Boat Propeller & Prop-Strike Injury Lawyer
Helping victims and families pursue compensation after catastrophic boat propeller and prop-strike accidents throughout Florida
Boat propeller accidents are some of the most devastating injuries that can occur on Florida waterways. A propeller can cause catastrophic injuries in just seconds, even leading to fatalities. People can become injured this way if they fall off a boat or if they’re in the water on another type of watercraft or as a swimmer, snorkeler, or diver.
A lot of these accidents are preventable and occur because the operator of the boat was negligent. If you are in this situation and you or your loved one has been hurt in a prop-strike situation, our team can help. Call Hickey Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation with a Miami boat propeller and prop-strike injury lawyer.
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Table of Contents
- Common boat propeller accident scenarios
- Injuries caused by boat propellers
- Why do propeller accidents happen?
- Maritime law and boat propeller injury claims
- Evidence that may be important in a boat prop strike case
- Does your law firm have an experienced, local boat propeller and prop-strike injury lawyer?
Common boat propeller accident scenarios
Boat propeller accidents are more common than many people realize, and they can cause significant injuries and even death in some cases. Understanding how these scenarios occur can help everyone in and near the water be more careful.
Swimmer hit by a boat propeller
It is unfortunately all too common for a boat to run over a swimmer who is enjoying the water near a beach or anchorage, particularly when operators fail to maintain a safe lookout or ignore posted swim zones. The injuries from this type of incident are frequently life-altering and require an emergency response.
Diver struck by a propeller
Diving accidents can occur when a boat actively moves into a dive zone or anchors too close to a diver’s flag, or does not wait for all divers to clear the area. Often, divers surface as a boat passes above, placing them directly in the path of dangerous propeller blades.
Passenger falls overboard
Passengers can accidentally fall from boats due to slippery surfaces, sudden turns, rowdy behavior, lack of adequate deck barriers, or rough water (just to name a few). While in some cases, no injuries are suffered, in others, the passenger is pulled into the propeller of the boat and can suffer catastrophic injury.
In each of these situations, quick action is essential to prevent the worst outcomes.
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PEOPLE CHOOSE HICKEY LAW FIRM.
Injuries caused by boat propellers
Boat propellers cause some of the most severe and traumatic injuries seen on the water. Even minor contact carries a high risk of permanent consequences or long-term medical needs for survivors. Common injuries include:
Deep lacerations and tissue damage
A spinning propeller contacting the skin can cause deep cuts that often pass through several layers of flesh, muscles, blood vessels, and tendons. These wounds require more than sutures; many require surgery and weeks or months of wound care and therapy to fully heal.
Traumatic amputations
Propeller blades are quick, sharp, and powerful. They can cause total or partial amputation of fingers, hands, feet, or limbs. These injuries not only pose physical obstacles but also emotional, psychological, and practical life challenges for victims and their families.
Traumatic brain injuries
If the head strikes a propeller or is forcefully pushed underwater during a boating emergency, damage to the brain can occur. This can include loss of memory, difficulty concentrating, changes in personality, or, in severe cases, long-term impairment requiring help with daily activities.
Drowning and near-drowning injuries
The intense initial trauma of a propeller strike, coupled with blood loss and shock, can quickly overwhelm someone in the water. The injured person may struggle to stay above water, or they may end up unconscious. In these cases, drowning or near-drowning events can occur.
Wrongful death
Sadly, the severity and range of injuries caused by boat propellers too often lead to fatalities. Unless immediate rescue and medical intervention are provided, many victims lose their lives.
These injuries can be life-changing and should be taken seriously right away.
Why do propeller accidents happen?
It’s clear that these injuries can be severe, but why do they happen in the first place? Much of the time, they lead back to negligence. Here’s how this can occur:
Operator inattention
The person in charge of the boat might be distracted, not watching swimmers or those near the water, or failing to keep a consistent lookout, making it unfortunately easy to miss someone in their path. This is even more problematic when it’s getting dark out, and swimmers are more difficult to see.
Failure to turn off the engine
Leaving the engine running while people are getting in or out of the water, especially during swimming or boarding, is a frequent cause. It takes only a momentary lapse for an accident to occur.
Improper operation in high-traffic areas
Violating essential safety guidelines, such as bringing a boat too close to swimming areas, crowded sand bars, or dive flags, is incredibly dangerous. These behaviors increase the risk of running over someone and causing injuries.
Failure to supervise children or passengers
Boaters who don’t watch children closely or don’t tell riders where to sit safely on the boat make it easier for someone to slip overboard and get hurt by a propeller.
Maintenance issues or defective equipment
Sometimes, missing guards, faulty kill-switches, and other neglected safety features contribute to propulsion injuries that are potentially avoidable with proper checks.
Most of these accidents could have been prevented, making it essential to hold responsible parties accountable.
Maritime law and boat propeller injury claims
When a boat propeller accident occurs on navigable waters in or around Florida, your legal claim may fall under maritime law rather than the typical state laws that apply to injuries on land. Maritime (or admiralty) law is a specialized set of rules and standards that govern accidents involving boating injuries, and it can affect everything from who is held responsible to where your lawsuit can be filed.
If you are injured by a propeller on the water, your case might be handled in federal court and must follow very specific procedures. Some types of evidence, including vessel inspection reports, maintenance records, witness lists, waiver agreements, GPS trackers, and emergency protocols, can be especially important.
Having a skilled boat propeller injury lawyer who knows both personal injury and admiralty law helps make sure you don’t miss deadlines, lose critical evidence, or accept less than you deserve after such a serious boating incident.
Evidence that may be important in a boat prop strike case
If you’ve been injured by a boat propeller, there’s certain evidence that’s going to be really important to your claim. Some of this includes:
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports
- Coast Guard reports
- Witness statements
- Vessel inspection records
- GPS and navigation data
- Dive flags and warning markers
- Photographs and video footage
Gathering and securing these types of evidence quickly can help build a case showing why you are entitled to compensation and who is responsible for your accident.
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Does your law firm have an experienced, local boat propeller and prop-strike injury lawyer?
Our firm has propeller accident attorneys in Florida who can help with your boat propeller and prop-strike injury case. We have more than 70 years of combined experience in personal injury law, and many of our cases involve water-related injuries. We have two offices, one located in Miami and the other in Coral Gables. Call us today and schedule a free consultation.
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
Contact Hickey Law Firm to speak with a lawyer experienced in boat propeller and prop-strike injuries
If you’ve been injured in a boat propeller accident, it’s likely that you’re facing significant medical expenses and other losses, both financially and emotionally. These are some of the most serious injuries that can occur in the water, and you may be entitled to compensation if someone else’s negligence was the cause of them.
The best way to get an overview of your options is to speak with a personal injury lawyer who has experience in these types of cases. Hickey Law Firm Trial Lawyers can review your case and give you answers. Contact us today to schedule a free case consultation with a Miami boat propeller and prop-strike injury lawyer.