Louisiana’s waterways and marshes are among the State’s most valuable and precious natural resource. Residential and commercial maritime activities, from recreational fishing to traditional maritime commerce, is a staple of life for residents of this sportsman’s paradise.

Unfortunately, Louisiana’s bustling waterways give rise to many tragic boating accidents every year. Some victims of boating accidents may simply fall overboard during leisure activities, while others are thrown overboard in an allision. Many injuries from boating accidents can be avoided by wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices, also known as life jackets. Many accidents can be avoided entirely by following simple boating rules and regulations.

Recovering Damages After Boating Accident or Injury

Victims of boating accidents may recover civil damages under Louisiana law of negligence. To recover, the victim must prove that their injuries were caused by the dangerous or unreasonable actions of another person. Boating accident victims must prove all of the normal elements of negligence, including legal duty, breach of duty, causation, and damages.

Plaintiffs injured in boating accidents may look to the Rules of the Road for Vessels [link to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/boating-regulations], and other boating regulations, for guidance to establish whether the responsible party’s actions were negligent. The experienced attorneys at Mansfield Melancon can help identify causes of negligence, including distracted operation of a vessel, improper operation, operation under the influence of alcohol or other substances, failure to maintain a proper lookout, excessive speeding, or failure to act reasonably under the circumstances.

If an injured plaintiff can establish the negligence of the responsible party, the victim may be entitled to recover monetary damages for his or her pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of earnings capacity, medical bills, and other out of pocket expenses related to the injuries sustained. In some cases, Federal law may provide additional or alternative remedies or protections to qualifying individuals, such as seamen, longshoremen, or harbor workers.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a boating accident, contact the experienced lawyers at Mansfield Melancon today by calling or submitting an online inquiry. Your time to file a claim is limited.

Additional Boating Accident Statistics and Resources:

  • Louisiana Boating Accident Statistics by Year
  • Louisiana Boating Safety and Waterway Strategic Plan
  • Louisiana Boating Regulations – Required Equipment
  • Louisiana Boating Regulations – Rules of the Road for Vessels
  • U.S. Coast Guard Boating Regulations
  • U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Center

Boating Accident Reporting

  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – Boating Incident Report
  • Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries – Boating Incident Report Request Form

Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a Boating Accident Lawyer at Mansfield Melancon today!

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, the personal injury attorneys at Mansfield Melancon can help. We are committed to guiding the people whom we represent through the legal process with experience and personal attention.

Our firm also has a strong track record of getting optimal results for our clients.

Our offices are conveniently located in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. Call us or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Louisiana personal injury lawyer. You can reach us at our New Orleans location at 504-500-1108, our Baton Rouge location at 225-612-0800, or our Lafayette location at 337-409-0003.