Florida’s beautiful beaches, bays, and lakes make it a top destination in the country for boating. Unfortunately, with more boats inevitably comes more boating accidents. In 2021, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that there were 469 people injured in boating accidents.
Victims of St. Petersburg boat accidents often suffer severe or life-altering injuries. If you were hurt or lost someone you love in a boat accident, you may have the right to receive monetary compensation under Florida state law. At Marsalisi Law, we will do everything in our power to recover the settlement and justice you deserve for the harm you have suffered.
Hold a Negligent Boat Operator Accountable for a St. Petersburg Boat Accident
Recovering monetary compensation for damages obtained in a St. Petersburg boat accident requires filing a personal injury claim against the party responsible for the accident. Depending on your unique situation, this could be a single party or multiple parties. When you partner with an experienced boat accident injury lawyer, like Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi, they will have the skills to investigate your case and identify all possible liable parties.
Parties who could be responsible for a St. Petersburg boat accident include the vessel’s:
- Operator
- Owner
- Manufacturer
- Mechanic
In most boat accident injury cases, the boat’s operator is at fault for the accident. Boat operators are required to satisfy a duty of care to prevent injuries to others. Any boat operator who violates this duty of care, such as by speeding, operating the watercraft while impaired, or failing to maintain a proper lookout, could be liable for the damages suffered by a boat accident victim.
If the person operating the boat at the time of the accident is not the owner of the vessel, the boat’s owner could be held liable for negligent entrustment. This may occur if the owner of a boat involved in an accident knew that a person posed an excessive risk by being allowed to operate the boat, yet the owner still permitted them to operate the vessel.
In cases where the boat accident resulted from malfunctioning machinery or mechanics, the product manufacturer may be liable. This is because manufacturing or design defects known to exist when the product was put onto the market could make it dangerous to anyone using it.
Recover Monetary Compensation for Injuries Suffered in a St. Petersburg Boating Accident
Injured victims can seek monetary compensation for damages obtained in boat accidents caused by careless or negligent parties. Damages you could recover with a boat accident injury claim include:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Mental anguish
Family members who lose a loved one in a fatal boating accident could also be eligible to recover monetary compensation by pursuing a claim for wrongful death. With a wrongful death claim, you could obtain a settlement for:
- Your relative’s medical bills
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral costs
- Lost income
Whether you or your loved one was injured in an accident involving a jet ski, pontoon boat, fishing boat, or other watercraft, it is vital to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. The State of Florida allows just four years from the date of an accident to file a claim for damages and only two years in cases of wrongful death.
Get Personalized Legal Representation from a St. Petersburg Boat Accident Attorney
By partnering with Marsalisi Law, you will benefit from caring, focused attention as you navigate the complicated process of recovering from or losing a loved one in a serious boating accident. We have the experience and resources needed to handle even the most complicated boat accident injury claims in St. Petersburg.
Offering legal representation in both English and Spanish, Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal! For a free consultation, contact our office today by calling (727) 334-1344 or filling out our online contact form.