Practice Area
Boating Accident Lawyers in California
From the harbors of Southern California to inland lakes and the Delta, boating is a way of life here — and operator negligence on the water can cause devastating injuries. We handle the claims that follow.
- FeeNo fee unless we win
- First conversationFree and confidential
- LanguageSe habla español
Overview
How these claims work.
Boating accidents happen when operators speed, drink, overload a vessel, ignore navigation rules, or fail to keep a proper lookout. Passengers, swimmers, water-skiers, and people on other boats can all be seriously hurt, and help on the water is often far away.
These cases can involve California law, and sometimes federal maritime rules, depending on where the accident occurred. We sort out which framework applies, identify the responsible operator or owner, and document injuries that range from near-drowning to serious trauma.
What We Handle
Boating accident injuries we handle
- Drowning and near-drowning
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Propeller injuries and lacerations
- Spinal and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Hypothermia
- Wrongful death
California Law
What you should know.
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Operating under the influence is illegal on the water
California prohibits operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A BUI that causes injury is strong evidence of negligence, much like a DUI on the road.
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State and maritime law can both apply
Depending on the location and circumstances, a boating claim may fall under California law or federal maritime law, which can affect deadlines and procedures. The standard two-year California deadline applies to many claims, but early advice clarifies which rules govern.
General information, not legal advice. Deadlines and rules depend on the facts of your case, so talk to a lawyer about yours. Read our FAQ.
How We Help
What Reardon Stodolka brings to your case.
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We read the medicine, not just the file
The firm was built around reading treatment records the way clinicians do — connecting the mechanism of your injury to the diagnosis, the prognosis, and the long-term cost. That is what stops an insurer from dismissing a serious injury as minor.
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California is the whole practice
Deadlines, comparative-fault rules, and the insurers and courts you will face are all California-specific. The work is built around how injury claims actually move here, from the first claim letter to trial if it comes to that.
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No fee unless we win
You pay nothing up front and nothing unless we recover for you. The first conversation is free and focused on giving you a clear, honest read on your claim.
Who is responsible for a boating accident?
Usually the operator whose negligence caused it, and sometimes the boat’s owner. We investigate operator conduct, vessel condition, and whether alcohol or speed played a role.
Does California or federal law apply to my boating accident?
It depends on where and how the accident happened. Some claims fall under California law and others under federal maritime law. We determine which framework governs your case and the deadlines that come with it.
The operator had been drinking. Does that help my claim?
Yes. Operating a vessel under the influence is illegal in California, and evidence of it strongly supports a negligence claim.
Free Case Review
Ready to talk about your case?
Share what happened and the questions weighing on you. The first conversation is free, confidential, and focused on clarity — with no fee unless we win.