Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By F. Scott Pauzar, III, Naples Personal Injury Attorney
For victims of boating accidents in Florida, recovering just compensation can be a critical step in the recovery process. Injuries from boating accidents can result in significant medical costs, pain and suffering, and other financial and non-financial losses, and these losses can be far more than what most people can bear on their own.
If you need to seek legal recourse for a boating accident in Florida, what can (and should) you do?
The short answer is that you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. When you’ve been seriously injured in a boating accident, asserting your legal rights starts with determining who (or what company) is responsible for the accident. Depending on the circumstances involved, there could be several possibilities, and you need to make sure you file the right claim (or claims) in order to recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Determining Liability for a Boating Accident in Florida
When you engage a personal injury law firm to represent you, the firm should promptly investigate your boating accident in order to determine who (or what company) was at fault. Some examples of parties that you may be able to sue after a boating accident in Florida include:
• A boat captain (either the captain of the boat in which you were a passenger or the captain of another vessel)
• An owner of a boat involved in the collision (if the captain was not the owner)
• A passenger who distracted one of the captains or was otherwise negligent in causing the accident
• A company that owns or operates a commercial vessel involved in the accident
• A manufacturer of a defective component or piece of equipment that caused (or contributed to causing) the accident
Just like auto accidents, seeking just compensation after a boating accident in Florida usually involves dealing with the at-fault party’s insurance company. While boat insurance isn’t required by law in Florida, many recreational boat owners purchase insurance voluntarily, and lenders often require that owners pay for coverage. Commercial maritime operators and boat manufacturers typically have liability insurance policies that cover accident-related claims as well. If you are entitled to insurance coverage, your law firm can deal with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf and work to obtain a settlement that fairly compensates you for your injuries.
Determining How Much You Are Entitled to Recover
Along with determining liability for your boating accident, another key step in pursuing legal recourse is determining how much you are entitled to recover. This is based on your present and future losses—including (but not limited to) your:
• Medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
The financial and non-financial costs of a boating accident can be substantial, so it is critical that you do not settle for less than you deserve. An experienced Florida boating accident lawyer will be able to help you make informed decisions with your long-term best interests in mind.
Request a Free Consultation at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
Do you need to seek legal recourse after a boating accident in Florida? If so, we can help. Call 239-649-6555 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
About the Author
F. Scott (“Scott”) Pauzar, III is a litigation and personal injury law attorney in Woodward, Pires & Lombardo’s Naples office. He has a broad base of legal knowledge and skills cultivated through over 19 years of experience as a litigator in complex litigation in both state and federal courts. Previously, Scott was an Assistant State Attorney at the 20th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office in Fort Myers. During his five years as a Prosecutor, Scott conducted over 30 jury trials. After leaving the Office of the State Attorney, Scott served as an insurance defense attorney for 11 years, where his practice focused on litigation of complex cases and catastrophic injuries. Scott now combines his jury trial and defense experience to successfully represent his clients in litigation and personal injury law matters.
Scott is a military veteran, having served on active duty in the United States Air Force between 1989 and 1993. He is a native of Naples, Florida. Scott received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Jacksonville University in 1996 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2004. He is a member of The Florida Bar, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. Middle District and U.S. Northern District of Florida.
Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A.
Naples Office:
3200 Tamiami Trail N, Ste 200
Naples, FL 34103
239-649-6555
Marco Island Office:
606 Bald Eagle Dr, Ste 500
Marco Island, Fl 34145
239-394-5161
