Maritime Law (Boating Accidents)

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Cruise Injuries

Each year, over three million passengers embark on cruise from various ports across the U.S. Unfortunately, some of these passengers suffer injuries during these voyages. The most common reasons for injuries include:

Trips and slips due to slippery substances and dangerous surfaces.
Falls in cabins and on decks, stairways, ladders and ramps.
Injuries while on shore excursions.
Fires and collisions at sea.
Viruses, gastroenteritis and illnesses caused by contaminated food and beverages.

Boating Accidents Statistics

This year over 700 people will lose their lives in boating accidents. Another 4,300 will be seriously injured. These statistics are for recreational boaters and not for workers on boats. The tragedy is that most of these loses can be prevented.

According to the National Safe Boating Council, most boating accidents are caused by factors that are in the operator's or passengers' control. For example, the number one cause of death in boating accidents is drowning. The number one reason: boaters were not wearing life jackets. In fact, less than 23 percent of boaters wear life jackets at all. Additionally, 80 percent of deaths occurred on boats where the operator had not taken a boater education course.

Another preventable factor is drinking while being on a boat. Drinking does not mix well with any activity, especially boating. According to the U.S. Coast Guard 2001 Accident Report, alcohol was involved in more than one third of all boating deaths.

Jones Act and Recreational Boating

The Jones Act (or maritime law) was passed by the U.S. Congress to protect injured seamen. This law applies to people injured on Offshore Oil Rigs, Ships, Barges, Riverboat Casinos, Tug Boats, Shrimp Boats, Fishing Boats, Trawlers, Tankers, Crew Boats, Ferries, Water Taxis, and all other vessels on the ocean and all intra-coastal rivers and canals, as well as drivers, divers, and underwater personnel.

This law also applies to recreational boaters. If a boating accident occurs, the operator of the vessel is required to file a report when:

Some one dies
An injury can't be treated by first aid
Damage occurs to the vessel or by the vessel
Someone disappears

Most often accidents occur on inland waters, such as rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. The most common types of accidents include: Collision, Explosion, Capsizing, Falls overboard, Flooding or Sinking, and Fire.

The Jones Act protects injured workers by allowing them the right to file negligence claims against their employers. It protects boaters by allowing them to collect damages from the owners of the at-fault vessel for injuries that occurred because a vessel was not seaworthy.

If you have been injured aboard a ship, contact us using the form below to learn more about your legal rights.

The law limits the amount of time after a patient incurs an injury to file suit. The amount of time varies based on the theory of liability and the state in which the patient files the suit.

The information you provide will only be used in accordance with our terms and conditions. By submitting this form, you certify that you agree to our terms and conditions and want us to contact you regarding your inquiry.

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Title
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Last Name
Address
Address Cont.
City
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Phone Number (day)
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If this inquiry is not for yourself, please tell us the name of the person.
Title
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Injured's date of birth:	[None]
Were you or they injured aboard a ship?	Yes No
Date of incident?
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Do you or they eat and sleep aboard the vessel?	Yes No
If the vessel is at fault, please explain why:

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