St. Petersburg Dock & Marina Accident Lawyer
Florida has thousands of boats. And all those vessels need to park somewhere. That is where the state’s extensive network of docks and marinas come into play.
Indeed, docks and marinas are among the busiest parts of the state, with people, boats, and machinery moving about at all hours. This also means that these marine facilities are often a common site of serious–even fatal–accidents. If you or someone that you love has been injured, a qualified St. Petersburg dock and marina accident lawyer can assist you in seeking compensation from the responsible parties. Frank D. Butler is a maritime attorney with nearly three decades of experience in helping victims of dock and marina accidents.
What Are the Laws Governing Dock and Marina Accidents?
Docks and marinas are often more dangerous than you might realize. You have to consider not just the boats and their passengers moving about, but also the seamen, longshoremen, and the machinery necessary to keep these facilities running. As a result, many of the most serious dock and marina accidents involve maritime workers.
Some of the more common dock and marina accidents we see with our clients include:
- boat collisions;
- dock and pier collapses;
- electrocution due to faulty wiring;
- falling cargo injuries;
- falling from ladders;
- falling into the water;
- mooring line accidents; and
- slip and falls.
Property owners can be held responsible under Florida premises liability laws for dangerous or unsafe conditions that lead to accidents. But people who work on docks and marinas may also be covered by special laws designed to protect their interests in the event of an accident. Some of these laws include:
- Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act – This federal statute protects maritime (and some non-maritime) workers who do not actually work on a ship. This includes most workers on docks and marinas, including people who load and unload cargo on ships. The Act provides benefits similar to Florida worker’s compensation in the event of an accident.
- Jones Act. The Jones Act, also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, provides maintenance and cure benefits–again, similar to worker’s compensation–for anyone injured while working on a boat or seafaring vessel. This can include accidents that occur while a boat is in a dock or marina.
Contact Attorney Frank D. Butler Today
Because of the interaction of state personal injury and federal maritime law, cases arising from dock and marina accidents are often more complex than the victims initially realize. This is just one reason you should work with a qualified St. Petersburg dock and marina accident lawyer. Another reason is that a specialized attorney knows how to conduct a full and proper investigation into such accidents. It is not uncommon for multiple parties to share legal liability for an accident. We can help make sure every possible avenue for compensation is explored.
So if you have been injured while on a Florida dock or marina, contact the offices of Frank D. Butler, P.A., today to schedule an initial consultation.
