The most common causes of boating injuries and fatalities are: Capsizing, Falling Overboard & Collisions.

Miami & Statewide Florida Boating Accident Lawyers

Over the past 23 years, lawyers at Bernstein & Maryanoff have resolved more than 50,000 personal injury cases, including many boating and cruise ship accidents. From our principal office in Miami and numerous other offices across Florida, we represent clients throughout the state.

Boat Accidents and Injuries - An Overview

According to the United States Coast Guard in 2002, more than 12.5 million boats and personal watercraft (PWC) were registered in the United States. In particular, the use of personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis and other brands, has exploded since the '90s. Not surprisingly, the United States Coast Guard also reports that each year there are more than 8,000 boating accidents that result in more than 4,000 serious injuries and 800 deaths.

If you have suffered an injury on a boat, while boating or while engaged in other water sport activities, you should consult a personal injury attorney who has experience handling such claims as soon as possible after the accident. The laws that apply to injuries that occur on and around the water are complex and there are several questions that must be analyzed in order to correctly to determine the value of a boating injury claim. For example, does state negligence law, federal maritime law or both control the claim and the amount of damages that can be recovered? Who is the responsible party? Is the cause of action against the owner for negligent operation? Did the vessel malfunction creating an actionable product liability claim against the manufacturer, as with personal watercraft? Consult with an experienced attorney.

The Jones Act

If the person injured on or around a boat or water falls within the legal definition of "seaman" special protection may be available under the Jones Act. The Jones Act has special rules that protect seaman and make recovery of certain damages and benefits easier. In order to fully understand the Jones Act and its benefits, a maritime law attorney can help you understand the special terminology it uses.

Maritime Law

Maritime law, often called admiralty law, is a set of legal rules and practices governing the business of employment and transportation of people and goods over or near navigable waters.

Before discussing the types of activities subject to maritime law and the special remedies available to people who make their living on the seas, it's important to first consult an attorney to help you understand what conditions must be met to trigger maritime law.

Boat Accidents and Injuries Resource Links

U.S. Coast Guard Home Page
Statistics and facts related to safety and the Coast Guard.

U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety
provides information about safety, regulations, recalls and statistics about accidents and fatalities on U.S. waterways.

U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Protection
This site provides news and information on the activities of the Coast Guard.

DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.

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