Since 1988, Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen has represented families who have lost loved ones to someone else's negligent actions. Our firm has a proven track record of success, winning millions of dollars in rightful compensation for our clients.
Boating Accident Lawyers in Boca Raton
We Help Accident Victims Identify and Pursue Lawsuits to Obtain Compensation
With more registered watercraft than any other state, more boating accidents happen in Florida than elsewhere in the U.S. Most of these incidents are caused by some form of human error. Prevention should be a higher priority for our state, but when it comes to past accidents, our team wants to make sure victims know about and understand their legal options.
A serious accident can disrupt your life and threaten your financial security. If your injuries sent you to the hospital and caused you to miss work or other duties, we may be able to help you file for compensation. Our team at Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen has over 100 years of combined experience that we apply to every case we take. Ask what we can do to help you move forward after a severe injury.
Call our Boca Raton office today at (866) 629-1061 to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced boat accident attorneys fight for people like you.
Identifying Liability After a Boating Accident
Captain error is behind most accidents, but liability may be harder to pinpoint when multiple vessels or other factors are involved. Unlike accidents that happen on land, there is no crash scene for anyone—insurers or lawyers—to investigate a boat collision. Skilled accident reconstruction professionals can use witness testimony, medical records, and damage to watercraft to determine the sequence of events and identify liability.
The sooner you reach out to an attorney, the more they can do to gather and preserve evidence. Having proof of liability is an essential first step in filing a lawsuit.
Types and Causes of Boat Accidents
A 2018 review of recreational boat accident reports found the most common incidents were:
- Collision with another recreational watercraft
- Collision with a fixed object
- Flooding/swamping
- Grounding
- Falls overboard
When it came to contributing factors, the report identified:
- Operator inattention
- Improper lookout
- Operator inexperience
- Machinery failure
- Excessive speed
All five of the top causes involve some form of negligence, and other common causes further down the list—such as alcohol use—also indicate that most boating accidents are preventable.
Potential Liable Parties
When a boat captain makes a dangerous error, he or she becomes liable for any damages caused. Operators may share blame in accidents involving two or more vessels, meaning both would be responsible for paying a portion of your claim. In cases of machinery or equipment failure, a boat designer or manufacturer might hold a portion or all the liability for an accident. Shared liability often leads to disputes between the involved parties.
An attorney can make sure your rights are protected in any of the above scenarios. Whether your claim can be bolstered by investigative work or accident modeling, we do whatever it takes to help clients prevail.
Who Do I Make a Claim Against?
We will help identify the parties liable for your injuries and pursue them as defendants in a lawsuit. Unlike car owners, people with boats and other personal watercraft are not required to carry insurance. This complicates the process of recovering damages, but even so, you may have options.
Boat Insurance, When Available
Some boat operators purchase insurance regardless of state requirements, which gives accident victims a place to turn. In a collision where the at-fault party is not insured, you may be covered by uninsured/underinsured watercraft owner insurance. You’ll need to know the details of the applicable policies before you can file a lawsuit.
Homeowner’s Insurance, In Some Cases
If the at-fault boater has homeowners liability insurance, victims may be able to receive compensation from this policy. Most insurers include liability coverage in homeowners or renters insurance. However, these policies often limit coverage for boats with significant horsepower, or other personal watercraft, like jet skis. It’s a good idea to retain a skilled attorney who can help you interpret the insurance policy to determine how much coverage may apply to the incident.
A Negligent Company
If you are bringing a defective design or manufacturing claim or suing a corporate owner of a boat, such as a boat charter company, you may find yourself facing a major company in court. These companies tend to have well-funded internal legal teams, meaning you need to hire a firm with significant resources and experience to put you on a level playing field. One benefit of these cases is the companies tend to have assets and insurance to fund any settlement or verdict, so even catastrophic injuries can be compensated through litigation.
The At-Fault Individual
Even if no insurance policies cover an accident, you can still pursue your claim. Although few individuals can afford to pay large judgments for severe injuries, an attorney can help you determine whether pursuing this your lawsuit is worth the effort.
