While a day at the beach should be a fun, relaxing time, beaches are often filled with various hazards that can cause accidents and injuries that will quickly ruin your day. While freak accidents at the beach do occur, other injuries at the beach result from the negligence of other parties. If you plan on visiting the beach this summer, it is important to be aware of some of the more common hazards you may find at the beach. You should also know what legal rights you may have if you are involved in a beach accident.
Common Beach Accidents
The frequent accidents that occur at the beach include:
- Drownings or near-drownings
- Surfing accidents, including being hit by a rough wave or being slammed into the ocean floor
- Impacting rocks, jetties, or other objects on or underneath the water’s surface
- Lacerations caused by sharp objects, such as broken glass or needles hidden in the sand
- Jet ski and water sports accidents
Frequent Causes of Beach Accidents
After being injured in a beach accident, it is important to determine what caused the accident. While some accidents are honestly unavoidable, sometimes a beach accident may be caused by another party’s negligence. Examples of negligence that can lead to a beach accident include:
- Inadequate lookout by a lifeguard
- Failure to staff the beach with lifeguards
- Failure to post advisories of water hazards, such as rough waves, riptides, or dangerous marine animals like sharks or jellyfish
- Failure to maintain the beach and to clear out hazardous trash
- Negligent operation of watercraft, including boats and jet skis
- Inadequate security to prevent criminal or violent activity by other beachgoers
Seeking Financial Recovery After a Beach Accident
When a beach accident is caused by another party’s negligence or legal fault, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation for losses that you incurred due to the injuries you suffered in the accident. Parties who might be held liable in a beach accident case include:
- Lifeguards
- Owners/operators of beachfront hotels and resorts
- City or county governments
- Boat and watercraft operators
- Watersports charter companies
- Other beachgoers
It is important to begin gathering evidence as soon as possible after a beach accident by talking to eyewitnesses who may have observed important details and by taking photos and videos of critical evidence, such as the lack of lifeguards or warning signs. You should also seek prompt medical attention to diagnose and begin treating your injuries, to avoid potentially jeopardizing your right to financial recovery.
In a beach accident claim against a negligent party, you may be entitled to recover compensation for expenses and losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including hospital care, surgeries, prescriptions, or physical therapy
- Lost wages/income if you miss time from work or need to go on part-time/light duty after the accident
- Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you ultimately cannot return to your old job
- Physical pain and mental anguish/distress
- Lost enjoyment and quality of life because of visible scarring/disfigurement or permanent disabilities that result from your injuries
Contact a Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Beach Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a beach accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of beach accidents in Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Boca Raton, and throughout Florida. Call (561) 533-0345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 4701 N Federal Hwy #309, Pompano Beach, FL 33064 as well as offices in Lake Worth.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.