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Boating accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Understanding the common causes can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe on the water.
Injured in a Boat Accident?
Contact our experienced Pensacola boat accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We’ll fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us now at (850) 437-9600
Pensacola is a popular place for boating. Though it is very rewarding, accidents do happen. According to the National Safe Boating Council, 75% of drowning cases involved vessels less than 21 feet long. Alcohol and Life-vests are major influencers in the outcome. Accidents will happen whether you are boating for recreation or are working on a vessel.
After a boat accident, victims have several important legal rights.
For individuals working on boats, maritime law provides additional protections.
Boat insurance plays an essential role in protecting both boat owners and victims involved in boating accidents.
Taking steps to prevent accidents while boating is essential for ensuring safety on the water. Here are some tips for staying safe and avoiding accidents:
The cost to hire a personal injury lawyer can vary between cases and firms. Many Personal Injury attorneys charge different amounts based on location and the firms’ history.
However, many lawyers, like the Law Office of J.J. Talbott, charge on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that there are no fees or costs to hire a personal injury lawyer unless you recover a settlement. Then, the attorney fee is based on a percentage of that settlement. In Florida, the maximum contingency fee in a personal injury case is 1/3 of the recovery, pre-suit. If a lawsuit is filed, then the fee increases to 40% of the recovery amount.
In most cases, the statute of limitations requires that you file your lawsuit within two years of the date of the injury, or else you can be prohibited from recovering from the negligent party. However, this deadline may be longer or shorter depending upon a variety of factors, such as the type of negligence (medical malpractice, birth injury, product defect), the age of the victim (minor, adult), and the status of the defendant (public entity, private person).
Two years may seem like a long time, but it can pass by quickly while you are busy with the aftermath of a serious personal injury, such as concentrating on your physical recovery; dealing with insurance forms, doctor and hospital bills, and other paperwork; and getting back to work or collecting disability. If you are talking to the insurance company about a settlement, these negotiations can drag on past the deadline for you to file a lawsuit if you are not careful, which can be disastrous to your case.
Contacting an attorney soon after the accident will help ensure that the statute of limitations will not be overlooked, as well as handling other important matters such as notifying your insurance company in a timely fashion. Also, your lawyer will get started right away gathering important evidence and preparing your case for the best result either through settlement or verdict.
Simply being injured in an accident does not mean that you have a personal injury case. The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Law Office of J.J. Talbott are able to tell you whether or not you have a claim.
However, generally, you must be able to prove three things to establish a case:
(1) that another party was negligent,
(2) that their negligence caused your injury, and
(3) that the injury resulted in your damages.
Depending on the facts of your case, proving negligence and causation may be complex, so it is important to consult with an attorney before making any assumptions about your injury case.
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If you have questions about a boat accident or need help proceeding after a boating accident, give the Pensacola boat accident lawyers at the Law Office of J.J. Talbott P.A. a call and we will review with you, your options.
The Jones Act clearly defines the liability of vessel operators and marine employers for the work-related injury or death of an employee. The act is designed to protect seamen from negligent vessel operators. If an employee can adequately prove that reasonable action for prevention was not taken on the vessel, then he or she is entitled to medical coverage and maintenance while off work. The experienced boating accident attorneys at the Law Office of J.J. Talbott P.A. will ensure you receive the aid you need for your losses.
Get in touch with our experienced legal team today. Whether you’re facing a legal issue or simply need professional advice, we’re here to listen, guide, and fight for your rights.
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