Trapp & Geller
We Win. We Guide. We Produce.

Boating Accidents

The Lawyers You Need & Deserve

Birth Injury
$12.0 Million
A mother was given excessive Pitocin during labor which caused brain damage to her newborn child. Shortly after filing the lawsuit, the hospital and doctor offered $12 million to settle the case. This money will be used to take care of the child and give her as full a life as possible under the circumstances.
Birth Injury
$10.0 Million
A routine ultrasound taken just prior to her due date showed that the twins were in fetal distress and emergency procedures needed to be undertaken. The radiologist misread the ultrasound noting it was normal. One of the infants was stillborn at birth and the other infant suffered profound brain damage until the time of his death at the age of 7. The hospital and doctor settled the case for $10 million.
Injured Worker
$8.3 Million
Carpenter was installing panels at a local job site and fell from a hydraulic lift resulting in serious injuries.
Emergency Room Error
$8.0 Million
A woman was mistakenly given a death penalty drug when she was admitted to a hospital with a stomach ache. The drug, which is a paralytic agent, caused the woman to stop breathing. She went into cardiac arrest and although she was rescued by the emergency room doctor, she suffered brain damage.
Collision
$7.0 Million
A young girl was injured in a collision when her mother had to swerve in order to avoid a Pace Van. The mother of an 18-month-old who sustained a lacerated liver after a medical-transportation van allegedly cut off the mother’s minivan and caused it to crash has settled her lawsuit for $7 million.
Fall at Work
$3.75 Million
An apprentice plumber fell through the floor of Trump Tower landing on the concrete below. He sustained injuries to his back, shoulder, and ankle. He was able to return to work following the accident.
Auto Accident
$3.5 Million
Settlement obtained for a 52-year old woman who suffered a broken leg after a car accident. According to the radiologist at the hospital, he reported a blood clot that was in danger of moving to her lungs, but her reporting doctors claimed they never received the report.
Head Injury
$3.5 Million
In 2012, Trapp & Geller settled a case against the general contractor and others in the amount of $3.5 million for negligence in allowing a support beam to fall, striking a laborer's head. The laborer suffered herniated discs in the neck.
Wrongful Death
$2.5 Million
A truck driver was standing on a roadway waiting for assistance after his truck broke down. A passing truck struck him resulting in his death.
Rear-End Collision
$2.3 Million
A 26- year old woman, while waiting in the drive-through line at a fast-food restaurant, was struck from behind injuring her shoulder. The injury developed into a rare nerve disorder called reflex sympathetic dystrophy or complex regional pain syndrome.

Chicago Boating Accident Attorneys

Representing Victims of Watercraft Injuries

In the aftermath of a boating accident, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for damages such as boat destruction, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Unlike auto accidents, there are no skid marks or traffic control devices, and there may not be witnesses outside of the two boats involved.

At Trapp & Geller, our lawyers have extensive experience holding negligent parties and their insurance companies accountable for injuries suffered in accidents involving all types of watercrafts, including boats and personal watercrafts (PWC).

Causes of Boat Accidents

Boating accidents often involve issues such as speed, alcohol, and inexperienced drivers. The sooner you contact us after an accident, the sooner our attorneys can collect and preserve evidence of liability.

Here are just a few examples of boating accidents that may involve some form of negligence:

  • A collision between two boats
  • A BUI (boating under the influence) accident
  • A slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall accident
  • A boat striking a water skier or Jet Ski
  • A boat striking a fixed object or submerged object
  • An accident caused by a boat’s wake
  • Drowning caused by lack of life vests or safety equipment
  • An injury caused by a boat defect

Who Is Liable in Boat Accidents?

Because the causes of boating accidents vary so widely, there are multiple parties who may be liable for your injuries. The people who operated the watercrafts involved in an accident are often at fault, but in more complex cases, additional people (or companies) could be responsible for accident-related damages.

In your case, liability may fall on:

  • Boat drivers and crews: Boating accidents are often caused by the negligence of boat operators or the people who are responsible for maintaining a watercraft, monitoring passenger safety, and other tasks.
  • A boating company: If the boat that your accident occurred on was part of a larger fleet or owned by a tourism or transportation company, the owners could be liable for your injuries.
  • Manufacturers: When accidents occur as a result of defective watercraft or safety equipment, the manufacturers may be required to pay you compensation.
  • Property owners: A boat accident can be caused by the negligence of people who own dangerous docks, marinas, and other properties.
  • Government entities or safety groups: Your injuries may have been caused or worsened by the failure of local agencies to enforce safety regulations.

No two boat accident cases are alike, and the list above is only a sample of people who may be at fault for your accident. The best way to understand liability in your unique situation is to contact us and discuss the details of your case with a legal professional.

Proving Negligence in a Boating Accident Case

In boat accident cases, witness testimony is an important tool for establishing events and liability. If available, photographs, videos, boat logs, and evidence of property damages can be helpful as well. Your claim can also be substantiated by the inclusion of medical records and financial documents related to your injuries and other damages. An expert witness, such as a doctor, can also provide significant details and insight into a case.

Contact Us Today to Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

No matter how you were injured, we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions. In some cases, more than one party may have been negligent. As long as you were less than 50% responsible for your injury, you are entitled to seek compensation.

If you or a loved one were injured in a boating accident, call (312) 368-1444 or contact us online. The consultation is free, and you are under no obligations.

Why Choose Trapp & Geller?

We Win. We Guide. We Produce.
More than 25 Years of Experience

Trapp & Geller has a passion for protecting the rights of the injured. We have the skill, experience, and knowledge to provide you with the highest legal advocacy. We will not rest until you get the compensation you deserve.

Customized Legal Strategies

Each of our attorneys is in it to win your case as much of you are and take pride in getting the best possible result. With that, your dedicated attorney is always available and will even text you regarding your goals and case.

Responsive & Informative

Our attorneys work with you one-on-one and make sure that, at every step of the process, you are fully aware of your case. We are fighting for your rights and always make sure that we are doing what is best for you.

Over $400 Million Recovered

The attorneys at Trapp & Geller have the experience and knowledge to not only win, but to win BIG. When you entrust our team with your case, you can rest assured that we will fight for the maximum amount of compensation.

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