Naples Boat Injury Lawyer

Florida Maritime Injury Lawyer Providing Help After Maritime Injuries

Boating and shipping accidents are quite common in Florida. If an injury or accident occurs on a boat, either on or off-shore, turn to me, personal injury attorney Justin Caldarone of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. I will fight to help you collect compensation by filing a maritime injury claim on your behalf. A skilled Naples boat injury lawyer can be a tremendous asset, no matter what your case entails, and you should reach out to legal counsel right away.

If you are a seaman currently in the service of a ship and you were injured during the performance of your duties, you may be entitled to receive compensation for food, lodging, medical care and lost wages. These are covered under the Jones Act. If you were a passenger of a ship or boat and were injured, you may be able to hold the boat owner liable. By working with a maritime lawyer like me, you have the chance to file a claim to receive financial compensation for your losses.

At The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., I serve clients in Naples and throughout Florida who have been injured in a shipping or boating accident. Contact The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., today for a free consultation.

Boating Accidents in Florida

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida had the highest recorded number of boat accidents in the United States during 2023, with 619 total incidents involving recreational boats. That same year, Florida also ranked highest with the total number of registered recreational boats in the country, with more than 922,000 watercraft registered. There were 685 total accidents reported in 2024, an increase from 659 in 2023.

If you were hurt while riding in a boat, the boat operator may be liable for the resulting damages. Filing a personal injury case requires identifying the party responsible for causing your injury, proving how they caused it, and then showing the full extent of the resulting damages. You need to have an experienced Naples boat injury lawyer on your side to maximize your chance of success with this type of case.

Boating accidents most often occur because of negligence, such as distraction or inexperience in handling the boat. However, accidents can also occur because of illegal misconduct, like intoxicated driving. Your Naples boat accident lawyer can determine the cause of your accident and explain how the defendant’s actions could influence your recovery options. You have limited time to file your case, so it’s important to get started right away.

United States Admiralty And Maritime Law

The Grimaldi Group, Manisa Bulk, and many other maritime organizations operate out of the Naples area, employing many people who spend a great deal of time working at sea. The United States admiralty and maritime laws govern navigation and shipping, including commercial and recreational vessels. These laws include state and federal regulations and provisions regarding commerce, seamen, piracy, docks, piers, insurance, canals and more.

I have a broad understanding of these laws as well as the Jones Act, which covers seaman in particular. Regardless of your injuries or what caused them, by consulting a lawyer, you have the chance to understand what you are up against and what can be done to help ensure you receive just compensation for your injuries.

I handle a broad range of recreational and commercial boating and shipping claims, including injuries and deaths resulting from the following:

• Piloting error
• Mechanical failure
• Accidents (slip and fall)
• Hazardous and unsafe conditions

When a boat owner’s negligence leads to an injury or death, legal action can be taken on your behalf to help you or your family obtain just financial compensation for medical care, lost wages and emotional pain and suffering.

Maritime Industry Hazards

Maritime work brings together professionals in challenging environments where the Jones Act protects workers across many settings, including:

• Dock workers managing heavy cargo and equipment
• Oil rig personnel working with dangerous materials
• Commercial fishermen in harsh weather
• Tugboat operators coordinating vessel movements
• Loading crews with automated machinery
• Ship maintenance teams in confined spaces
• Crane operators managing cargo

These hazards require proper safety measures and quick responses when accidents happen. Your attorney can help you determine the cause of a recent accident while working in any maritime operation and assess which maritime laws apply to your case. You could have grounds to pursue multiple avenues of recovery, but it will be crucial to start building your case right away.

Common Maritime Injuries And Their Impact

The physical demands of maritime work often lead to severe injuries when combined with unstable surfaces and heavy equipment. Common injuries include:

• Head and brain trauma from falling objects
• Back and spinal cord damage from heavy lifting
• Catastrophic injuries causing permanent disability
• Workplace injuries from repetitive motions
• Crush injuries from equipment or cargo
• Burns from fires or chemical exposure
• Wrongful death from drowning or fatal accidents

Many maritime workers face long-term medical needs and lost earning potential after these injuries. There are several laws in place, such as the Jones Act, which exist to provide legal recourse and financial protection to injured workers, but it can be difficult for the average person to understand their rights under these laws. A skilled Naples boat injury lawyer can be a valuable asset in this situation, who can help you understand your rights.

