Boating is a favourite pastime of many Canadians. Our country is blessed with thousands of lakes, rivers and other waterways, however, boating accidents are also prevalent in Canada.

A recent Canadian Red Cross Society study found there were 555 boating fatalities between 2001-2005. Only 12% of the victims were wearing life jackets at the time of accident. Contributory factors in the boating fatalities include lack of floatation devices, water temperature and drinking. 68% of drowning victims were not wearing a floatation device. The reason for one third of those who were not wearing a life vest was that the life vests were stowed out of reach. A national Research Council journal claims that people wearing a life jacket can swim in water temperatures of 10-23 degrees Celsius, for about 800-1000 meters or about 45 minutes, before their arms and legs stopped working from hyperthermia.

The same study found that wearing a life vest could have prevented 50% of boating deaths. Men accounted for 87% of boating deaths. Alcohol was a factor in 43% of boating deaths. 20-24 year olds had the largest number of deaths. The conclusion of the study also highlights that most boating victims were economically active young to middle aged adult males with an average economic loss estimate of about 2 million dollars, direct and indirect costs, including human capital losses of lifetime family earnings.

It is the responsibility of the operators of the boat and the owners to make sure that their passengers wear personal floatation devices in the event of an accident. It is also the responsibility of the operator of the boat to caution the passengers about the conditions that may cause a safety hazard for the passengers.

If you or one of your loved ones has been involved in a boating accident and was seriously injured or became an unfortunate casualty, you may be eligible for compensation.

Please call SBMB Law at 905.884.9242 for a FREE consultation with a boating accident lawyer including an expert Certified by the Law Society of Upper Canada or a Specialist in Civil Litigation and Health Law. Our boating accident lawyers are highly experienced in boating accident claims and will be happy to help you with your boating accident claim.