When the weather is nice, many people in Jonesboro visit their closest lakes and state parks to partake in various activities, including boating and jet skiing. 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 a firm grasp on the intricacies of these cases and access to the resources needed to successfully handle their clients’ claims. Boating cases can be complex, so why not get help from those who understand the complexities?
At Morgan & Morgan, our Jonesboro office are well-versed in maritime laws, have established themselves as accomplished negotiators and litigators, and frequently consult with in-house experts for additional insight into these cases. Our law firm has successfully handled cases of this nature for decades, recovering substantial awards on behalf of clients who were injured in boating and offshore accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a maritime or boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn about your available legal options, please complete our free case evaluation form today.
Jonesboro Recreational Boating Accidents
Recreational boating accidents can result from the negligent operation or maintenance of the vessel. Our Jonesboro attorneys handle boating cases stemming from another’s negligence in:
- Hitting a big wave or wake at an excessive speed;
- Deciding to navigate in bad weather;
- Making contact with propellers;
- Operating the boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Failing to carry safety equipment on board;
- Causing collisions with other boats or fixed object(s);
- Failing to know and follow the “rules of the road,” as required by Arkansas state law;
- Overcrowding and/or overloading the vessel; and
- Failing to pay attention to surrounding watercrafts and individuals.
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.
Jones Act
Created specifically for maritime workers, the Jones Act creates its own version of workers’ compensation for offshore workers. It provides workers the right to recover compensation — maintenance and cure — 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 seaworthy vessel.
If these requirements are neglected or disregarded and an injury results, 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 Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro Attorney Do to Help?
Whether you were injured on the job or during a recreational boating outing on one of Jonesboro’s nearby lakes, your attorney will conduct an in-depth 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 Jonesboro attorney as soon as possible after an accident can help simplify the process of pursuing and successfully collecting compensation for your losses.
What is My Jonesboro Maritime Claim Worth?
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, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. To contact our Jonesboro maritime attorneys today to learn more about your available options and how we may be able to help, please complete our free case evaluation form today.