Boat Injury Compensation

Boating is an area covering many types of recreation including yachting, rowing, canoeing and sailing. You might catch a ferry or go on a cruise on a holiday. Alternatively, you may work on a boat if you are employed by a fishing or ferry company. If you have sustained an injury while on a boat, you may be entitled to claim boat injury compensation.

At Jefferies Solicitors, our experienced team are ready to help you with your boat injury compensation claims. Call our solicitors on 0800 342 3206 or get in touch online.

Boat owners are legally obliged to carry public liability insurance to protect against accidents; ferry, fishing and cruise liner companies are subject to the same health and safety rules set down by the Health and Safety Executive to protect employees and customers. Leisure companies and tour operators organising excursions involving boats also have legal obligations to ensure the safety of participants.

Common types of boating compensation

Because of the broad spectrum of accident possibilities relating to boats, there is a large number of reasons you might need to consider a boat injury claim if you have been injured through no fault of your own. This could include;

• Two boats colliding together during a leisure activity.
• Boat activities with individuals under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Slips, falls or trips on ferries and cruise ships.
• Food poisoning onboard ferries and cruise ships.
• Speedboats exceeding recommended limits.
• Capsizing boats.
• Natural factors like the weather can often contribute to boating accidents. In some but not all cases where the weather has contributed to an accident, you may be able to make a claim.

It is also possible that you may want to put forward an asbestos compensation case as many previous employees worked alongside this hazardous substance in the shipping industry years ago. Other dangerous chemicals can also be onboard ships today and pose the same threats as those onshore.

Helping you with your boat injury claim

If you have credible witnesses, a record of names of relevant people, and photographs of the accident or scene then this can help with boat injury claims. Make sure you also keep hold of receipts relating to medical appointments you have had as a result of a boating injury.

Boating accidents are very diverse and can result in major health problems for some people. A head injury from a canoeing accident, for example, can be very serious and leave an individual with total dependency on his/her family. Compensation amounts will reflect the severity of the injury and how long-term the condition is.

Some accidents appear to be minor but develop into something that perhaps prevents you from continuing to work. Jefferies Solicitor’s team can handle most types of personal injury claims. We are available to discuss your case initially in a confidential, yet informal manner.

AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION IN BOAT CLAIMS

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. The amount of compensation that is awarded is determined by looking at two distinct factors – general damages and special damages.

GENERAL DAMAGES

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused is the main factor that is used to determine how much compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that outlines the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity.

Our compensation calculator gives an indication of how much you might be entitled to based upon your injuries. Jefferies Solicitors will take these different details relating to your injury into account when calculating how much compensation you should be awarded, which will then be put forward to the opposing side and the judge.

SPECIAL DAMAGES

However, compensation also takes into account any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries, such as a loss of earnings due to being unable to return to work. If you have had to pay for treatment or travel to treatment, compensation may also be able to cover this as well. Therefore, you should keep any receipts or other documents that help to outline the extent of your financial losses, as caused by your accident/injuries.

HOW DOES THE CLAIMS PROCESS WORK?

At Jefferies Solicitors, once we have carried out an initial consultation, we will take care of the paperwork required to get your case underway.

A letter will be sent to you following an initial consultation with your solicitor. It will highlight who will be your contact and estimate how long the process will take. The letter will also detail how you will be funding the case and an estimate of costs. If you need to provide any further information this will also be included.

A letter will then be sent to the defendant, providing details of the accident. The defendant has a fixed period in which they can reply and in their reply, they must state whether or not they are denying or accepting liability for your injuries. If they do accept liability, your solicitor will endeavour to settle the case out of court.

To learn more and to discuss your potential claim in confidence, contact our team on 0800 342 3206. Alternatively,  complete our online contact form to arrange an initial no-obligation telephone consultation with a member of our expert team.