Waterski Accident Lawyers in Miami, Florida
Legal advocacy for those injured in waterskiing accidents throughout Florida
Waterskiing accidents can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Miami waterskiing accident, you need to understand your legal rights and options. The maritime injury and accident lawyers at Hickey Law Firm can help.
Hickey Law Firm is a nationally-recognized firm for their work in maritime injury law, including boat and other watercraft accidents. Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey is double board certified by The Florida Bar in Civil Trial and Admiralty and Maritime Law, distinctions held by few attorneys in Florida. He is also board certified in Civil Trial by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA). If you were harmed in any type of accident out on the water, get in touch with our personal injury attorneys today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How common are waterskiing accidents?
- What are some common causes of Miami waterskiing accidents?
- What types of injuries result from Miami waterskiing accidents?
- Who is liable for my Florida waterskiing accident?
- How can Hickey Law Firm help with my Miami waterskiing accident?
- What damages am I entitled to after a Miami waterskiing accident?
- Do you have a Miami waterskiing accident lawyer near me?
How common are waterskiing accidents?
The National Library of Medicine reports nearly 900 waterskiing-related injuries that resulted in emergency room visits between 2012 and 2022. Of these, 274 were females and 624 were males. Individuals between the ages of 10 and 19 accounted for 32% of the injuries.
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What are some common causes of Miami waterskiing accidents?
Waterskiing accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Boat operators may fail to follow safety protocols, leading to collisions or falls.
- Faulty skis, ropes, or boats can cause accidents.
- Failure of the boat operator to use safety equipment like cuffs on ski ropes to prevent the rope from snapping back. A rope snapping back into the boat can hit a passenger in the boat in the head.
- Poor weather conditions or obstacles in the water can contribute to accidents.
- Inexperienced boat operators increase the risk of accidents.
Here in Florida, water sports are very popular and accidents aren’t uncommon. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, there were 732 boating accidents in 2022, resulting in 65 fatalities.
What types of injuries result from Miami waterskiing accidents?
Miami waterskiing accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries. Some of these might be minor, but others can be life-changing. Because waterskiing involves high speed, physical strain, and water impact, even a small mistake can result in serious harm. Here are the most common types of injuries that can occur in a waterskiing accident.
- A fall at high speed can cause your head to hit the water or equipment with force, leading to concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These are especially dangerous if the skier is not wearing a helmet.
- Landing awkwardly after a fall, getting hit by the boat, or being jerked by the tow rope can cause spinal cord injuries. This could result in herniated discs, fractures, or even paralysis in the most severe cases.
- Waterskiing accidents can cause breaks and fractures to the arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones. High-impact collisions with the water, other skiers, or the boat itself are usually the cause.
- Torn ligaments, sprains, and muscle strains are common due to the physical demands of waterskiing. These injuries often happen when a skier tries to regain their balance or is yanked abruptly by the tow rope.
- Sharp ski edges, tow rope friction, or impact with debris in the water can cause deep cuts and lacerations. In some cases, these wounds require stitches or can lead to infections.
- If a skier is knocked unconscious, tangled in the ropes, or not wearing a life jacket, there’s a serious risk of drowning. Near-drowning can also cause long-term lung or brain damage from oxygen deprivation.
- If a skier falls face-first or is struck by equipment, they may suffer from broken teeth, facial fractures, or eye injuries.
- High-speed crashes or direct hits from the boat can cause damage to internal organs like the liver, lungs, or kidneys. These injuries are always serious and require immediate medical attention.
These types of injuries can result in long recovery times, expensive medical bills, and permanent disability. That’s why it’s so important to contact a waterskiing accident lawyer, especially one with maritime law experience, like Hickey Law Firm, who understands the medical and legal implications of these injuries.
Who is liable for my Florida waterskiing accident?
Identifying who is at fault for your Miami waterskiing accident is one of the most important steps in pursuing your legal claim. Potentially liable parties can include:
- The boat operator, if they were negligent, such as speeding or not maintaining a proper lookout.
- Equipment manufacturers, if defective equipment contributed to the accident.
