Any kind of accident can be a traumatic experience for everyone involved because they happen so suddenly and often cause devastating injuries. However, accidents involving boats can be more terrifying because of the added danger of being surrounded by water.
If you have been hurt or have lost a loved one because of someone else’s negligence on the water, you may be entitled to recover compensation, and a Cordova maritime accident lawyer can help you. Elissa M. Coombs from The Law Office of David E. Gordon & Elissa M. Coombs handles all personal injury cases involving maritime accidents. She can help guide you through your legal options and provide rigorous representation.
Types of Maritime Mishaps
The Mississippi River offers plenty of opportunities to kayak, canoe, or cruise around on a boat. Unfortunately, with so many people on the waterway, there are also opportunities for collisions. Water vessels are, in a way, like cars and require the operator to pay attention to their surroundings. Distractions, recklessness, or intoxication can result in recreational maritime accidents, and the person who causes injuries to other boaters could be held responsible.
Additionally, the Mississippi River is an economic lifeline where many find work on tugboats, barges, and harbors. However, like other industries, these employees are vulnerable to workplace accidents such as:
- Falling cargo
- Equipment malfunction
- Toxic chemical exposure
- Electrical fires
Working so close to water also requires an extra level of safety precautions. Employers can be liable for injuries or death to their employees.
Regardless of whether it is recreational or commercial, an accident involving a boat can result in catastrophic damages like amputations, crush injuries, brain injuries, and death by drowning. These are preventable, but if someone acts negligently and causes an accident, a Cordova attorney familiar with maritime laws can help those who were hurt.
The Challenges of Maritime Cases
Most accident cases fall under Tennessee state laws because the crash occurred within the state’s jurisdiction. However, accidents on navigable waters such as the Mississippi River involve more complex federal laws because they can cross jurisdictions. When an accident occurs between two recreational boaters, the injured person may still have a case against the negligent party under the federal admiralty jurisdiction, also known as maritime torts.
Workers on boats and docks are not eligible for worker’s compensation because those programs are state-regulated, and the state’s laws establish benefits. To make up for this, federal laws are designed to compensate dock or barge employees injured on the job.
Anyone hurt in a boating accident or workplace incident on the water should consult a lawyer in Cordova. Federal laws have different rules and procedures than state laws, and an attorney with knowledge of these differences can help you navigate the complexities and advocate for the maximum amount of compensation.
Potential Compensation
A victim of a recreational boating collision can still be eligible to claim monetary and non-monetary damages against the negligent party. Monetary damages are the quantifiable costs associated with injuries, such as hospital bills and medical expenses. Non-monetary damages are usually not quantifiable and are associated with pain and suffering and emotional distress.
Boat and dock workers are eligible to claim similar monetary and non-monetary damages from their employers, but this can sometimes depend on the facts surrounding the accident. In addition, if a defect on the vessel contributed to the accident, the owner can be liable for damages.
A seasoned maritime injury attorney can help anyone in Cordova who has been hurt on the water better understand their options and how much their case can be worth. A skilled lawyer like Elissa M. Coombs can pursue all available forms of compensation.
Contact a Cordova Maritime Injury Attorney Today
If you have been injured or lost a loved one on the water, discuss your case with a devoted Cordova maritime accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can help you navigate your legal options and provide representation for your claim.
Not many attorneys have the experience and knowledge of the federal laws governing maritime injuries, but Elissa M. Coombs has dedicated herself to this area of law. Schedule a free consultation with Elissa about your case today.
