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With warm weather year round, many residents and tourist are discovering the joys of boating and being out on the water in South Florida. Whether just offshore in the Atlantic Ocean or in one of Palm Beach, Broward, or Miami-Dade county’s many lakes, boating is a popular pastime for many South Florida families and tourists.
South Florida is in many ways to boating capital of the U.S. with over 300 miles of waterways spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties. Additionally, you don’t have to own your own boat to enjoy a day out on the water. With the advent of peer-to-peer boat renting companies, renting a boat to enjoy a day on the water is becoming increasingly popular.
Get started with a free initial consultation; call 954-509-1900 or contact us online.
While boating is a fun activity for many South Florida residents and tourists, safety should always be top of mind. Those inexperienced with operating a boat or knowing boat safety guidelines should be prudent. As under Florida law, boat owners can be held liable for negligence if found acting recklessly or carelessly towards others on the water.
Boating accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. The U.S. Coast Guard states that the two most common contributing factors to boating accidents are operator inattention and operator inexperience.
Propeller injuries are one of the most devastating, life-changing injuries that can happen to families enjoying a day boating on the water. According to statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, propeller injuries are on the rise:
How are Propeller Injuries Caused:
Propeller injuries commonly occur when a passenger is sitting or standing near the back of the boat or over the gunwale. It’s easy for an inexperienced boat operator to lurch the boat forward accelerating unexpectedly causing the passenger to fall or fly off the back of the boat. Once thrown overboard, these passengers can hit the boat’s propeller. These injuries are also seen when passengers are unexpectedly thrown off the back of a jet ski or when jumping off a boat to scuba dive. Propeller Injuries can also result from:
In a report by propeller safety.com, it was found that 43 percent of all propeller injuries nationwide occurred in lakes. Florida ranks the highest in propeller injuries at 14 percent. California was second at 12 percent.
Propeller Accident Factors:
Propeller accidents can be caused by a myriad of factors, the common causes of propeller injuries are:
The types of injuries sustained by a propeller injury vary. In 95 percent of all propeller injury accidents, first aid is required. Some common propeller injuries include:
If you or a loved one have been injured by propeller injury caused by a boater negligence you may be entitled for compensation for your injuries, loss of work, hospitalization, surgeries, rehab, physical therapy, prosthesis, follow-up care, and pain and suffering.
If you would like to learn more about your legal rights, please contact Zimmerman & Frachtman online or call 954-509-1900.
If you or someone you love has been harmed by the negligent or wrongful conduct of another, our South Florida personal injury attorneys are here to help you understand your legal options and fight for the fair recovery you deserve. In every instance, we work to recover the maximum compensation our clients are owed for their medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses. Throughout the process, we will remain consistently accessible to you—we even provide clients with our personal contacts so that they can always reach us with questions or concerns.
There is absolutely no cost and no obligation in speaking to a member of our team about your case. We also offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not owe any upfront costs when you hire our team. Instead, we only collect legal fees if we successfully secure a settlement or verdict for you.
Whether you have questions or you’re ready to get started, our legal team is ready to help. Complete our form below or call us at (954) 289-5070.
