Boat injury compensation claims
If you have been injured in a boating accident you may be eligible to access compensation.
A day on the water is a quintessential Aussie experience, but if something goes wrong due to the negligence of a boat operator and you suffer an injury or loss as a result, then you may be eligible for damages through their insurance.
A day on the water is a quintessential Aussie experience. You have a right to be safe from injury while out on the water. If you’re injured in a boat accident because the boat operator is negligent, you may be eligible to claim public liability compensation through their insurer.
Who can make a boat accident compensation claim?
You can make a public liability compensation claim if you were injured in a boat accident and:
The boat operator was negligent and owed you a duty of care. This means they had an obligation to protect you from reasonably foreseeable injury while you were on the boat
The duty of care was breached (or they failed in their obligation to you)
Your injury is because of their breach of duty of care
In this context, your accident compensation claim could be if you were injured on a:
Boat
Cruise ship
Fishing boat
Speedboat
Powerboat
Sailboat
Party boat
Jet ski
Other sea vessel
To prove negligence, you must establish that the boat (or other sea vessel) operator owed you a duty of and breached their duty of care, resulting in your injury. Their breach of care may be by, for example:
Driving the boat recklessly
Operating the boat in a dangerous manner
Disregarding safety measures while on board the boat
What are examples of boating accidents?
Examples of boating accidents caused by the boat operator’s negligence include:
An accident or collision with another sea vessel on the water
A collision with a stationary object such as a pier, pylon or dock
The boat operator failing to keep a proper lookout
The boat operator failing to comply with maritime rules
The boat operator driving the boat at excessive speed, causing an accident or for you to fall overboard
Failing to have safety equipment on board the boat
Failure to properly maintain the boat or other sea vessel, leading to an incident such as an engine fire or failure causing injury
The boat operator consumes excessive alcohol while in charge of the boat, leading to an incident causing injury
What are examples of boat accident injuries
Boating accident injuries could include:
Slipping and falling on board, causing a head injury, spinal injury or fracture
Falling overboard, causing a psychological injury due to trauma
Water sports injuries caused by driving with improper care or failure to adequately maintain equipment (such as when wakeboarding, tubing, water-skiing, scuba-diving or parasailing)
Being burned due to fire on board or by being exposed to chemicals
Injuries caused by inadequately maintained equipment
Injuries caused by collision with another boat or stationary object
Injuries sustained on a cruise
Check if you have a claim with our simple, free online tool.
What we will ask:
Details about the accident and injuries that may have happened to you or your loved one
Basic personal information that is relevant and necessary for your compensation claim
What happens next:
Either book a no-obligation appointment with a public liability law expert right away, or
Speak with our public liability team about your options
What should you do if you’ve been injured in a boat accident?
If you’re injured in a boat accident because of someone’s negligence, it’s important that you:
Seek medical attention for your injury
Ensure your treating doctor prepares a medical report detailing your injury and treatment
Ensure a police report is prepared
Contact the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to notify them of the boat accident
Contact a boat accident lawyer
Below is more information to help you make a successful boat accident compensation claim:
If you are experiencing persistent symptoms after being injured, and another person, business or organisation is responsible, you may be able to make a public liability claim.
To help you make a successful claim, we recommend collecting evidence as soon as possible after your injury.
This evidence may include:
Taking photographs of the injury, and the location where the injury occurred.
Writing down what happened to you. Recording the contact details of any witnesses.
Sharing with your lawyer a record of the report you made of your injury and any response you received from those responsible.
Keeping any medical record of your injury. This includes appointment dates, medical certificates and x-rays.
Recording any expenses or lost wages due to your injuries.
What can I claim boat accident compensation for?
What you can claim in an accident compensation claim for will be specific to your boat accident and injuries.
Each accident compensation claim is different, but you may be eligible to claim for:
Medical and rehabilitation costs
Past and future lost earnings
The cost of care and help at home provided by friends, family or any other individual
Pain and suffering (which is claimed as ‘general damages’)
Public liability boat accident compensation claim FAQs
Are there any Shine public liability boat accident lawyers near me?
With more than 40 branches across Australia and 1000+ team members, location is no barrier when it comes to accessing Shine Lawyers legal advice and support.
If you’d like to speak to our public liability team in person, you can see our full list of locations here.
If you can't find a location near you, we can easily arrange an obligation-free virtual appointment or discuss the option to meet at a location that’s comfortable and convenient for you. No matter where you are located, we will always provide the same, expert advice and manage your claim with the same level of quality and commitment.
Can I represent myself, or do I need a public liability boat accident lawyer?
It’s possible to legally represent yourself when making an accident compensation claim. However doing so successfully will likely require:
A thorough understanding of boating accident public liability law
A full understanding of your legal rights and entitlements in an accident compensation claim
A commitment to actively pursue your case to move it forward
Without an experienced public liability boat accident lawyer in your corner, it can be difficult to identify and highlight the strengths of your case. You then may not receive the boating accident compensation you deserve.
Why trust Shine to be my public liability boating accident lawyers?
At Shine Lawyers, we put you first. We’ve been standing up for the rights of everyday Australians for over 45 years. As one of Australia’s largest litigation law firms, we are here to help you get the justice you deserve.
Our empathy, understanding and expertise is why we’re ahead of the pack. We’ll stand with you and guide you through every step of the way.
Do you have a claim?
We’re here to make the claims process as simple and stress-free as possible.
