After a piling caused a boat accident that left a man injured, he is suing a half dozen oil and gas companies because he claims their negligence led to the wreck. According to The Louisiana Record, in June 2014, the man had taken his skiff out fishing near Four Island Dome, Louisiana when it was involved in a collision with an unmarked piling. The piling is the property of the oil and gas companies named as defendants in the man’s lawsuit, including:
- Louisiana Land and Exploration Co. LLC
- Burlington Resources Oil and Gas Co.
- ExxonMobil Oil Corp.
- ExxonMobil Pipeline Co.
- ExxonMobil Production Co.
- ConocoPhillips Co.
In his lawsuit, the man claims he sustained injuries to his back, neck and head in the crash and that his boat was heavily damaged as well. The suit alleges that the collision was the result of the defendants failing to:
- Inspect the piling
- Mark the piling to prevent wrecks
- Remove the broken piling
The man is seeking $1.7 million for his physical injuries, the damage to his skiff and his mental suffering.
How Can Maritime Attorneys Help Victims Following Boating Accidents?
Our nationwide maritime attorneys have decades of experience helping boating accident victims and their families. We have an extensive knowledge of maritime law and can advise people of their legal rights and best options in the wake of a maritime accident or injury. In many cases, boat accident victims are not aware of their rights and options following an accident on the water. Maritime law is complicated, and it can be easy for someone who does not deal with it on a daily basis to fail to take full advantage of the compensation maritime law affords victims due to their injuries.
In the video above, maritime attorney David Anderson explains whether it is a good idea for victims or their families to accept an insurance company’s advance following a boating accident.