Paddleboarding has grown in popularity in recent years, and there are plenty of great locations to paddleboard in and around Tampa, including Fort De Soto Park, Weedon Island Preserve, Little Manatee River State Park, and more.
Unfortunately, accidents can happen while paddleboarding that result in serious and sometimes fatal injuries. When this occurs, victims of the incident should turn to Diaco Law. Our injury lawyers in Tampa help paddleboarders and others injured on Tampa’s waterways and we have decades of experience fighting for those who have been hurt or who have lost loved ones.
To find out more about how we can help you, contact a Tampa paddleboarding accident attorney today.
Who is Responsible for a Tampa Paddleboarding Accident?
Paddleboarding accidents often occur because of the negligence of boaters or other vessel operators or because of paddleboarding tour operators or excursion companies that fail to exercise reasonable care. Equipment defects can also cause harm to boarders. Those injured in similar water recreation incidents may also have claims related to parasailing accidents or snorkeling and scuba diving accidents.
If a person or company’s negligence is the cause of your paddleboarding accident, you can pursue a claim to recover compensation for losses. Some potential defendants who could be held liable include:
- Other vessel operators: If boaters, Jet Ski riders, or others on the waterways fail to exercise reasonable care and they crash into boarders, or they speed or ignore no-wake zones and create dangerous conditions, they can be held responsible for the resulting damage.
- Paddleboard rental companies: If rental companies provide defective equipment or don’t provide appropriate safety gear, the company can be held responsible for any injuries that result from their negligence.
- Paddleboard tour operators: When operators run excursions, they must exercise reasonable caution to keep participants safe. This means making sure that boarders have well-maintained and safe equipment, and personal flotation devices or other safety equipment. They must also provide adequate supervision and ensure they don’t send boarders out in unsafe weather or unsafe water conditions.
- Equipment manufacturers: When equipment fails in a way that causes harm, such as paddles breaking or life vests malfunctioning, the manufacturer of the defective equipment could be held responsible for damages that occur because of it.
- Marina or dock owners: If dangerous conditions on docks or marinas, such as poor lighting or slip hazards, contribute to the paddleboarding accident or make rescue unsafe or impossible, the owners of the unsafe properties could be liable for losses.
Diaco Law will help you to identify all defendants who may be to blame for your losses. We can also work with you to determine if you can still pursue a claim even if you signed a liability waiver. Often, these waivers don’t prevent you from taking action when negligence or wrongdoing was involved.
What can a Tampa Paddleboarding Accident Lawyer do for you?
A Tampa paddleboarding accident lawyer at Diaco Law will be there for you from day one to help ensure you build a strong claim and get the compensation you deserve. Our team will:
- Help you identify all defendants who could be liable for your losses
- Gather evidence, including witness testimony, equipment maintenance records, evidence from the scene of the accident, and expert testimony
- Negotiate with insurers to try to resolve your claim without court proceedings
- Represent you in trial, bringing decades of courtroom experience to your case.
We are committed to providing compassionate advocacy with a focus on getting you the money you deserve.
Contact Diaco Law Today
Diaco Law is here and ready to help after your paddleboarding accident. Give us a call or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation to learn more.