Injured during a yacht accident in Long Beach, CA? Contact the top Long Beach yacht accident lawyer to seek compensation and justice.
A yacht accident can leave you facing overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about your legal options. Whether you were injured during a charter excursion, while working as crew, or as a guest aboard a private vessel in Long Beach waters, you have rights under maritime law that extend far beyond typical accident claims.
Long Beach’s harbors and waterways are frequented by yachts traveling between marina berths, the outer breakwater, and destinations such as Catalina Island.
When accidents happen in these waters, you need representation that understands both the local maritime environment and the federal laws that govern these cases.
Our firm has handled yacht injury claims throughout Southern California’s ports, securing compensation for passengers and crew injured by negligent operations, dangerous vessel conditions, and preventable accidents.
The maritime legal system works differently from state courts, with its own procedures, deadlines, and remedies. We know which laws apply to your specific situation and how to build the strongest possible case for maximum compensation.
Why Hire a Long Beach Yacht Accident Lawyer?
Yacht accidents involve complex maritime laws that differ entirely from regular personal injury cases.
You need an attorney who understands the unique dangers of Long Beach waters, from Alamitos Bay’s crowded marinas to the shipping traffic outside the port.
Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurers represent yacht owners and aggressively defend your claim.
These companies have teams of experienced lawyers whose job is to pay you as little as possible. Maritime cases also have strict deadlines that can be much shorter than regular injury claims.
Our firm knows how to navigate these challenges while you focus on recovery. We handle all communications with insurance companies and ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time.
What Is a Yacht Accident?
A yacht accident is any incident on a recreational vessel that causes injury to passengers or crew. This includes private yachts, charter boats, and mega-yachts operating in Long Beach Harbor or the open ocean.
These accidents can occur during routine activities such as anchoring, docking, or crossing to Catalina Island. Common causes include equipment failures, crew negligence, collisions with other vessels, or dangerous weather conditions that the captain should have avoided.
What Yacht Accidents and Injuries Do You Handle?
We represent clients injured in all types of yachting incidents. Our experience covers everything from simple slip-and-fall cases to complex maritime disasters involving multiple vessels.
Collisions and Allisions
A collision happens when two moving vessels strike each other. An allision occurs when a yacht hits a fixed object, such as a dock, jetty, or breakwater. These accidents often result from poor visibility, excessive speed, or failure to follow navigation rules.
Tender and Dinghy Transfers
Moving between the main yacht and shore using smaller boats creates serious risks. Unstable transfers, rough seas, or inexperienced tender operators can cause passengers to fall into the water or be injured during boarding.
Boom, Winch, and Windlass Injuries
Sailing equipment operates under tremendous force and can cause devastating injuries. A swinging boom can knock someone overboard or cause head trauma. Winches and windlasses can catch clothing or body parts, leading to amputations or crush injuries.
Wake and Wash Incidents
Large powerboats create wakes that can toss smaller yachts unexpectedly. Commercial ships produce even more dangerous wash that can reach yachts miles away. These sudden movements often throw passengers against hard surfaces or overboard.
Propeller Strikes and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Propeller strikes typically occur near swim platforms when someone is in the water. These injuries are often fatal or result in severe amputations. Carbon monoxide from engine exhaust can also be deadly, especially in enclosed areas or when wind conditions trap fumes.
Falls Overboard and Drowning
Man-overboard situations can become life-threatening emergencies within minutes. If the crew fails to follow proper rescue procedures or lacks safety equipment, a simple fall can become fatal.
These are among the most common types of maritime injuries we see in yacht accident cases. We also handle cases involving:
- Grounding accidents on sandbars or rocks.
- Swim platform injuries from slippery surfaces.
- Ladder and stairway falls.
- Fires and explosions from fuel or electrical systems.
- Anchoring accidents that injure crew or damage other vessels.
Who Is Liable for a Yacht Accident?
Determining fault requires investigating all parties involved in your accident. Multiple people or companies may share responsibility for your injuries.
Yacht Owner/Operator:
Owners must maintain their vessels properly and operate them safely. They can be liable for hiring unqualified crew, failing to fix known problems, or operating while intoxicated.
Charter Company:
Companies that rent out yachts must provide seaworthy vessels with competent crews. They cannot escape liability by claiming the captain was an independent contractor.
Captain and Crew:
Individual crew members can be personally responsible for navigation errors, safety violations, or other negligent acts that cause injuries.
