Have You Been Injured In A Boating Accident?
Whenever you have been injured in a boating accident, you can receive punitive damages from the party who is responsible. The purpose of these awards is to deter people from engaging in reckless behavior in the future. These awards can also help victims and their families recover financially. A good boating accident attorney can help you get the maximum amount of compensation.
To be awarded punitive damages, a court must find that the defendant's actions were "willful, egregious, or reckless." In order to prove this, the plaintiff must provide clear and convincing evidence. Normally, punitive damages cannot exceed ten times the value of compensatory damages. However, they may be based on the defendant's net worth. In some cases, a defendant's wealth will determine the total amount of punitive damages that are awarded.
These damages include both economic and non-economic losses. They include loss of enjoyment of life, impairment, pain and suffering, and humiliation. The dollar value of these damages can be assigned to specific events or individuals. Some examples of non-economic damages are mental distress, pain and suffering, inconvenience, and loss of use of property. The value of these damages can be calculated by subtracting the money that the person lost from the amount of money that the victim would have earned if the incident did not occur.
Punitive damages for recklessness are usually awarded in a boating accident when the operator of the vessel caused the injury by causing the boat to enter a wave at high speeds. The operator failed to observe safety regulations and failed to provide reasonable safety to passengers. In some cases, this can be the reason for the victim's injury or death.
During the investigation, a lawyer will interview witnesses and doctors to understand the details of the accident. In addition, the lawyer will organize the case file. The case file must contain all of the necessary proof to support the claim. The attorney can then negotiate a more just settlement.
If you have been involved in a boating accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney right away. The longer the injured party waits to seek treatment, the higher the risk of serious injury. It is also important to report the accident to the appropriate law enforcement.
