Florida Personal Injury Attorney Blog

Last weekend, two fatal boating accidents took place on Lake Dora during the Tavares community’s annual Spring Thunder Regatta. On Saturday, 53-year-old Mark Van Winkle of Stuart was killed when he was thrown from his vessel and struck in the water by another boat. On Sunday, 64-year-old Charles Woodruff of Jensen Beach and 73-year-old Dea Wiseley of Sun City Center died after they were involved in a high-speed crash. Woodruff was a former raceboat champion and Wiseley was also well known in the raceboat show circuit.

The deaths were the first in the regatta’s six-year history. The annual event, sponsored by the Classic Race Boat Association, marks the Tavares community’s annual kick-off to the boating season and showcases vintage racing boats traveling at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour. Drivers are not on the water to race their boats, however. Each year, the regatta generally draws about 10,000 spectators.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Woodruff’s boat ran over Wiseley’s boat on Sunday and both men were killed after being thrown into the water. On Saturday, an occupant riding in Van Winkle’s boat was also ejected but she was safely rescued. The cause of both fatal accidents is still under investigation. Despite the perfect weather on Sunday, the weekend boating tragedies reportedly cast a pall over the community.

Each year, many deaths in Florida are the result of a tragic and unnecessary accident. Losing a loved one unexpectedly can be devastating, but it can be particularly distressing when your loss is the result of another person’s negligence. If you lost a family member due to someone else's negligent actions, you have may the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Generally, a deadly accident which results from an act of negligence, recklessness, or carelessness will give rise to a wrongful death claim. In Florida, family members of someone killed in an accident normally have up to two years to sue for wrongful death. Clearly, no amount of compensation can make up for the loss of your loved one, but filing a wrongful death claim may allow you to hold the liable party accountable for their actions. If you have lost a family member due to someone else’s actions, it is a good idea to contact a qualified personal injury attorney to discuss your options.

Continue reading "Two Separate High-Speed Boating Accidents Kill Three in Tavares During Spring Thunder Regatta" »

The family of a Sarasota offshore speedboat racer killed during the Super Boat International World Championships in Key West last November is poised to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Super Boat International Productions, Inc. 59-year-old Joey Gratton purportedly drowned after his boat flipped over twice during a Key West race. His family claims Gratton survived the crash, but drowned due to a poor emergency response on the part of race organizers. Gratton’s death followed closely behind that of two Missouri men killed two days earlier when their boat crashed on the first day of racing.

Gratton was an experienced speedboat racer who, together with a close friend, won three world championships and eight national championships over the course of several years. According to reports, Gratton was not severely injured in the crash, but was instead alive, conscious, and fighting for several minutes to extricate himself from restraints. He is alleged to have drowned while waiting to be assisted by rescue boats. Instead of deploying immediately, rescue divers on an emergency helicopter were purportedly told by race organizers to act as second responders. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner has stated Gratton’s official cause of death was drowning.

According to the Gratton’s attorney, the family will file a wrongful death lawsuit alleging gross negligence in Super Boat International’s safety and rescue response. He has stated race day rescue boat staff was not competently or adequately trained to act as first responders. He also claims divers were improperly told to allow rescue boats to act first, which wasted valuable response time. The family’s attorney claims Gratton would be alive today but for the company’s negligence. Gratton’s family has stated their overall goal in filing a lawsuit is to change Super Boat International’s emergency response measures to ensure the safety of other speedboat racers.

Many deaths in Florida each year are the result of tragic and unnecessary accidents. The unexpected loss of a loved one can be devastating, but it can be particularly upsetting when your loss is the result of another person’s negligence. When someone you love has been killed as a result of someone else’s actions, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party at fault. Generally, a fatal accident which is the result of an act of negligence, carelessness, or recklessness will give rise to a wrongful death claim. In Florida, family members have up to two years to sue for wrongful death. If you have lost a family member due to a third party’s negligence, an experienced personal injury lawyer can answer your questions and help you file a wrongful death claim.

Continue reading "Family of Sarasota Man Poised to File Suit Over Key West Speedboat Death" »

The 4th of July weekend is one of the highlights of the summer: barbecues, the beach and friends and family. It’s also one of the biggest weekends for boating. With so many great spots and sandbars in South Florida, boaters and their friends will be spending most of their time on the water. That means more traffic, more drinking and a greater chance of a boating accident.

Boaters have a lot of responsibilities when it comes to boating accidents: not only to themselves and to their vessel, but also to their passengers. According to a report by the US Coast Guard, there were 4,064 recreational boating accidents last year, resulting in 672 deaths, 3,153 injuries and $35.5 million in property damage. Alcohol use was the leading cause of deaths from a boating accident.

With this in mind, it’s important that passengers know how to enjoy their voyage safely. Here are a few tips for passengers to follow to help prevent boating accidents this weekend:

• Pay attention to any safety instructions that the driver/operator provides
• Wear a life preserver and make sure that your children wear one as well
• Avoid excessive drinking while at sea
• Follow any posted precautionary rules and speed limits
• Take added precautions when boating at night
• Do not operate a boat if you have been drinking and/or if you don’t have prior experience
• Avoid heavy traffic areas and spots known for heavy partying/drinking
• If you have been involved in a boating accident, seek medical attention immediately

We hope that you enjoy a safe and fun-filled 4th of July weekend.

Sean Kingston, the 21-year-old hip hop star, is currently in critical condition after a watercraft accident on Memorial Day in South Florida. Several artists, including Justin Beiber and Nicki Minaj, have posted their thoughts and prayers via Twitter.

Kingston, according to Yahoo and MTV, was traveling on his jet ski with a female passenger when the two were injured after crashing into the Palm Island Bridge in Miami.

Watch the video on the accident from The Showbiz 411 , posted on YouTube:

A passing boater saw the accident and took Kingston and the female on his boat. So far, the investigation does not show any signs that alcohol was involved. The two were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Boating is a popular recreational activity in South Florida. It’s important that boaters of all ages follow all the rules and guidelines to keep themselves and their passengers safe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this boating accident. If you have been injured in a watercraft or boating accident, call our offices and consult with one of our attorneys to ensure that your rights are protected.