Third-Party Vessels:
If another boat caused your accident, their insurance should cover your damages. This often happens in collision cases where one operator violates navigation rules, and a boating accident lawyer can help ensure you receive proper compensation.
Marina or Harbor:
Dock operators can be liable for unsafe conditions, such as broken pilings, inadequate lighting, or failure to warn of hazards. Harbor accident lawyers understand the specific regulations and responsibilities governing these facilities.
Equipment Manufacturers:
If defective equipment caused your accident, the manufacturer may be responsible under product liability laws.
What Laws Apply to Passengers and Crew?
Your legal rights depend on whether you were a paying passenger, guest, or working crew member. Maritime law provides different remedies for each situation.
The Jones Act and Seaman Status
Crew members who spend at least 30% of their work time on vessels qualify for Jones Act seaman status. This law lets you sue your employer if they hurt you because they were careless. You don’t have to show that the employer was entirely at fault; even a little bit of carelessness is enough.
Unseaworthiness and Maintenance and Cure
All seamen have the right to work on a seaworthy vessel. This means the yacht must be reasonably fit for its intended use, with proper equipment and an adequate crew. If an unseaworthy condition causes your injury, the owner is strictly liable regardless of fault.
Injured seamen also receive maintenance and cure benefits. Maintenance covers your daily living expenses while you recover. Cure pays for all medical treatment until you reach maximum recovery.
Admiralty Jurisdiction and Venue
Most yacht accidents fall under federal admiralty law rather than state courts. This specialized area of law has different rules for evidence, damages, and procedures. Many charter agreements also specify where lawsuits must be filed, which can affect your case strategy.
What Insurance Applies After a Yacht Accident?
Several types of insurance may cover your injuries. Understanding which policies apply helps determine the amount of compensation available.
| Coverage Type | What It Covers | Typical Limits |
| Yacht Liability | Guest injuries and property damage | $300,000 – $5,000,000 |
| P&I Coverage | Crew injuries, pollution, wreck removal | Varies widely |
| Charter Liability | Injuries to paying passengers | $1,000,000+ |
| Homeowner’s Policy | Small boats under 26 feet | Very limited |
Insurance companies employ experienced maritime lawyers to fight every claim. You need equally experienced representation to ensure fair treatment.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
When yachts crash, they often cause severe injuries that require extensive medical care. We fight to get you back the full amount of your losses.
Your damages may include payment of all your medical bills, both those incurred and those expected in the future. You can also get money back for lost wages and any decrease in your ability to earn money that will affect your future income.
People also want money for losses that can’t be seen, like pain and suffering, and for damages that come from being disfigured or permanently disabled.
You can also get money for the loss of enjoyment of life caused by the injuries. If someone dies tragically, we help their family members get wrongful death benefits.
The amount you get back will depend on your age, the type of injuries you have, your job, and how the accident will affect your future. We work with doctors and economists to ensure we get the exact value of your claim right.
What Is the Deadline to File a Maritime Claim?
Time limits for maritime claims are often much shorter than regular personal injury cases. Missing these deadlines can permanently deprive you of your right to compensation.
General Maritime Claims:
Most have a 3-year limitation, but many exceptions apply.
Charter Agreements:
Many contracts legally reduce the filing deadline to just one year from the accident date.
Jones Act Claims:
Seamen have a three-year Jones Act claim period to file suit against their employers.
Notice Requirements:
Some policies require a written notice of your claim (Notice six months).
We review all relevant contracts and insurance policies to identify every applicable deadline. Acting quickly protects your rights and preserves crucial evidence.
What To Do After a Yacht Accident
The steps you take immediately after an accident can make or break your case. Proper documentation and evidence preservation are critical.
Get Medical Care and Document Injuries
Seek immediate medical attention even if you feel fine initially. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries that become apparent later. Make sure every injury is documented in your medical records, no matter how minor it seems.
Report to Authorities and Obtain the Incident Report
Notify the yacht captain, Coast Guard, or Harbor Patrol about the accident. Request a copy of any incident reports filed. These official documents often contain important details about weather conditions, vessel positions, and witness statements.
Preserve Evidence, Photos, AIS/GPS, and Logs
Take photos of the accident scene, any hazardous conditions, and your visible injuries. Modern yachts have electronic systems that record their position and movements. This AIS (Automatic Identification System) data can prove exactly what happened during your accident.
