Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A serious Missouri boating accident on the Lake of the Ozarks recently tossed seven people into the water, according to an article in the Columbia Tribune. Five of the people involved in the accident had to be taken to area hospitals for treatment of injuries.

The accident took place during events leading up to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout, which is known as the “largest unsanctioned boat race in the United States.” It was captured on camera by a boater who was setting up his film equipment in preparation for the event.

The boat was heading across the lake to a restaurant and had a full complement of passengers. The watercraft was traveling at a high speed when it began to rock as it hit a series of choppy waves, tossing passengers back and forth and convincing witnesses that the boat might tip over. Five of the passengers lost their balance and fell overboard, and when the boat slowed and regained control, those still on board discovered quite a bit of water in the bottom due to the bumpy ride.

Continue reading "Lake of the Ozarks Boat Accident Sends Five to Hospital" »

The dangerously low levels of water in Table Rock Lake and other Missouri lakes and rivers has resulted in an increase in MO boating accidents and injuries this summer, according to a recent article from KSPR.

This past summer, Table Rock Lake dropped to under 910 feet at its deepest point, when it is usually around 917 feet. The Army Corps of Engineers predicts that if the dry weather continues in August, evaporation and hydroelectric power demands on the lake will cause the water level to drop another 3.5 feet - further increasing the risk of accidents.

Continue reading "Dangerously Low Water Levels Cause Spike in Missouri Boating Accidents" »

A personal flotation device (PFD) is key to protecting your safety during water activities of all kinds. Missouri law requires boaters under age 7 to wear a PFD at all times. All passengers on boats over 16 feet long or being towed by boats over 16 feet long must also wear PFDs. There are five basic classes of PFD, each suited for a particular purpose:

• Type I. Type I PFDs are designed for rough waters or situations where rescue may be hours or even days in coming. These are the classic “Mae West”-type life preservers used on oceangoing and other deep-water vessels.
• Type II. Type II PFDs are designed for calm waters or situations where rescue will probably be quick, like on recreational lake and stream areas. Unlike Type I PFDs, not all Type II PFDs will turn an unconscious person face-up in water.
• Type III. Type III PFDs are the preferred model for boating and fishing. Type III PFDs will not turn an unconscious person face-up unless they are fitted with a collar designed for this purpose.
• Type IV. Type IV PFDs are the only type not worn on the body. These include seat cushions and ring buoys designed to be thrown to someone in the water.
• Type V. Type V PFDs include windsurfing vests, deck suits, and all other PFDs designed for a specific water sport.

A properly-fitting PFD may save your life or reduce injuries. If you’re involved in a boating accident, don’t hesitate to call a dedicated St. Louis County boating accident attorney at Page Law. For a free, confidential case evaluation, call us at (314) 322-8515 today.

Labor Day 2011 turned from festivity to tragedy for four families this weekend, as four people lost their lives in drowning-related accidents, according to a recent article in the Springfield News-Leader.

Of those who lost their lives on the water this weekend, one was fishing, one was swimming, and two were killed in a boating accident. The fishing fatality involved a 93-year-old Kansas City man who disappeared in the Lake of the Ozarks. He had been fishing off a dock in the lake at the time, and rescue workers believe he fell in. They were unable to rescue him in time. Another Kansas City resident, a 22-year-old man, drowned while swimming in Smithville Lake. Witnesses say that he was swimming across a cove when he began to struggle; he slipped underwater before rescuers could reach him. Unfortunately, he could not be revived.

Meanwhile, a boating accident on the Osage River left two men dead and four people injured after two boats collided, sending some of their passengers into the water. Two of the people injured in that accident were taken to nearby hospitals with serious injuries, while two others were treated and released. Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

Investigators say that the number of fatal drownings over 2011’s Labor Day weekend is equal to the drowning deaths that occurred over Labor Day 2010. Overall, 14 people have lost their lives in Missouri boating accidents this year. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a drowning or boating accident, please don’t hesitate to call the experienced Missouri boating accident attorneys at Page Law. We will help you determine what happened and hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions. For a free consultation, call us today at 314-PAGE-LAW. You can also visit our Page Law Facebook page for news, useful information, and other topics of interest.

Tragically, three individuals were killed in three separate incidents on the Lake of the Ozarks over Labor Day weekend, according to KMOX.