- Rental companies, if they failed to provide safe equipment or adequate instructions.
- Other water users, if another vessel’s operator acted negligently or recklessly.
Our experienced attorneys can investigate the circumstances of your accident to accurately determine liability.
How can Hickey Law Firm help with my Miami waterskiing accident?
Depending on the location and circumstances of your water skiing accident, your claim may fall under maritime law, Florida personal injury law, or both, making these cases legally complicated. Water skiing accidents can cause injuries with one boat or more than one. We have successfully prosecuted cases for water skiers injured when the skier is in the water by the boat on which they were on. The skier jumps into the water. The operator of the boat does not look out for the skier who is now floating and trying to get her ski on her foot. The boat operator backs the boat up. The boat’s propeller slices into the foot and ankle of the floating skier.
In similar cases, we have also successfully represented divers injured by the boat they were on. The scenario is the same. The diver jumps into the water with the permission of the captain of the boat, the first mate, or the dive master. But the captain backed up the boat to reposition it. The captain does not keep a lookout for or keep track of the divers. In one such case, the dive boat’s mammoth 24” diameter propellers struck and cracked the skulls of 2 divers, father and son, who were behind the boat. The son was partially paralyzed and the father suffered a more minor head injury. Hickey Law Firm won that case also and settled the case for $12M on an insurance policy of only $1M.
The other scenario is where the skier is hit by another boat. Then both boats may be at fault. Again, maritime law may apply and the law is different.
The captain of the boat towing the skier may have been in an area where he should not have been and may have steered into the other boat. The captain of the other boat may also have been too close to the water ski boat. And the other boat may not have been looking out for boats and skiers. In that scenario, we may bring a claim against both boats. If this happened in a river, bay, ocean, or even a large lake that is “navigable,” that is capable of maritime commerce, maritime law applies. One or both of the owners of the boats can run to Federal Court and file actions (lawsuits) under a Federal statute, the Limitation of Liability Act. That is an old statute that allows the person at fault to start a lawsuit to have the court declare that their liability is limited to the value of the vessel. The value of the vessel, the boat, is usually not much compared to the value of the lawsuit. But there are exceptions to avoid this limitation.
We have won many waterski and other recreational boating cases in state and Federal Court. We are maritime lawyers. Call us. Call The Specialists.
We have represented numerous people injured in recreational boating cases. And we win.
Hickey Law Firm, based in Miami, is renowned for its expertise in maritime law. Led by John H. (Jack) Hickey, a double board-certified attorney in Admiralty & Maritime Law and Civil Trial Law, the firm offers:
- Deep understanding of maritime law nuances.
- Each case is handled with care and dedication.
- Successful outcomes in complex maritime cases.
Our commitment is encapsulated in our motto: "When the stakes are high, people choose Hickey Law Firm."
EXPERIENCE. LEADERSHIP. RESULTS.®
What damages am I entitled to after a Miami waterskiing accident?
If you are the victim of a waterskiing accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation.
- Your medical expenses, which cover hospital bills, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages, if your injuries prevent you from working.
- Pain and suffering, for your physical pain and emotional distress.
- Property damage, if personal belongings were damaged.
- Punitive damages, in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.
Here in Florida, punitive damages are generally capped at three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded, or $500,000 – whichever is greater (with minor exceptions).
Do you have a Miami waterskiing accident lawyer near me?
Hickey Law Firm is located at 12150 SW 128th Ct, Suite 225, in Miami, right off the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, close to the Miami Executive Airport. We serve the seriously injured in Miami, throughout Florida, and nationwide. If you are too injured to travel, we can come to you, or schedule a phone or video conference instead.
Experienced Miami waterskiing accident lawyer working for you
Water skiing accidents can have life-altering consequences. Understanding your legal rights and having the right representation is crucial. Hickey Law Firm's expertise in maritime law positions us as a valuable ally in navigating the complexities of such cases. If you or a loved one has been affected, consider reaching out to us for a consultation. Call us or fill out our contact form today to speak to one of our experienced maritime and admiralty lawyers.