Boating and Watersport Accidents

Boating and watersport accidents are very common, as there are many boats and jet skis navigating the waterways in New York, including: 

• Canandiagua Lake;
• Cayuga Lake;
• Cayuta Lake;
• Cazenovia Lake;
• Lake Champlain;
• Cross Lake;
• Delta Lake;
• Erieville Reservoir;
• Finger Lakes;
• Lake Erie;
• Lake George;
• Jamesville Reservoir;
• Keuka Lake;
• Lake Morraine;
• Oneida Lake;
• Onondaga Lake;
• Lake Ontario;
• Otisco Lake;
• Owasco Lake;
• Seneca Lake;
• Skaneateles Lake;
• St. Lawrence River; and
• Tuscarora Lake.

According to the United States Coast Guard, nearly 6,000 boating accidents occur each year, resulting in more than 4,000 injuries and almost 1,000 deaths.  Boating and watersport accidents are very serious because boats and jet skis move quickly and, more of than not, run into or collide with each other.  These usually violent accidents are frequently complicated by alcohol, a lack of or shortage of personal flotation devices such as life vests, non-use of life vests available, and the fact that accidents occur in water where boating passengers are at risk for drowning in addition to collision injuries.

In the event of a severe personal injury, the injured individual and/or a spouse and immediate family members, may be entitled to recover for:

• Wrongful death;
• Past and future medical bills;
• Past and future lost wages;
• Loss of future earning capacity;
• Pain and suffering;
• Mental and emotional disability;
• Disfigurement and scarring;
• Loss of enjoyment of life;
• Loss of society, love and affection;
• Property loss; and
• Incidental and out-of-pocket expenses.

While no dollar amount can adequately compensate for a loss, the legal system is structured to permit monetary recovery where the injured party can prove that another negligently caused his/her harm. The amount of recovery is determined either by a jury at trial, or through a fair settlement made prior to trial, that is based upon jury verdicts in similar cases. All claims that are accepted by the firm are actively researched and aggressively pursued to a conclusion.