Six Abandon Ship Due to Fire in Intracoastal Waterway Near Fort Lauderdale

347284_burning_boat%20sxchu.jpgRecently, a 30-foot boat caught fire and overturned in the Intracoastal Waterway near Fort Lauderdale. All six passengers, including three adults and three children aged 10, 12, and 14, abandoned ship as a result of the flames. A spokesperson for Fort Lauderdale Fire and Rescue, Matt Little, stated all of the passengers were able to swim to shore where they were pulled from the water by onlookers and emergency crews. Little also said no one was injured in the incident.

According to witness Linda Nair, smoke from the fire rose about 100 feet into the air and could be seen for miles. She said she was impressed by how quickly area firefighters extinguished the flames. It took firefighters approximately 15 minutes to put the blaze out. The cause of the flames is currently under investigation. The owner of the boat was not onboard at the time of the incident.

Luckily, no one was severely injured or killed in this particular accident. Still, a great many Florida deaths are the result of tragic and avoidable boating accidents. With so many great boating spots in South Florida, boaters often spend a great deal of time on the water. Because boating is such a popular form of recreation, it is vital for boaters of all ages to follow safety guidelines and rules. Boat operators have a responsibility to protect not only themselves and their vessel, but also their passengers. Losing someone you love in an unexpected watercraft accident can be devastating. It is often made even worse when your loss was preventable.

If you have lost a family member in a Florida boating accident, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party at fault. Generally, you may sue for wrongful death following a deadly accident that resulted from someone else’s act of negligence, recklessness, or carelessness. In the State of Florida, relatives have up to two years to file a wrongful death claim unless your claim is against a Cruise Ship in which case you may be limited to filing a lawsuit within one year based on the passenger ticket. If you have lost a family member due to another person’s negligence, you should contact a capable South Florida personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.

If you were hurt in a watercraft or boating accident, contact Lazarus & Lazarus, P.A. to consult with an experienced Palm Beach County boating accident attorney. We are available to answer your questions and ensure that your rights are protected. Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers will assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve based on your injuries. The law firm of Lazarus & Lazarus represents clients throughout Florida including Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Orlando, Hollywood, Dade County, Palm Beach County, and Broward County. To schedule your free initial consultation, contact Lazarus & Lazarus through our website or call us at (954) 356-0006 today.

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Florida Couple Aboard Costa Concordia During Crash Off Italian Coast, Florida Personal Injury Attorney Blog, January 29, 2012
Pinellas County Jury Awards Record $200 Million Verdict Over Nursing Home Death, Florida Personal Injury Attorney Blog, January 17, 2012
Additional Resources:

Six survive boat fire in Intracoastal Waterway, by Wayne K. Roustan, Sun Sentinel