Two men, one age 18 and one age 24, drowned in separate accidents while a 26 year old woman was crushed when she fell off a boat as it approached a dock. In 2008 and 2009, no water-related deaths occurred over the Labor Day weekends in Missouri.

In addition to these deaths, seven boating injuries occurred in over the holiday weekend. Twenty-seven individuals were arrested for boating while intoxicated in the state.

It’s important for boaters and swimmers to observe basic safety tips to avoid any more tragic accidents such as the ones that occurred over the Labor Day weekend. For boaters, make sure that your boat is equipped with all required safety equipment including life jackets. Do not just bring a life jacket; make sure to wear one while on the water. Do not overload the boat with more passengers than the boat can handle. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, do not drink while boating. Alcohol consumption while boating is one of the major causes of Missouri boating fatalities.

Individuals should never swim alone, even if they are good swimmers. Swim only in designated swimming areas, and do not rely on water wings, a tube or another toy to keep you afloat. And, of course, remember that drinking and swimming do not mix.

Accidents such as the ones that occurred in the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend are especially tragic because they could have easily been prevented. If you have been injured in a water related accident due to someone else’s negligence, call the experienced Missouri boating accident attorneys at Page Law today at 314-322-8515.

Three boating deaths were reported in Missouri over the holiday weekend, and two were due to alcohol consumption.

According to KMOX.com, a man was boating with some of his friends on the Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend. The friends decided to climb on the Hurricane Bridge and jump into the water, a 60 foot fall. The man who jumped first did not survive, and his body was recovered by divers.

Another tragic Missouri boating accident occurred when an elderly woman, who was riding on a pontoon boat on the Osage River, was killed when her boat was struck by a man who had been consuming alcohol. The individual was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Across the state, 39 people were arrested for boating while under the influence of drugs or alcohol over the Independence Day holiday.

Continue reading "Boating and Alcohol a Deadly Combination over Holiday Weekend" »

There’s nothing some people enjoy more than being out on the water in a boat, enjoying the sights and the company of friends. But what happens if someone is injured while on another person’s boat or even worse, goes missing from falling overboard? Most boat-owners and adventurous riders know that a boat’s owner and operator have the responsibility and legal duty to exercise a substantial degree of care to help keep passengers and other boaters safe from harm. When boating accidents occur, whether in the form of a sinking incident, a collision with another watercraft, or even a slip and fall accident onboard, severe injuries can result as a consequence.

In the most serious of boating accidents cases, like a recent incident in Mississippi, wrongful death can occur. According to a wkrg.com article, a boat’s fishing tower was too high to clear the Popps Ferry Bridge. As the boat attempted to pass underneath the bridge, the boat owner was hit and fell overboard as the tower was knocked down. It wasn’t until hours later that his body was found in Biloxi’s Back Bay. Four other passengers who were on the boat at the time of the accident did not suffer injuries and were rescued by passing boaters, according to the article.

Boating accidents can occur for a variety of reasons, and in this particular case, the boat operator may not have been paying attention and failed to realize in time that the fishing tower would not make it under the bridge. Although this accident took place in Mississippi, driver inattention and reckless operation of boats can be some of the most common causes of boating accidents in the state of Missouri.

Continue reading "Body of Missing Boater Found after Accident at Bridge" »

A ksmu.org story recently reported on Missouri’s 4th annual 340 Kayak and Boat Race, an event that provides a definite physical challenge for competitors who must be ready to face just about anything. It is expected that some participating rowers will drop out before the race reaches it end, partially due to the elements taking a harsh turn in the form of six foot waves, or fatigue and heat exhaustion settling in on weary competitors. According to the report, one competitor said he stopped racing because he was dehydrated and started to hallucinate.

The longest non-stop river race in the world began on Monday, August 3, 2009 and ended Friday, August 7, 2009. While making their journey across the Missouri River from Kansas City to St. Charles, the competing kayakers are required to make designated stops at checkpoints to take a break and replenish supplies, and even risk being disqualified if they fail to be at the checkpoints at the required designated time.

Even experienced kayakers and boaters are not immune to the numerous dangers associated with recreational activity on the lakes of Missouri. As the intense 340 Kayak and Boat Race demonstrates, even those who spend months training for a physical event risk suffering from dehydration, heat exhaustion, and the unpredictably of the water and weather.