If you are eligible to file any type of civil claim for damages, it is possible to claim compensation for both immediate and future economic damages resulting from the defendant’s actions. For example, you may have grounds to seek compensation for medical expenses and lost income, but you may also be eligible to claim compensation for future medical treatment costs and your lost future earning potential if the accident caused any kind of permanent disability.

What to Expect From Your Naples Boat Injury Lawyer

When you choose The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., to represent you, our team will immediately begin gathering the evidence needed to determine the true cause of your accident and identify the party or parties liable for your damages. Our team has years of experience handling all types of complex maritime accident cases, and we are confident we can build a strong foundation for your case efficiently.

Whether you have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim, a Jones Act claim, or a personal injury claim, trust our firm to fight for you for maximum compensation. You may have grounds to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages, and our firm can uncover every available avenue of recovery. If any unexpected complications arise, we will be ready to resolve them for you.

If you must file any type of insurance claim after your accident, dealing with an insurance carrier will be much easier with a skilled attorney on your side. Most insurance carriers will try to settle for as little as possible, looking for ways to justify devaluing or denying a claim. When they see that you have legal representation, they will be more likely to handle your case in good faith and deliver a fair settlement offer.

If you must file any type of civil claim for damages, trust the team at The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., to provide comprehensive support through every stage of your case. Trust us to gather the evidence needed to establish liability for your damages. We will also accurately calculate your total economic damages and determine the maximum amount of pain and suffering compensation you are eligible to claim from the defendant.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maritime Injuries

Understanding your rights under maritime law can be complex. Here are some common questions we receive:

Does a maritime accident have to happen on a boat?

No, maritime law covers various locations, including docks, oil rigs and other maritime facilities. If your work is substantially connected to maritime activities, you may be covered regardless of where the accident occurred. An experienced Naples boat injury lawyer can review the details of your accident and determine the full scope of your legal options for recovering compensation.

Do I have a maritime claim or a workers’ compensation claim?

Maritime workers typically have rights beyond standard workers’ compensation. Under the Jones Act and other maritime laws, you may be entitled to additional compensation, including maintenance and cure benefits.

When does a boating accident qualify for a Jones Act claim?

To qualify for a Jones Act claim, you must be considered a “seaman” who spends at least 30% of your work time contributing to the function of a vessel in navigation. The accident must also occur while in service of the vessel.

Do I need to prove fault for a maritime accident?

You will not need to prove fault for a maritime accident in order to collect compensation for maintenance and cure, as these benefits are usually provided on a no-fault basis. However, for a Jones Act claim or a maritime accident case involving unseaworthiness, proving fault may be necessary to secure compensation for your damages.

How much compensation can I claim for a boat accident in Naples?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a boat accident in Naples largely depends on the severity of the injuries you suffered. If another party is directly responsible, it is possible for you to claim compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and your pain and suffering. You have limited time to file this personal injury case, so it’s important to hire a boat injury lawyer as quickly as you can.

What does it cost to hire a Naples boat injury lawyer?

The cost to hire a Naples boat injury lawyer depends on the attorney’s billing policy. At The Caldarone Law Group, P.A., our team accepts personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee agreement, the client pays no upfront fees; instead, we charge a percentage of the total compensation we recover for them, and only if we win their case. If we are unable to obtain compensation for you for any reason, there is no fee.

Get Your Maritime Injury Claim Started Today

The aftermath of a boat accident or maritime work injury can be traumatic and confusing. The first steps you take in this situation can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation for your damages. Did you or a loved one suffer an injury at sea? You have legal rights. Learn more about those rights by contacting me, Florida lawyer Justin Caldarone, today for a free consultation: 239-537-0439.