An Additional Consideration: Maritime Law
Accidents that take place on the ocean are governed by a set of statutes known as maritime law. The rules and deadlines for such cases vary from what you would expect in a traditional personal injury claim. Whether you are bringing a claim against an individual or a company, it’s essential to have an attorney who understands this complex branch of law. We can help you understand if maritime law applies to your case, and what that means for you.
Knowledgeable and Trustworthy Attorneys Fighting For You
Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen is home to a team of attorneys who have won recognition and awards for their courtroom successes. In more than 30 years serving the people of Florida, our firm has built a reputation for hard work and skilled advocacy. We are dedicated to helping accident victims find justice through financial compensation and, when applicable, pushing changes to business practices or legislative matters meant to prevent future tragedies.
We understand a significant accident places many demands on your time. That’s why we strive to make the claims process as simple and smooth as possible. With a robust team of attorneys and support staff, we can take on the work of your insurance claim, so you have more time for your health and your loved ones.
Our attorneys are available to answer your questions and concerns in a free, no-obligation consultation. Please do not hesitate to call if you were seriously injured in a boat accident.
Speak with one of our knowledgeable attorneys today by calling (866) 629-1061. Our Boca Raton boat injury lawyers are here to help you determine your options for compensation.
A Legacy of Compassion & Excellence
Working With Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen-
Changing Lives by Changing The Law
Since our firm opened, we've made it our mission to get justice for our clients and their families. We've not only taken on cases that other firms had turned down, but we've also fought to get unjust laws and restrictions overturned or modified.
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A Team of Legal Professionals
Complex legal cases require extensive research, trial experience, and industry knowledge, which is why we always have a team of attorneys working on every case we take on. Our team-centric approach to litigation means that we're able to really focus on getting our clients the best possible outcome.
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There Are No Upfront Legal Fees
We handle all of our claims on a contingency fee basis and will handle all legal fees, court costs, and expert fees related to your specific case. With decades of experience in this industry, we have a wealth of experts we work with routinely to ensure your case is handled with the utmost care.
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We Understand the Medicine
Our attorneys not only take the time to understand the evidence in your case, but also the pathology and medical techniques used in your specific situation. We believe that any attorney that takes on these types of cases needs to be on equal footing with medical professionals and physicians.
A LEGACY OF CHANGING LIVES
Millions Recovered on Behalf of Our Clients-
Bal Harbour Residential Building Collapse Confidential Settlement
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Child Injury by Medical Malpractice by U.S. Naval Hospital $1,000,000
A Federal Tort Claims Act settlement for a child injured by medical malpractice while being treated at a United States Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Child Misdiagnosed in U.S. Naval Hospital $6,000,000
A Federal Tort Claims Act settlement for a little girl who lost her legs and one of her arms, and the use of her other arm, as a result of a misdiagnosed cases of meningococcal meningitis at a United States Naval Hospital in Maryland.
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Defective Products Confidential Settlement - Products Liability Resulting in Amputation.
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Sex Abuse Confidential Settlement - Sexual Assault on Children
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Medical Malpractice Eight-Figure Settlement for Failure to Timely Treat a Heart Attack
After successfully opening and stenting a 53-year-old man's blocked artery, while in the recovery room, the patient suffered another heart attack, but this time it took medical staff nearly 90 minutes to get him back to the catheterization lab. Due to the delay, his heart stopped. He was revived in the operating room, but he suffered a hypoxic brain injury, causing massive brain damage.
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Medical Malpractice Eight-Figure Settlement for Victim of Nursing Medical Malpractice
A middle-aged woman was in a hospital recovering from a brain aneurysm. While recovering in her hospital room, she grew agitated and began pulling on the tracheostomy tube connected to her neck. The nurse on duty documented that she was pulling at her tubes six different times in 24 hours, and yet did nothing to prevent her from being able to dismantle the tubes.
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Hotel & Resort Liability Eight-Figure Settlement in Premises Liability Case
A Massachusetts man was visiting Key West, Fla. for vacation. During his time at a resort restaurant and bar, the tourist jumped into the water adjacent to the property and severely injured his neck, leaving him quadriplegic.
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Florida International University Pedestrian Bridge Collapse $100,000,000
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Judgment on Behalf of Miami Doctor $1,750,000
A $1.75 million vehicle collision judgment in Volusia County on behalf of a Miami doctor who was permanently injured as a result of an automobile accident.
