children of the decedent and also children born outside of wedlock
- The parents of the decedent
- Any blood relatives of the decedent that was financially dependent on the decedent
The purpose of this limitation is to ensure that a distant or estranged family member is not able to unjustly profit from the death of another family member.
You should also be aware that a plaintiff in a wrongful death lawsuit only has a limited amount of time to file their case due to the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations determines the length of time that a plaintiff has to pursue a certain type of civil case with the court. The filing deadline for a civil claim is subject to change on the facts of the case. That is why it is important to consult with an attorney concerning your filing date. If your case is not filed within this timeframe, you could be barred from pursuing your case entirely, which could be devastating for a plaintiff hoping to claim damages for the death of their loved one.
Work with Our Skilled Mississippi River Drowning Accident & Death Lawyer Today
If your loved one was killed in a drowning accident on the Mississippi River, consider contacting our experienced Mississippi River drowning accident and death lawyer today. The legal team at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A., we know that this is a difficult time for your family, and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss legal options for your case. To make an appointment for a free of charge consultation to talk about your potential wrongful death claim, contact us at (866) 386-1762. You may also contact the firm online to schedule your free case review.
