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Beach Accidents - Who can be held responsible?

Beach accidents are not uncommon this time of year, especially in coastal areas and the good weather. You and your family may go to the beach quite often, and there may be numerous risks present that you do not pay attention to. If you or anyone in your family is injured while staying at the beach, you could take legal action against the responsible party. You should not be expected to pay these damages if you were not at fault. 

What kind of injuries can I suffer at the beach?

Many beaches are large and expansive enough that there are blind spots and areas that are not properly maintained. There should always be ample security and lifeguards present, and if you are injured, you may be able to hold the city or private property owner accountable. Some of the damages you can suffer include:

  • Broken bones
  • Fractures
  • Puncture wounds
  • Lacerations
  • Sprains
  • Concussions
  • Drowning
  • Knee injuries
  • Torn muscles
  • Nerve damage
  • Neck and spinal cord damage
  • Coma
  • Paralysis
  • Death

There are many ways that these injuries can happen. They may occur in the following manners:

  • Lack of lifeguards to dive in the water and save you or bring you to shore
  • Lack of gates or fences near dangerous areas
  • Lack of blocked-off areas, hazard signs, or other warnings
  • Cloudy water that does not reveal dangers below or proper depth
  • Debris on the beach and in the water, often as trash or detritus from vendors, ships, private property owners, beachgoers, and more
  • Slip and fall accidents happening on the property of vendors at the beach, like renters and food and drink sellers
  • Potholes in parking lots at beaches contributing to trip and falls
  • Surfers, individuals on jet skis, boaters, individuals on wakeboards, individuals para-sailing, and other people in the water not paying close attention to the surrounding area and other people
  • Environmental conditions and boating accidents that lead to toxic chemicals in the water, leading to skin problems, illnesses, diseases, allergic reactions, and more.

If you were injured at the beach because of any of the aforementioned reasons, you should take proper legal action against the responsible party. We will do everything we can to ensure that you are fairly paid for your damages.

Who can be held responsible for a beach accident?

Beaches are public places, and you can hold the city accountable if it did not properly maintain the beach and ensure that it had no dangers or hazards. If there were problems that were reported but never fixed, there could be ample evidence that the city is to blame. Further, there could be private property owners at or near the beach who could be held responsible. They may run stalls, shops, and more, or they may even have property that is beach-front. The premises that you are on must be safe and not present any dangers for those on it. You can sue if the property owner:

  • Caused the hazard to appear
  • Knew about the issue but did nothing to fix it
  • Did not know about the issue but reasonably should have been aware

It can be difficult to prove that the property owner was negligent in any of these ways if you do not have a solicitor on your side. Premises liability cases are not simple, and you should defer to a skilled, experienced solicitor for your claim.

How do I file a lawsuit for a beach injury?

If you were injured at the beach, you should take the following steps: Firstly, you should go to the hospital to get treatment. You should not wait too long to get checked out; a delay between the incident and the treatment can be a red flag for the insurance agency. You should keep all medical notes, doctor’s notes, hospital receipts, and statements showing you received treatment.

Next, you should take as many photos as you can of your injuries, the scene of the incident at the beach, any defects or hazards, and more. These photos and, and even videos, will come in handy and show the extent of the dangers.

You can interview eyewitnesses and bystanders who saw the accident happen or who can attest that there is a danger present at the beach. These testimonies will help buffer your case. You should also take down any relevant information from private property owners or find a lifeguard who was responsible. All of these contact details will help you reach the correct insurance agency to file your claim.

Lastly, it is important that you call a solicitor who has experience in beach accident lawsuits. We will gladly organise your evidence for you and submit it to the proper party. We will negotiate a fair deal, argue in your favour, and work to bring you the justice you deserve. You can spend your time recovering and returning to a normal life.

What can I win from a beach accident lawsuit?

Victims of beach accidents can receive fair compensation for their injuries and damages. We can ensure that you are adequately paid if you were hurt; you should not be expected to cover these debts and bills by yourself. The party that contributed to the accident in some way should bear the burden of the damages. Our team will help you recover the following losses:

  • Medical expenses from the past and future for your injuries, including surgery, hospitalisation, physical therapy, medication, and more
  • Lost income from the past and future if you could not return to work for a period of time
  • Property damage if any of your personal belongings were lost or broken in the incident
  • Pain and suffering damages to cover mental anguish, PTSD, anxiety, fear, and more speak with a representative now

For more information or a consultation regarding your claim then please contact one of our team today at personalinjuriessolicitordublin.

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