Intracoastal Waterway Boat Transfer Accident Lawyer
Boat operators and crews tasked with transporting private boats up and down the Intracoastal Waterway often face long journeys. Unsafe conditions on these boats and vessels could leave crew with serious injuries that make it difficult to complete their job and potentially leave them with lasting scars or disabilities.
If you or a loved one transports private boats on the Intracoastal Waterway and suffered injuries in a serious boat accident or an accident caused by equipment malfunction or unsafe conditions on a vessel, call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. today. Our Intracoastal Waterway boat transfer accident lawyers work to help boating injury victims get compensation for their injuries. Call (866) 386-1762 to set up a free consultation with our maritime injury attorneys.
Who is Liable for Boat Transfer Injuries on the Intercoastal Waterway?
Boat transfer and transportation specialists who work on the Intracoastal Waterway may be familiar with the routes they have to take, but they might not always have familiarity with the vessel that they are operating. If you were given a boat to transport and were not informed about dangerous conditions on the vessel or malfunctioning equipment that leads to a serious injury, you could be entitled to file a legal claim against the company you work for and the owner of the vessel.
Injured crew and workers on a boat are often entitled to sue their employer for injuries under the Jones Act. However, injured workers must be able to show that their injuries were actually caused by their employer’s mistakes or negligence. Some vessels are transported because of problems or defects with the vessel, and it is important that crew and pilots understand what they are getting themselves into when they undertake a trip like this. If an employer failed to give you vital information or failed to provide proper training or equipment necessary for the journey, they could be liable for your injuries.
Similarly, boat owners are in a position to know more about the vessel’s history and safety. If you are part of the crew that typically operates that boat, you might actually have more information about the vessel than its owner. If you are operating the vessel that you were injured on just for the one job, then you might be unfamiliar with quirks about its operation or hidden dangers aboard the vessel. Even something as simple as a malfunctioning appliance aboard the ship could cause serious injuries to crew – and worse injuries could occur if integral components of the ship were malfunctioning or disabled. In these cases, the owner of the vessel could be liable for your injuries.
If you were involved in an accident with another vessel, the operator of that vessel may be responsible for the crash, and you can hold them responsible in court.
How to Handle Intracoastal Waterway Boat Transfer Accidents and Injuries
If you are tasked with transporting a boat, you could have enormous pressure on you to meet deadlines and get the vessel there safely and without damage. However, serious accidents and injuries could get in the way of that and leave you with a dilemma about what to do next and how to get the help you need. First off, it is vital to always seek medical care for an injury in a boating accident, especially if the injury occurred while working on a vessel. Second, it is important to work with a lawyer to help guide you through what your next steps should be.
As with any accident, you should gather as much information as you can about the accident and how it happened. For instance, if you were hit by another vessel, it is important to get information about the crew and who was responsible for that vessel’s operation as well as insurance information. You should also call the authorities and report the accident, then get yourself a copy of any accident reports they file.
It is important to document any medical care you receive. If you are going to file a claim for your accident, it is vital to have proof that your injuries were connected to the accident, which these records supply. Medical records also provide a clear picture of what injuries you faced. Medical bills and other expenses related to the accident also provide an economic record of what the accident cost you.
From there, it is important to work with a lawyer on your case. Our Intracoastal Waterway boat transfer accident lawyers have decades of experience handling boating accident and maritime injury cases on behalf of injured victims. Our attorneys can walk you through your options, investigating any potential insurance coverage you may have and any other routes to get compensation for your injuries, including lawsuits against the responsible parties.
Damages for Injured Boat Transfer and Transportation Workers on the Intracoastal Waterway
If you faced injuries while doing your job transporting vessels on the Intracoastal Waterway, you could be entitled to compensation for any damages you faced. Damages for medical expenses could be essential to help you recover. Especially if your injuries keep you from working while you recover or lead to permanent disabilities, you might have trouble affording medical expenses and other day-to-day living costs. A lawsuit can also help you recover compensation for lost wages and other financial needs. Lastly, a lawsuit can help cover pain and suffering damages after a boating accident. Talk to our attorneys for help with your damages.
Intracoastal Waterway Boat Transfer Accident Attorneys Offering Free Case Consultations
After a serious boating accident, call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind for help with your injury claim. Our Intracoastal Waterway boat transfer accident lawyers fight for injured crew, and we work to get them compensation they need to pay for their expenses after a serious injury. For help holding your employer, a ship owner, or any other negligent party liable for your injuries, call us today at (866) 386-1762.