Boat accidents can cause serious injuries, some of which may require lifetime care. And if you work in a marine industry, you should know how to protect your rights with a legal team you can trust. Read on to see why you need to contact a St. Louis, MO boat accident injury lawyer, and get in touch with Goldstein and Price, Attorneys at Law, to get started.
What Does A Boat Accident Injury Lawyer Do?
No two boat accidents are alike. Some take place on personal watercraft, and some take place on chartered vessels. Some even occur dockside. But no matter the specifics, boat accidents can be expensive, dangerous, and hard to recover from. Fortunately, a maritime accident lawyer can investigate your case, and determine the extent of the compensation you should pay.
When you get in touch with a St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer, you’re getting a valuable ally who can walk you through your next steps.
Employee compensation is expensive. Medical bills are expensive. And so are all of your other bills if you’re stuck paying off injured employees. These expenses can stack up and put you in some dire financial straits, but your watercraft injury lawyer can relieve some of the pressure.
Your marine injury lawyer can investigate your employee’s claim to find evidence of negligence. But your legal team can also fight on your behalf against stingy insurance companies who aren’t paying you enough – or on time. When you hire a lawyer, you’re getting a valuable ally in your corner. And if you work in a marine industry, they can be even more helpful.
Like all other heavy industries, working on a ship or dockyard comes with a serious degree of risk. There’s plenty of heavy equipment and machinery, hazardous materials, and more. But unlike on land, it’s a little more complicated to file a workers’ comp claim if you’re a marine employer.
Under the Jones Act, maritime employees are entitled to maintenance and cure payments if they’re hurt on the job. Maintenance payments are intended to fill the gap left by all those missed paychecks, and cure payments are intended to cover (or at least offset) the price of all those medical bills. But as a maritime employer, you have rights too – and your maritime injury lawyer can help you determine the actual amount of compensation you should pay out.
Why Experience Matters In Boat Accident Injury Cases
There are many marine accident lawyers out there, but only one Goldstein and Price, Attorneys at Law. Here’s how our experience sets us apart from the competition:
- Our firm has operated for over 60 years.
- Over those 60+ years of experience, we’ve helped vessel owners with collision claims, pollution claims, cargo losses, and other watercraft-related cases.
- We’ve expanded, and with a nationwide reach we’ve assisted our clients in longshore injury cases, boat accident cases, lock and dam cases, and more.
We have the experience. You have the case. If you’re ready to work together, so are we.
Contact Us Today
At Goldstein and Price, L.C., we’re ready to use our 60+ years of legal experience to protect you from dishonest claims and lawsuits. Get in touch with us today, and see how a St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer from our team can make a difference.
Types Of Boat Accident Injury Cases We Handle
For businesses that own or operate vessels, accident claims can pose significant financial and legal challenges – unless they contact a St. Louis, MO boat accident injury lawyer as soon as possible. With 60 years of experience in maritime law, we’re confident we can help you, next. Read on to see our services, and contact us today.
Slip And Fall Accidents On Vessels
Claims often involve workers or passengers slipping on wet decks, oily surfaces, or uneven flooring. These cases typically focus on whether the vessel was properly maintained and whether reasonable safety measures were in place.
Machinery And Equipment Accidents
Many boats rely on engines, winches, or other heavy equipment. Injuries related to machinery may involve allegations that the equipment was not properly maintained or that training was insufficient. Your maritime injury attorney will thoroughly investigate the context of these accidents.
Collisions With Other Vessels
Collisions on the water can result in significant injuries and damage. Claims usually raise questions about whether the boat was operated safely and whether proper rules of the water were followed. Your St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer can help you clear your company’s name.
Passenger Injury Claims
Passengers may bring claims if they are injured while on a vessel, whether from rough seas, slips, or being struck by equipment. Businesses often must respond to allegations that they failed to provide a safe environment for passengers. However, before responding, it’s important to contact your watercraft accident lawyer.
Falls Overboard
When someone falls into the water, claims often allege that safety equipment was missing or that crew members were not trained to respond properly. These cases can involve serious consequences for businesses.
Docking And Mooring Accidents
Boat accidents frequently occur during docking or mooring operations. Claims may center on whether the boat was operated carefully, whether lines were secured properly, or whether crew members acted with reasonable care.
Injuries From Falling Objects
Unsecured cargo or loose equipment can strike workers or passengers. These cases usually involve claims that the business did not properly store or secure items on the vessel.
