Boat Accident Lawsuits

New York, NYIf you think that maritime laws apply only to people who are working when they are involved in boat accidents then you may be surprised to learn that these laws actually cover passengers and recreational boaters as well. In fact, injuries that occur to cruise ship and ferry passengers can be litigated under general maritime laws.

Some of the more spectacular stories, the ones that appear in the media, involve cruise ship passengers falling overboard or dying under strange circumstances. The majority of incidents on cruise ships are much less dramatic but can still cause serious injury. These include circumstances such as slip and fall injuries, falling objects, rough sea injuries and food poisoning. Such injuries can be costly and require extended medical care.

Of course, boat accidents can be deadly occurrences. In such instances, if the crash is the result of negligence, it is important to hold those parties responsible accountable for their actions.

The widow of a man who died in the 2003 Staten Island Ferry crash will settle her wrongful death lawsuit with the city for approximately $1.4 million. The crash occurred when the assistant captain, who was at the controls during the crash, suffered a black out brought on by a combination of fatigue and painkillers, causing the ferry to crash into a maintenance pier. Eleven people died in the crash. The city was found to have not acted with reasonable care in allowing one person to control the ferry without a backup nearby in case of emergency.

According to the Staten Island Advance, 200 claims were filed regarding the ferry crash, with 126 already settled. The remaining trials will get underway in August, when the case of an attorney who died in the crash will be heard.

Meanwhile, a Texas student died after a boat accident in Mexico. The girl was on a snorkeling excursion as part of a package trip when the catamaran she was on began to sink. The girl fell in the water and suffered heart and lung failure. There are reports that the boat the girl was on was overloaded although the incident is still under investigation.

Maritime law covers not only commercial vessels but also recreational boats and shipyards. In fact, it regulates many boating related activities both on the ocean and on inland waters. Even people using jet skis are covered under maritime law.

However, maritime law can be complex. There are different rules limiting liability in maritime law cases. For example, if a ship owner can show that he did not have control over the cause of an accident, his liability can be limited, meaning that claimants may receive less money for their injuries. Furthermore, if a boat accident happens in international waters, there can be issues regarding jurisdiction that must be sorted out.

A lawyer who is experienced in maritime law can fight to ensure that you receive all the compensation you are entitled to for your injury. If you or someone you love was injured in a maritime accident, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.