Tiki Boat & Party Boat Rental Injury Lawyer
Providing legal help for tourists and locals injured on Miami’s party and tiki boats
Tiki boats, floating tiki bars, party boats, and pontoon charters are now some of the most sought-after attractions across Miami, Biscayne Bay, and South Florida. While these outings are designed to let groups unwind and celebrate on the water, serious injuries can happen.
Many accident victims are surprised to learn that their injury claims may involve not only state law, but also specialized maritime law. If you have been hurt during a cruise on a tiki boat, party boat, or any similar vessel, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
WAS A LAWYER FOR THE CRUISE LINES. NOW A LAWYER FOR YOU ®
Common tiki boat and party boat accidents
Boat parties may seem harmless, but unsafe practices by companies or operators can pose major hazards to guests. Understanding how these accidents occur is important for both passengers and families seeking legal recourse.
Passenger slip and fall accidents
Wet decks, uneven or loose flooring, poor lighting on the boat, or equipment left out can create environments where slips and falls are likely. When crew members fail to keep the walking areas safe, passengers can suffer fractures, head injuries, or other serious harm.
Man overboard incidents
Passengers can end up overboard when boats lack proper railings, an operator drives carelessly, guests become heavily intoxicated, or there is inadequate supervision. These accidents can lead to extremely serious injuries and sometimes fatalities.
Boat collisions
Crashes can happen when party or tiki boats hit other boats in crowded marina areas, run into docks, or accidentally collide with personal watercraft like jet skis. These incidents can send passengers crashing into hard surfaces or overboard in seconds.
Over-serving alcohol
The reality is that many people who rent a tiki or party boat will be consuming alcohol. While everyone should try to keep track of what they drink, the company’s operator or staff on board need to be careful about over-serving guests. If they continue to provide alcohol to an intoxicated guest, liability may arise in certain circumstances depending on the facts, including whether alcohol was unlawfully provided to a minor, knowingly served to a person habitually addicted to alcohol, or connected to other negligent conduct by the company. These drunk party boat accidents can be really dangerous.
Fire and burn injuries
Some party vessels have grills or cooking areas, or use electrical equipment that, if poorly maintained or used irresponsibly, can cause serious burns. Fuel issues or electrical problems may result in sudden, fast-moving fires, putting everyone on board in danger.
Drowning and near-drowning accidents
If staff does not provide or enforce legally required life jacket use, act quickly in an emergency, or follow correct procedures for rescues, a fall into the water can be incredibly dangerous. These avoidable errors lead to both fatal and life-altering cases of drowning or near-drowning, which can create lasting trauma for surviving guests and family.
All of these types of accidents can lead to serious injuries, most of which could be avoided if proper care were taken.
WHEN PEOPLE NEED A SPECIALIST IN LIFE CHANGING INJURIES,
PEOPLE CHOOSE HICKEY LAW FIRM.
Who can be held liable after a tiki boat accident?
After a tiki boat or party boat accident, there are a number of parties that can potentially be held liable if a guest is injured. Tiki boat rental liability usually includes one or more of the following parties:
The boat operator or captain
An operator’s decisions on the water play a major role in keeping every passenger safe. If the captain drives aggressively, speeds through no-wake zones, does not pay attention to the surroundings, or is under the influence, the risk of injury rises significantly. Operators who ignore guests’ behaviors or safe-driving standards can be held responsible after an accident.
The tiki boat or party boat company
The tiki boat or party boat company has several duties it must fulfill when operating or renting the vessel. If they skip proper background checks for employees, neglect routine and emergency training, fail to fix maintenance issues, or ignore safety rules and violations, guests may end up injured. When this happens, the actual company can be legally liable.
Charter companies and event organizers
Tour and charter businesses and event organizers that hold unsafe events, fail to monitor intoxicated guests, or permit dangerously overloaded boats may be putting passengers at risk. Poor monitoring and organization are sometimes the direct causes of avoidable accidents.
Manufacturers and maintenance providers
Some accidents are caused by problems with the vessel or the equipment itself, for example, manufacturing defects, inadequate mechanical maintenance, or undetected problems with steering, propulsion, or safety systems. If a mechanical failure results in injury, these companies may be partially liable.
Working with a tiki boat accident lawyer will help you determine who is liable and where to begin your claim.
Maritime law may apply to your claim
When someone is injured on a tiki boat or party boat in Miami, their legal claim may fall under maritime law. Many accidents occurring on navigable waters may fall under federal maritime jurisdiction. This can mean a different body of law applies than in a typical personal injury case, like a fall at a hotel or resort.
A maritime injury case is not the same as a straightforward premises liability claim. The rights of the injured and the obligations of boat owners or operators can follow a different set of guidelines.
There are also special defenses available in maritime law, such as the Limitation of Liability Act, that do not exist in most ordinary personal injury cases. Having a lawyer skilled in maritime cases is often important for giving injured passengers a fair shot at recovery.
Preserving evidence aboard boats or barges can be much more challenging than after an accident on dry land. Boats move, evidence can be washed away, and owners may replace or repair aspects of the boat that could actually be used as evidence.
What compensation can injury victims recover?
If you are injured on a tiki boat or party boat, you may be entitled to different types of compensation depending on how the accident has affected your life. Knowing what damages are available can assist you and your family in recovering financially and emotionally after a serious accident.
Economic damages
Economic damages compensate you for losses that can be assessed with bills and receipts in most circumstances. This typically covers medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and any other out-of-pocket expenses you incurred as a result of the injury.
Non-economic damages
You can also be entitled to damages that do not have an actual financial number attached to them. This could be pain and suffering, mental anguish, or decreased enjoyment or satisfaction in activities and daily life.
Wrongful death damages
If your loved one died in a boating accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Family members can collect costs for a funeral, compensation for the support now lost that was provided by the person who died, and damages for loss of companionship and advice.
Receiving full compensation can provide critical support as you deal with both the immediate and long-term effects of a traumatic injury or loss of a loved one.
MAKING OUR WORLD SAFER ONE CASE AT A TIME ®
Do you have a local tiki and party boat rental injury lawyer I can speak with?
Yes. If you experienced a party boat rental injury, Florida laws can be confusing. We have attorneys who can help. We have more than 70 years of combined experience handling injury cases, many of which include party and floating tiki bar injuries in Miami. If you have questions about an injury you suffered and believe it was because someone else was negligent, we can explain your options to you. We have two offices, one located in Miami and the other in Coral Gables.
Miami Office
12150 SW 128th Ct, Suite 225
Miami, FL 33186
Phone: 305-371-8000
Coral Gables Office
804 South Douglas Road, Suite 373
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: (800) 215-7117
Call us today to schedule your free consultation.
Contact Hickey Law Firm Trial Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer
When you go to Florida and rent a tiki or a party boat, you’re expecting to have a great time. You likely aren’t worrying about injuries or thinking that someone on the water or a company you’re renting from will be negligent and risk your safety. Unfortunately, this happens more often than people realize. If you were injured on a tiki boat or party boat and are dealing with the aftermath, we are here to help. Call Hickey Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced tiki boat and party boat accident lawyer.