Fires And Electrical Injuries
Boats carry fuel and electrical systems that can present risks. When a fire or electrical incident occurs, businesses may face claims about the condition of the vessel and the steps taken to maintain safety.
Exposure To Hazardous Substances
Some vessels use or transport fuel, solvents, or chemicals. If an injury arises from exposure, businesses may have to address claims that protective measures or safety practices were not followed.
Wrongful Death Claims
Your boat crash attorney can also provide support in case of wrongful death. Wrongful death claims are often complex and can involve allegations that the vessel was unsafe or that the crew acted negligently.
Contact Us Today To Get Started
Boat accident injury claims require careful attention from the businesses involved. By providing support for Jones Act claims, longshore injuries, and more, we’ve gained the maritime law experience to make a difference. At Goldstein and Price, Attorneys at Law, we are committed to providing strong representation for businesses facing these matters. Contact a St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer from our team today.
Types Of Compensation You Can Get For Your Boat Accident Injury Claim
When a boating accident happens, the aftermath can bring serious physical, financial, and emotional challenges, as our St. Louis, MO boat accident injury lawyer knows. Medical bills, lost income, and lasting pain can place a heavy burden on you and your family. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation to help you recover and rebuild. The types of damages you can pursue depend on the details of your case, but several forms of compensation are commonly available through a boat accident injury claim. With more than 60 years of experience, you can count on us to help you with your boat accident injury claim.
Medical Expenses
One of the most significant parts of any injury claim involves medical costs. This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and any ongoing treatments you may need. Even future medical care related to your injuries can be included in your claim.
Lost Income
Our St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer knows that when an injury prevents you from working, you have the right to seek compensation for lost wages. This covers the income you missed while recovering and any future earnings you may lose if your ability to work is permanently affected.
Pain And Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress can last long after an accident. Compensation for pain and suffering is meant to address how your injuries have impacted your daily life, comfort, and well-being. The severity and duration of your pain are often considered when calculating this form of damages.
Property Damage
If your personal belongings or the boat itself were damaged in the accident, you can seek payment for repairs or replacement. Property damage claims may include the cost to restore your vessel, damaged gear, or other items lost during the incident.
Loss Of Enjoyment Of Life
Serious injuries can limit your ability to enjoy hobbies, recreation, and activities you once loved. When your lifestyle changes because of an accident, you may recover compensation for this loss of enjoyment. This type of claim focuses on how your injuries have affected your quality of life.
Permanent Disability Or Disfigurement
When an accident results in lasting harm, such as paralysis, limb loss, or scarring, additional damages may be available. These forms of compensation recognize the long-term physical and emotional toll that permanent injuries bring.
Emotional Distress
Boat accidents can cause trauma that affects your mental health. Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress are common after serious incidents. Compensation for emotional distress helps acknowledge and address this invisible but very real form of harm.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one lost their life in a boating accident, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. This can include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the emotional pain of losing a family member.
After a serious boating injury, you don’t have to face the recovery process on your own. At Goldstein and Price, Attorneys at Law, we help individuals and families pursue fair compensation for the harm they’ve suffered. Whether you’re dealing with medical costs, lost wages, or emotional trauma, our team can guide you through your legal options and work toward a fair outcome. We began as a maritime specialty firm and, while we have branched out, we still devote much of our practice to this. Contact our St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer today to discuss your situation and take the next step toward financial recovery and justice.
Common Injuries From Boat Accidents
Boat accidents often result in serious injuries and can happen suddenly in locations where emergency assistance is not close by. Collisions, falls, equipment failures, and operator error all contribute to injuries on rivers and lakes throughout Missouri. A law firm handling these claims often works with medical records, accident reports, and boating regulations tied to both state and federal rules. The firm associated with this content handles personal injury matters, including boating incidents involving recreational vessels, jet skis, and commercial watercraft, and represents injured individuals across Missouri and neighboring jurisdictions. Claims are handled with an emphasis on accountability and recovery for medical costs, lost income, and long-term impact. Anyone injured while boating may benefit from speaking with our St. Louis, MO boat accident injury lawyer.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries are common in boat accidents due to sudden impacts or falls onto hard surfaces. Even when a helmet is worn, a strong collision can result in concussions or more severe brain trauma requiring long-term treatment.
Spinal Cord and Back Injuries
Boat passengers may be thrown violently during a crash, leading to damage to the neck, back, or spinal cord. These injuries can affect mobility and often require extended rehabilitation or surgical care.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Boat accidents commonly lead to fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, or wrists, particularly when individuals are thrown from the vessel or hit by onboard equipment. Recovery time can range from weeks to months depending on the severity and location of the fracture.
