When you think about getting out on a boat for some recreation, the last thing you should have to worry about is an injury. Likewise, if you work in or around the water, you should expect your employer to ensure safe conditions.
At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., we are ready to help if you are injured in a boating incident that was caused by another person’s negligence. Our experienced personal injury attorney will work tirelessly to secure the compensation you need for all of your injury-related expenses. When you need a Philadelphia boating accident attorney, call us today.
Boating accidents are not something you think about every day. Sure, we see them on the nightly news, but only if there are multiple casualties or injuries. What many people do not realize is that boating accidents are fairly common and often caused due to the negligence of a boat operator or company.
When a person decides to head out on a boat for the day, they often rent one from a company. Sometimes this includes heading out with a boat captain or crew. Other times, people take one out themselves. Boat owners and companies have major responsibilities, including:
Boating crews should always monitor weather conditions. If there is a threat of severe weather before a scheduled outing, then the trip should be rescheduled. If weather conditions deteriorate, crews should head to safety.
Regardless of why a person chooses to use a boat or watercraft, whether, for fishing, watersports, or for some relaxation, they should be able to expect safe conditions.
Boating injuries can be severe and often include:
For those who work primarily on the water, their employer should always ensure they have safe working conditions. Anyone injured while working on a boat may be eligible for compensation through the Jones Act or the Longshore Workers’ Compensation Act, both of which serve as types of workers’ compensation. A boat accident attorney in Philadelphia could help an injured person determine the correct type of claim for their case.
In the aftermath of a boating accident in and around the Philadelphia area, victims may be entitled to various types of compensation if someone else caused the incident. The team at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. works diligently to help clients recover both economic and non-economic compensation for clients who sustain losses as a result of what happened. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
There is no set amount of money available for boat accident claims in Philadelphia. The total amount of compensation awarded will vary depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding each particular boating accident.
In rare instances, punitive damages may also be awarded to boat accident victims. These damages are reserved for instances where the actions of the at-fault party were grossly negligent or intentional, and they are designed to punish the wrongdoer and send a message that this type of activity is unacceptable.
Individuals in Philadelphia need to be aware that they have a limited amount of time to file boat accident lawsuits. The Pennsylvania injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. This gives boat accident victims a two-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent boat operator or owner. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will result in the victim being unable to recover the compensation they need.
However, we strongly encourage you to reach out to a boat accident lawyer in Philadelphia well before the statute of limitations expires. An attorney needs to get involved right after a boat crash so they can conduct a thorough investigation before the evidence is destroyed or disappears.
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a boat accident caused by the careless or negligent actions of a boat owner or operator in the Philadelphia area, the team at Soloff & Zervanos, P.C. is ready to help today. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience handling complex injury claims throughout Pennsylvania, and we know what it takes to help clients recover total compensation for their losses. We are not afraid to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers or at-fault parties in these situations, so let us get to work today. When you need a Philadelphia boat accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation.