Avoid Recorded Statements and Waivers
Never speak to insurance adjusters or provide recorded statements without your attorney present. Do not sign any documents, releases, or waivers. These companies will use your words against you later.
Call a Long Beach Yacht Accident Lawyer
Contact our firm immediately for guidance on protecting your rights. We can begin investigating while the evidence is still fresh and witnesses remember what happened.
Do Charter Waivers and Releases Stop Claims?
Waivers do not always prevent you from recovering compensation. Maritime law limits what yacht owners can legally disclaim through liability releases.
You cannot waive claims for:
- Gross negligence: Reckless or extremely careless conduct.
- Unseaworthiness: The owner’s duty to provide a safe vessel.
- Jones Act rights: Seamen cannot waive their fundamental protections.
- Maintenance and cure: These benefits are non-waivable for crew members.
We carefully analyze any documents you signed to determine if they are legally enforceable. Many waivers contain language that violates maritime law and can be challenged in court.
How We Build Your Case
Our investigation process is designed to uncover every factor that contributed to your accident. We leave no stone unturned in building the strongest possible case.
Evidence Preservation: We immediately secure vessel logs, maintenance records, crew certifications, and electronic navigation data before they can be altered or destroyed.
Expert Analysis: Our team includes marine surveyors, accident reconstruction specialists, and maritime safety experts who can determine precisely what went wrong.
Damage Documentation: We work with your doctors, life care planners, and vocational experts to calculate the full impact of your injuries on your life and earning capacity.
Aggressive Negotiation: We handle all communications with P&I insurers and defense lawyers, using our evidence to demand fair compensation.
Trial Preparation: While most cases settle, we prepare every claim as if it will go to trial in federal court.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Charles D. Naylor
Our firm has represented injured maritime workers and passengers for over 50 years. As maritime attorneys, we understand the complexities of maritime law and have the resources to take on the largest insurance companies.
Proven Results: We have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for our clients, including multi-million dollar recoveries in complex maritime cases.
Industry Recognition: Charles D. Naylor has been named Lawyer of the Year in Admiralty and Maritime Law by Best Lawyers and recognized by Super Lawyers for his expertise.
Local Expertise: Our Long Beach office gives us intimate knowledge of local waters, ports, and the maritime community.
No Upfront Costs: We represent all clients on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Results in Maritime and Boating Cases
Our history shows that we are always dedicated to getting the most money possible for every client who has been hurt in a maritime accident. We get great results in complex cases with longshore workers, sailors, and injured cruise ship passengers.
Our firm helped get one of the most significant personal injury verdicts of its time: a $55.2 million jury award (later settled for $24 million) for the wrongful death of a longshore worker who was killed by a broken vehicle. We also got a $3.2 million settlement for a longshore worker who lost part of his leg below the knee when a truck hit him in the port terminal.
Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation Today For Your Long Beach Yacht Accident
If you’ve been hurt, we offer a free consultation to talk about your accident and go over your legal options. We can meet you at the hospital, your home, or our office at any time of day or night.
We will go over all the details of your accident during this consultation, explain which maritime laws apply to your case, and name all the people who might be responsible. We will also discuss the money you may be able to get and answer any questions you have about the legal process.
Contact us at 888-440-5829 right away to get help with your yacht accident claim and start the process of getting the money you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Charter Waivers Prevent Me From Filing a Lawsuit?
Not necessarily. Maritime law prohibits yacht owners from using waivers to escape liability for gross negligence or providing an unseaworthy vessel.
What If My Friend were operating the Yacht When I Got Hurt?
You can still file a claim through their boat insurance policy. The claim is against the insurance company, not your friend personally.
Does It Matter If the Yacht Flies a Foreign Flag?
No, if your accident happened in U.S. waters or you are a U.S. citizen, you can typically file your case in American courts under U.S. maritime law.
Am I Considered a Seaman If I Only Work on Yachts Seasonally?
Possibly. Seaman status depends on your connection to the vessel and contribution to its mission, not just how many hours you work per year.
Where Will My Lawsuit Be Filed If the Accident Happened Between Long Beach and Catalina?
Most likely in federal court in California under admiralty jurisdiction, though charter agreements may specify a different location.
Should I Talk to the Yacht Owner’s Insurance Company?
No, you should never give statements to insurance adjusters without your own attorney present. Their goal is to minimize your claim.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire Your Firm?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
What If I Already Signed an Incident Report on the Yacht?
Signing an incident report does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit, but we need to review exactly what you signed to understand its impact.
