Claiming Compensation for an Accident on a Boat or Ship

If you plan to go on a boat, be it for sport or leisure, make sure you take out adequate insurance beforehand, and check the policy covers you for the type of boat you are going on.  Furthermore, if the tour operator asks you to sign a waiver, remember that you are usually signing away your rights to compensation in the event of an injury.

How do I claim financial compensation for a boat accident?

If you are injured whilst on a boat, then you can only claim compensation if the injury is not your fault.  Also, the accident must have been caused by another person’s negligence. For example, if you are on a ferry and you ignore a sign telling you not to go in a certain area and are injured, then the accident is your fault and you probably won’t be able to claim damages.  However, if there was no sign up in the first place, then the boat owner has failed in his duty to protect you and you may be able to make a claim.

You may go on a boat whilst on holiday. If you are on a package holiday then it may be possible to sue the holiday company rather than have to trace the overseas owner of the boat (which may be difficult and expensive).  This is because the holiday company owes you a duty of care and must ensure all facilities are safe.

In most cases you will have to issue proceedings against the owner of the boat, which may be a company or a person.  If you slip over on a boat because it was not kept to a safe standard (for example the floor was warped or rotten) then the owner is negligent and should compensate you for your suffering.  If you are on a ferry or cruise ship and get food poisoning then, again, you may have a claim for compensation for the suffering and for the loss of enjoyment of a holiday.

How much financial compensation can I claim for a boat accident?

You will be able to claim for all your expenses incurred as a direct result of the accident, such as medical fees, or costs of transport to hospital.  You will also be able to claim for the pain and suffering caused, as well as for potential future costs.  For example, if you have to give up work as a result of the accident, or need a carer for the rest of your life, you will be able to claim for these losses too.

It does not have to be a complicated process.  Contact us FREE at LEGAL REQUEST and we can do the hard work for you.  We offer NO WIN NO FEE agreements so you don’t pay a penny and keep 100% of the damages awarded.