When the weather is nice, many people in Bowling Green take a trip to one of Kentucky’s scenic lakes to enjoy boating and jet skiing. However, as fun as these pastimes may be, accidents can occur when least expected. When injured on the water, you may need to seek help from an attorney.
Maritime lawsuits should be handled by an experienced attorney who has extensive knowledge of these cases and access to the resources needed to successfully handle a client’s claim. At Morgan & Morgan, our boating accident attorneys are well-informed in maritime laws and have established themselves as accomplished negotiators.
Our Bowling Green office has successfully handled these types of cases and recovered considerable awards on behalf of clients who were injured in boating and offshore accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating or maritime accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
To learn about your available legal options, please complete our free case evaluation form today.
Bowling Green Boating Accidents
Boating accidents can result from the negligent operation or maintenance of the vessel. Our Bowling Green attorneys handle boating cases stemming from another’s negligence in:
- Failing to pay attention to surrounding watercrafts and individuals;
- Causing collisions with other boats or fixed object(s);
- Hitting a big wave or wake at an excessive speed;
- Making contact with propellers;
- Deciding to navigate in bad weather;
- Operating the boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Overcrowding and/or overloading the vessel;
- Failing to carry safety equipment on board; and
- Failing to know and follow the “rules of the road.”
Work-Related Maritime Accidents
Traditionally, on-the-job injuries are covered under an employer’s workers’ compensation benefits; however, maritime workers are not covered by on-shore workers’ compensation regulations. To protect maritime workers, special laws, including the Jones Act, have been enacted to assist a worker’s recovery of compensation for work-related injuries.
The Jones Act was passed to give maritime workers their own version of worker’s compensation insurance. It provides workers the right to recover compensation immediately following an injury, regardless of fault. Under the Jones Act, employers are required to compensate their injured workers for medical care related to the injury and provide a daily stipend during recovery. The Jones Act also creates the right for an injured offshore worker to pursue additional compensation through a negligence claim against their employer.
Workers are entitled to a safe working environment on a maritime vessel. If these requirements are disregarded or neglected and an injury occurs, the injured party may be able to bring a lawsuit against their employer and/or the vessel’s owner. If a third party contributed to the injury, the injured party may not be able to file a claim under the Jones Act; however, victims may be able to sue a third party responsible for their injuries. An experienced Bowling Green maritime attorney will be able to help determine which claims you are eligible to file, against whom these claims can be filed, and the amount and type of compensation you may be owed.
What Will a Bowling Green Attorney Do to Help?
Whether you were injured on the job or during a recreational boating outing on one of the several lakes around Bowling Green, your attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident for evidence of another’s negligence. Once your attorney completes the investigation, he or she will create a claim that best supports your pursuit of compensation.
Your attorney will use this claim as leverage in negotiations, as a foundation in filing a formal lawsuit, and at trial as evidence in support of your case. Maritime and boat accident lawsuits can be complicated and must be handled properly; retaining an experienced Bowling Green attorney as soon as possible after an accident can help simplify the process of pursuing and successfully collecting compensation for your losses.
How Much Can I Get From My Maritime Claim?
Each boating accident or maritime injury case is different. The type and amount of damages you may receive will depend on the nature, location, and cause of the accident; the type of boat(s) or vessel(s) involved; the severity of the injury sustained; and whether you contributed to the accident.
If your case is successful, compensation may be available for medical bills and expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of intimacy, pain and suffering, and funeral costs. If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, we can help.
To contact our Bowling Green attorneys to learn more about your available options and how we may be able to help, please complete our free case evaluation form today.