Fort Myers Dock & Marina Accident Lawyer
Docks and marinas in Fort Myers can be hazardous. Whether you were injured while renting a boat or boarding your own boat, while approaching a tour boat or cruise ship, or while working near vessels, you may be eligible to file a claim. Owners of docks and marinas, as well as boating rental companies and tour companies with vessels at these areas, have a duty to ensure that these places are reasonably safe for customers. In addition, workers at docks and marinas may be able to file claims when they suffer injuries on the job. Contact our experienced Fort Myers dock & marina accident lawyer today.
How Do Dock and Marina Accidents Happen in Fort Myers?
Injuries at docks and marinas can happen in a wide variety of ways, and injuries can vary significantly in terms of their severity. The following are some common causes of dock and marina accidents:
- Slips and falls on the dock;
- Falling from a boat ramp;
- Getting hurt while removing a boat from the marina;
- Accident while mooring a boat;
- Accident involving a bow line, stern line, or spring line at a dock;
- Cargo accident while loading or unloading a vessel;
- Dock or pier breaking;
- Being struck by a boat attempting to dock;
- Trip and fall on the dock or on a pier; and
- Falls from a dock into the water.
Worker Injuries in Fort Myers on Docks and at Marinas
Many employees who get hurt on docks are eligible to seek compensation through the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, or the LHWCA. This law allows injured employees to file a claim for injuries that occur on navigable waters or “in the adjoining areas, including piers, docks, terminals, wharves, and those areas used in loading and unloading vessels.” Workers who are not maritime employees but who suffer injuries while working on a dock or at a marina could also be eligible for compensation through the LHWCA. For maritime employees who get hurt while working near a dock or marina but on a vessel in navigable water, it may be necessary to file a claim through the Jones Act.
The Jones Act is specifically designed for a “seaman” who is injured on the job. A “seaman” is any person who works on a vessel. In order to be eligible for compensation under the Jones Act, a “seaman” must spend 30 percent or more of their time actually working on the vessel itself. While many injuries that result in Jones Act claims occur while a vessel is at sea or out on the water, a Jones Act claim may be possible if you got hurt while a boat was docked if you were working on the boat.
Contact Frank D. Butler Today
Were you injured while boating recreationally on a dock or at a marina? Or were you injured while doing work at a dock or a marina in the Fort Myers area? You should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss the specific details of your maritime injury and to determine the best method for seeking financial compensation. Contact our experienced Fort Myers dock & marina accident lawyer today to learn more about the maritime injury services we provide to clients throughout Southwest Florida.
