When you are faced with a boating injury or accident, an attorney who has regularly advised and represented clients in maritime law matters can help you to achieve a resolution. To learn more about legal services, contact our firm to schedule a consultation and case evaluation with an experienced maritime law attorney.
Boat Accidents and Injuries Attorney
If you were injured at sea, whether you were working on a ship or relaxing on a recreational boat, you need qualified legal representation to recover compensation for your injuries. Injuries on a ship are covered under maritime law, which is quite different from the law that covers personal injuries on land. An experienced and knowledgeable maritime injury attorney will understand these differences.
At the Bluestein Law Firm, P.A., in Charleston, South Carolina, attorney S. Scott Bluestein is well prepared to help you get the compensation you deserve from the insurance companies. He holds not only a law degree, but also a Masters in Admiralty Law from Tulane University. To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call 843-577-3092.
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Our goal is to ensure you receive the compensation you need after injuries suffered in a boating accident. Call us at 843-577-3092 for a free consultation.
A maritime injury lawyer at the Bluestein Law Firm, P.A., helps injured people and families who have suffered the loss of a loved one in a boating accident in South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Maryland.
Boat Accidents and Injuries - An Overview
According to the United States Coast Guard, in the past decade, there has been an increase in registered boats and personal watercraft (PWC) in the United States. In particular, the use of personal watercraft, such as Jet-Skis and other brands, has exploded since the 1990s. Not surprisingly, the United States Coast Guard also reports that each year there has been an increase in boating accidents that have resulted in serious injuries and sometimes death. If you have been injured on a boat, while boating or while engaged in other water sport activities, contact Bluestein Law Firm, P.A. in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina to learn more about your legal rights. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Federal Maritime Law or State Law
Generally, the legal issues associated with boating injuries are similar to other personal injury claims issues such as questions related to negligence, causation and damages. But before those questions can be answered, it must first be determined which law will control the case - federal maritime law or state tort law. The differences between federal maritime law and state tort law are significant and may impact the outcome of the case. An attorney who regularly handles boating injury cases has the experience to sort through the complex legal issues and help you achieve a fair outcome based on the facts of your case.
Rights of a Person Injured on or by a Watercraft
The potential claims of a person injured by a watercraft are determined by the injured person’s category: seaman, social guest, business visitor or bystander/swimmer/water skier. The category also determines the legal rules that will be applied to your claim.
Product Liability Claims - Personal Watercraft Such as Jet Skis
Although the majority of boating accidents occur due to the boat operator's negligence or recklessness, some boating accidents are caused by a defect of the boat itself. When an injury is caused by a defective or dangerous condition of the boat, the injured person may have a product liability case against the manufacturer of the boat. These claims allege that a manufacturer’s design defect makes the watercraft unreasonably dangerous when used in a "foreseeable manner."
Conclusion
When a water-related accident occurs, you need a thorough investigation and evaluation of its cause(s) by an experienced maritime law attorney. Complex legal and safety issues may be involved. If you have been injured on a boat, while boating or while engaged in other water sport activities, contact an attorney at Bluestein Law Firm, P.A. in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, who has experience handling boat accident and injury claims.
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