Can You Sue a Boat Rental Company for an Injury in Florida?
When you rent a boat, you expect it to be in good working order and to have all the safety features a recreational boat should have in case of an emergency, so passengers stay safe. If that doesn’t happen and you are injured while renting a boat in Florida, can you sue?
You may be able to sue a boat rental company if the boat was in poor condition or the operator was negligent or inexperienced. You can pursue compensation for any hospital bills, missed wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses, as well as non-economic damages. You have just two years to sue for injury in Florida, so do not waste any time.
Get a free and confidential case evaluation from our Florida boating accident lawyers when you call Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369.
Why Can You Sue a Boat Rental Company for Injury in Florida?
Boating injuries are common, and someone is usually to blame. After learning more about your case, our lawyers can explain whether you have a cause of action against a boat rental company and why.
Boat rental companies owe their customers a duty of care. Boats should be in good working order and equipped with enough personal flotation devices and other necessary safety features. If a boat rental company employs boaters who operate vessels for customers, the rental company has a duty to make sure the operators have the necessary experience.
Any breach of duty of care that causes injuries can lead to a lawsuit. You may be able to sue a boat rental company for injuries due to negligent operation, defective parts, or insufficient safety measures.
What Damages Can You Sue a Boat Rental Company for in Florida?
Lawsuits can cover all losses from boat accident injuries when plaintiffs present proof of their damages.
Medical Bills
Your most concerning damages may be the medical expenses from a boating accident. Common boating accident injuries include drowning injuries, head trauma, and slip and fall injuries. You will most likely have to go to the hospital after a boating accident, especially if you fall overboard, hit your head, or lose consciousness.
You can sue a boat rental company for medical damages incurred to date and future medical damages from upcoming procedures.
Lost Wages
You can also sue a boat rental company for lost wages if you cannot return to work immediately or ever again at the same earning capacity. Our Florida boating accident lawyers can calculate and prove lost wages with your income and employment records.
Pain and Suffering
When suing a boat rental company for injury, you may seek relief from non-economic damages as well. Your non-economic damages may be just as consequential as your economic damages, especially if you have sustained a permanent injury. We won’t let you underestimate your pain and suffering.
How Much Time Do You Have to Sue a Boat Rental Company for Injury?
Even though a boat rental company may be liable for your recent injury in Florida, you can’t hold it accountable indefinitely. You must bring your case before the statute of limitations expires, or risk not getting any compensation at all.
Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations for boating accidents is 2 years. The countdown begins on the date of injury, unless the victim discovered their injury later, they were a minor at the time of injury, or another “tolling” exception to the statute of limitations applies.
Although you have the full 2 years to bring your case, you shouldn’t necessarily wait that long to sue, particularly if you are dealing with expensive damages.
FAQs About Suing a Boat Rental Company for Injury in Florida
Can I Sue a Boat Rental Company for Injury if I Signed a Liability Waiver?
Even if you signed a liability waiver, you may be able to sue the boat rental company for injury if the waiver contained vague language, tried to waive liability for injuries due to gross negligence or intentional harm, or violated public policy.
What Do I Have to Prove When Suing a Boat Rental Company for Injury in Florida?
When suing a boat rental company for injury in Florida, you must prove that the company owed you a duty of care as a customer, the rental boat company breached the duty of care, you were injured because of the breach, and you incurred damages.
Can I Sue a Boat Rental Company for Injury if I Share Fault?
Even if you somewhat contributed to boating accident injuries, you may still recover some compensation because Florida’s comparative fault rule may not block your recovery entirely.
Can I Sue a Boat Rental Company for Punitive Damages in Florida?
Boat rental companies that are aware of dangerous defects and still rent them to customers may also be liable for punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish defendants for gross negligence and intentional misconduct, which involve a conscious disregard for the safety of others.
How Long Does Suing a Boat Rental Company for Injury Take?
How long it takes for you to resolve an injury lawsuit with a boat rental company depends on multiple factors, including how quickly you need compensation, how badly both parties want to settle and avoid a trial, and how long it takes to prepare a strong case.
What Evidence Do I Need to Sue a Boat Rental Company for Injury?
Eyewitness statements can be some of the strongest evidence in an injury lawsuit against a boat rental company. Tell us who was present on the boat or another vessel at the time and can testify about what happened.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me Sue a Boat Rental Company for Injury?
Our lawyers can confirm whether or not you have a case against a boat rental company, gather the evidence you need to prove your case, and file the injury complaint while there is still time left in the statute of limitations.
Call Us After a Boat Accident in Florida
Call the Florida boating accident lawyers of Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, P.A. at (305) 204-5369 for a free case review.
