Woman Injured in Maryland Boating Accident

A 22 year old West Virginia woman was recently injured in a boating accident when she fell off a rented pontoon during an excursion on the Assawoman Bay in Maryland. According to local news outlets, Alexa Delatorre survived the fall, but had to visit Salisbury Hospital for cuts on her back, legs, and right foot caused by repeated strikes from the boat’s propeller.

According to witnesses of the incident, Delatorre lost her footing while she was dancing on the boat and fell over a railing and between the pontoons. Another of the women aboard the boat jumped into the water to help Delatorre to safety.

The police reported the operator of the boat was not intoxicated and passed a field sobriety test. So far, no charges have been filed in the incident.

Boating Accidents Result in Harm to Thousands

Though Delatorre was lucky and received only minimal injuries from her fall, every year numerous people are injured in boating accidents. These numbers rise during the warmer months when boating excursions are possible in more northern climates. Unfortunately, many of the injuries people experience when they fall from boats are serious and result in paralysis – some are even fatal.

For years, we’ve been representing victims of boating accidents. All too often these accidents are caused when passengers or operators of the boats are intoxicated. They act in careless ways and the results are devastating.

Boating recreation is often looked at as nothing more than fun and games. People take to lakes, rivers, and other waterways after drinking alcohol or using recreational drugs with no concern for their own safety or the safety of others. And despite law enforcement making an effort to crack down on drunk and/or drugged boating, people are still taking serious safety risks while boating.

The fact is boating while intoxicated should be treated with the same severity as driving a vehicle on the nation’s roadways after drinking or using drugs. The practice is just as dangerous and the risks are just as high.

Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Boating Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a boating accident – especially a boating accident that resulted from another party acting negligently – we can help. It’s essential you speak to an attorney as soon as possible, just as you would after involvement in a car or truck accident.

Even if you were the victim in an accident, you can be held accountable. An attorney will protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. People involved in boating accidents often fail to appreciate how the complexities of admiralty and maritime law could interfere with their right to fair compensation.

In some cases, the responsible parties take swift legal action in an effort to prevent victims from receiving the compensation they deserve. This was the case for Richard and Dorthy Stanley who lost their son in a boating accident. Heavens Law helped the Stanleys reach a substantial six figure confidential settlement with the parties involved, which was well in excess of the limitation of liability figure.

If you would like more information or you need to speak to someone about a boating accident that involved you or a loved one, contact Heavens Law at 888.897.5377.