Lacerations and Deep Cuts
Propellers, sharp edges, and broken glass can cause serious cuts during boating incidents. Some lacerations lead to infections or permanent scarring if not treated promptly.
Drowning and Near-Drowning Injuries
When a boat capsizes or a person is thrown overboard, lack of flotation can result in drowning or oxygen deprivation. Survivors of near-drowning may suffer lasting neurological or respiratory damage, and cases involving these injuries often require evaluation by our St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt force trauma from collisions can cause injuries to internal organs that are not immediately visible. These injuries are dangerous and often require emergency medical intervention.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, strains, and muscle tears may seem minor at first but can interfere with daily activities and work. Soft tissue injuries often require physical therapy and ongoing care.
Burns and Fire-Related Injuries
Fuel leaks or onboard fires can result in serious burns. Burn injuries may involve lengthy recovery periods and can leave permanent physical and emotional effects.
Amputation Injuries
In rare but severe cases, contact with propellers or heavy machinery can lead to partial or complete loss of limbs. These injuries permanently change a person’s ability to work and live independently.
When Boat Accident Injuries Disrupt Daily Life
Our St. Louis boat accident injury lawyer can review how an injury impacts ongoing medical needs, earning ability, and overall financial security. The firm connected to this content handles cases involving river accidents, weekend boating crashes, and incidents caused by impaired or inexperienced operators, and works on a contingency fee basis so clients are not required to pay upfront legal fees. Taking action early helps preserve evidence and strengthens injury claims. Anyone hurt in a boating accident should consider reaching out for legal guidance to discuss available options and next steps. To learn more about potential claims and recovery paths, contact Goldstein & Price, L.C.
5 Common Causes of Boat Accidents
Boating is a popular activity on rivers and lakes throughout Missouri, especially during warmer months. While many outings end safely, boat accidents still happen far too often and can lead to serious injuries or fatalities. When we review these cases, we see a consistent pattern of causes that contribute to crashes and other dangerous incidents on the water. Discover some of the most common causes and why you should call our St. Louis, MO boat accident lawyer!
1. Operator Inattention
Inattention is one of the leading causes of boat accidents. Boat operators may focus on conversations, phones, fishing equipment, or scenery instead of watching the water ahead. Unlike roads, waterways often lack clear lanes or signals, which makes constant awareness even more important. A moment of distraction can result in collisions with other boats, docks, or submerged objects. In crowded areas, inattention also increases the risk of striking swimmers or smaller watercraft.
2. Inexperience or Lack of Training
Many boat operators have limited experience and little formal training. In Missouri, not all boaters are required to complete safety courses, which means some people operate vessels without fully understanding water rules or emergency procedures. Inexperience often leads to poor speed control, unsafe turns, or failure to yield. These mistakes become more dangerous in busy waterways or changing weather conditions. Our St. Louis boat accident injury lawyers have been providing legal help for over 60 years.
3. Alcohol Use
Alcohol remains a major factor in boating accidents. Operating a boat while impaired affects balance, reaction time, and judgment, much like driving a car under the influence. On the water, these effects can be even more pronounced due to sun exposure, heat, and motion. Impaired operators are more likely to speed, ignore safety rules, or misjudge distances.
4. Excessive Speed
Speeding on the water reduces the operator’s ability to react to obstacles, other vessels, or sudden changes in conditions. Boats do not stop as quickly as cars, and high speeds increase the force of impact during a collision. Speeding is especially dangerous near shorelines, docks, and crowded recreational areas. Damage from high-speed accidents is often extensive, and injuries tend to be more severe. Our team includes our managing attorney, Neal W. Settergren, who can apply legal pressure in or outside of the courtroom.
5. Improper Lookout
Boat operators are required to maintain a proper lookout at all times. This means watching for other vessels, swimmers, debris, and changes in water conditions. Failing to keep a lookout can result in preventable collisions or groundings. Poor visibility, nighttime boating, and heavy traffic increase the need for careful observation. When operators fail to assign someone to help watch the surroundings, the risk of accidents rises significantly.
Taking Action After a Boat Accident
Boat accident claims often involve multiple factors, from operator behavior to vessel condition. At Goldstein and Price, L.C., we focus on clear facts and practical steps to address injuries and losses. If you or a loved one was harmed on the water, help is available! Call us today to speak with our St. Louis boat accident lawyer!