Continue reading "Missouri 340 Kayak and Boat Race is an Extreme Competition with Real Risks" »

According to a report, two people suffered serious injuries in a Missouri boating accident on Lake Taneycomo recently. The driver claims that the boating accident occurred when he was distracted by a dog that was with the men on the boat. The Missouri Water Patrol said that three men and the dog were aboard the boat when the boat hit a log in the water. After hitting the log, the boat became airborne and struck a tree on the lake’s shore, ejecting the occupants from the boat.

The people injured in the Missouri boating accident were the boat’s driver, a 58-year-old Rockaway beach man, and a 59-year-old man from West Covina, California. The impact threw the 59-year-old man from the boat and a third passenger—age and address unknown—reported no injuries from the boating accident.

Missouri’s splendid lakes and other waterways make it a popular destination for boating enthusiasts from all over the country. However, some boat owners and operators overlook their responsibilities to exercise the highest degree of care to ensure that their passengers and the passengers of other boats are not injured in collisions with other boats or objects in the water.

If you or someone you care for has been killed or injured in a boating accident, the Missouri's experienced boating accident attorneys at St. Louis personal injury law firm Page Law may be able to help. With their legal counsel and assistance, the victims of boating accidents can receive the compensation they deserve to help with the costs of hospitalization, recuperation and other expenses. Call them today at (314) 322-8515 to schedule a free consultation with their experienced Missouri boating accident lawyers. More information can be found at www.injuredclient.com.

A recent report claims that two St. Louis men suffered serious injuries when their boat ran aground at Lake of the Ozarks. The Missouri Water Patrol said that a 45-year-old St. Charles man and a 45-year-old Smithton man were taken to Lake Regional Hospital with serious injuries after the Missouri boating accident at Twin Islands near Laurie. A 58-year-old Belleville man who was involved in the accident was also taken to the hospital to treat what were described as moderate injuries.

The investigation is still underway but early reports claim that the three men were aboard a runabout that left Horny Toad Cove and ran aground at Twin Islands. They called 911 and were met by emergency personnel when they returned to Horny Toad Cove.

Lake of the Ozarks and other waterways are marvelous places to relax, have fun and enjoy the outdoors. But sometimes the operators of boats and other watercraft forget their responsibilities or operate their craft in a negligent manner, and boating accidents injure over 8,000 and claim the lives of over 800 people in this country every year. Boat owners and boat operators have a duty to exercise the highest degree of care to prevent injuries to their passengers and the passengers of other watercrafts.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Missouri boating accident on Lake of the Ozarks or another waterway, the experienced St. Louis boating accident attorneys at Page Law may be able to help. The boating accident lawyers at St. Louis personal injury law firm, Page Law, have helped many victims of accidents involving boats, jet skis and other watercraft receive the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation with experienced Missouri boating accident lawyers, call them today at (314) 322-8515. More information can be found at www.injuredclient.com.

OzarksFirst.com reports in a story that efforts are underway in the Missouri House of Representatives that may improve the safety of waterways and lakes in the region. The Missouri Water Patrol is throwing their support behind House Bill 657.

House Bill 657 would require dock owners on lakes with at least 950 miles of shoreline to post the nearest 911 address to help emergency personnel locate people in trouble on Missouri’s lakes. Lakes administered or created by the Army Corps of Engineers would also fall under the new requirement to give assistance to those injured in a boating accident in Missouri.

If passed, the bill will take into effect January 2010. Supporters hope that the bill will shorten 911 response times by providing responders with accurate land addresses from which rescue efforts or other services can be launched.

The news of this legislation should be welcomed by boaters and outdoor enthusiasts who flock to the lakes of Missouri. Although cell phones are often carried by outdoor recreation buffs because of their supposed ability to broadcast location information when 911 calls are made from the phones, the differing levels of cell technology available in Missouri makes this method of location less than reliable. A KOMU news story reports that emergency responders may not be able to retrieve cell phone location information in two out of three 911 calls.

Going to a posted information format may be a cost effective and more reliable way for first responders to find those who need their help.

If you have any questions about boating accidents and premises liability, please contact the Missouri personal injury law firm of Page Law to discuss the matter with a highly experienced St. Louis personal injury attorney. Call (314) 322-8515 for a case evaluation and to find out if your case qualifies you for compensation from negligent parties.