Tender Boat Injury & Accident Attorney
Tender boats let cruise ship passengers or those on other large vessels get to shore. Accidents on tender boats vary from slip and falls to collisions with other vessels or even swimmers in the water. Whether you suffer a fracture or brain injury from a tender boat accident, reach out to our lawyers to see if you have a case.
Cruise ships may be liable if operator negligence causes injuries on tender boats. Operators might fail to maintain a proper lookout at all times or advise passengers on safety rules for the tender boat. Taking this smaller vessel out in bad weather conditions also risks serious and life-threatening injuries for passengers, whom our lawyers can help recover economic and non-economic damages in compensation claims.
For a free case review, call the tender boat injury and accident lawyers of Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind today at (305) 204-5369.
Who is Liable for Injuries While Boarding or Disembarking Tender Boats?
When a large vessel cannot fit into a port, such as a cruise ship, passengers and crew generally use a smaller vessel to reach land, known as a tender boat. Many tender boat injuries happen when passengers are boarding or disembarking these vessels. Because of this, passengers might automatically attribute accidents to their own clumsiness when someone else is really to blame.
Slipping while boarding and disembarking tender boats is one of the most common causes of injury. The crew should carefully explain the boarding procedures and safety concerns to passengers. Cruises typically provide ramps or steps to allow passengers to board tenders from the ships safely. If they do, these ramps should be secure.
The cruise may be liable for accidents you sustain while boarding or disembarking one of its tender boats.
Some cruises hire tender boat companies and operators to transport passengers to and from shore. Cruises may still be liable for injuries to passengers, however, if it was a joint venture or passengers were under the impression the cruise operated the tender boat.
Why Do Tender Boat Accidents Happen?
Tender boat accidents happen for many reasons, such as poor weather and operator negligence. Let us get to the bottom of why you were injured so our tender boat injury and accident lawyers can bring a strong, successful claim.
Bad Conditions
Tenders are small vessels that cannot handle the same conditions as larger yachts or massive cruise ships. Rough waters, bad rain, and high winds make taking tenders out very dangerous. These small boats might capsize, and passengers might drown in these scenarios.
Operator Error
Operators failing to maintain a proper lookout or operate tender boats safely might cause accidents. Boats might crash into rocks or other objects in the water, especially when they get closer to ports.
Crowded Waters
Tenders transporting crew or passengers from larger boats may enter crowded waters as they get nearer to shore. Tender boats are small, so operators of larger vessels might not see them, especially if they do not keep a proper lookout.
Crowded waters increase the risk of collisions with other boats, swimmers, and personal watercraft, all of which might injure tender boat passengers.
How Long Do You Have to Sue for a Tender Boat Accident?
If maritime law applies to your lawsuits against a cruise ship for a tender boat accident, you likely have one year to file your claim. This is not lengthy at all, so please do not hesitate to contact us about your case.
Assume you only have one year to file, as delaying your case and missing the statute of limitations has serious consequences. Victims cannot sue once the filing deadline passes unless an exception to the statute of limitations applies.
What Are Common Tender Boat Accident Injuries?
Fractures and head injuries are some of the most common tender boat accident injuries. Passengers also risk drowning during accidents, which might cause life-altering or fatal injuries.
Fractures
Tender boats may have slippery surfaces, making slip and falls one of the most common accidents. Falls from any height can cause fractures. Hand, wrist, ankle, and foot fractures are some of the most common.
Drowning Injuries
If tender boats capsize in rough waters or passengers fall overboard for other reasons, they might suffer drowning injuries. Not all drowning injuries are fatal, but they generally have permanent effects on surviving victims.
Head Injuries
Falls into the water while boarding or disembarking and other tender boat accidents risk head injuries. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures are all very serious and require immediate medical attention.
What Damages Can My Tender Boat Injury and Accident Lawyer Recover?
Our attorneys can recover substantial damages on your behalf. Let us identify all economic losses and help you quantify your non-economic damages for pain and suffering so you know your deserved settlement or jury award.
Economic Damages
Needing any medical treatment after a tender boat accident means incurring medical damages, all of which are compensable in a lawsuit. Report any medical care you receive from cruise ship physicians, and tell us if you sought treatment at a foreign hospital. We can get medical records and copies of bills, which we will use as evidence in your lawsuit.
Damages from ending a cruise early and returning home because of an injury, getting additional care upon your return home, and being unable to work are also compensable.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages also come from lawsuits against cruises for tender boat accident injuries. Whether a victim suffers a broken bone, brain damage, or a spinal cord injury, they likely experience physical pain and some emotional distress.
Be candid about your pain and suffering with our lawyers. This lets us better understand your non-economic damages and calculate how much you should recover from a lawsuit.
Call Us About a Tender Boat Accident Today
For a free case assessment, call the tender boat injury and accident lawyers of Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind at (305) 204-5369 today.
