5 Common Sailboat Accident Injuries

Sailing is an activity that is relaxing and exhilarating all at the same time. Unfortunately, it can also be very dangerous. Whether you are racing or just cruising, there are many hazards that can result in an accident while on the water. Sailboat accidents take many different forms, but all of them can result in very serious injuries. If you have suffered any type of injury in a sailboat accident, it is critical that you speak to a Florida boat crash lawyer as soon as possible. Below are five of the most common sailboat accident injuries our experienced attorney has seen.

Concussions 

There are many ways people sustain concussions on sailboats. Collisions with other vessels and falls are responsible for some of these injuries. On sailboats particularly, there is also the risk of being struck by the boom as it passes over the cockpit during a gybe or tack. Some of the most common symptoms associated with concussions include dizziness, headaches, nausea, confusion, and vision impairment.

Facial Injuries 

A swinging boom can also cause facial injuries. Jaw and nose fractures are some of the most common of these. As people try to maintain their balance, they may also fall onto the deck or other structures and sustain a facial injury. Facial injuries are always considered serious and they can sometimes result in permanent disfigurement, which can result in a lifetime of emotional trauma  for accident victims.

Dislocated and Broken Bones

 Dislocated and broken bones are also very common on sailboats. Even when conditions are relatively calm, passengers often lose their balance when there are sudden waves or gusts of wind. The walking surfaces on sailboats are also often very uneven, which can also cause passengers to lose their balance.

Sheet and Line Injuries 

The sheets and lines on a sailboat are very important for the boat’s operation. However, they are under immense pressure. When a sail catches wind suddenly or the boat changes direction, this equipment can fly off of the deck. It takes very experienced crew workers to work with sheets and lines. If inexperienced people try to manage this equipment, things can become very dangerous.

Amputations 

Amputations are such a dangerous injury that can result from sheets and lines that they deserve their own mention. Sheets and lines can wrap around limbs and other appendages, such as a finger, which results in a complete or partial loss. In some cases, these injuries can be treated but that is not always the case. In the worst of cases, surgical amputations are necessary because the appendage cannot be repaired.

Our Boat Crash Lawyer in Florida Can Help After an Injury 

No matter the type of injury you have sustained, it is important to obtain sound legal advice afterward. At 888-BOAT-LAW, our Florida boat crash lawyer can advise on the facts of your case, identify the party liable for paying compensation, and help you claim the full and fair settlement you deserve. Call us at The Law Offices of Frank D. Butler or chat with us online to obtain the immediate help you need.

Source:

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0768/0768.html