Boat Accident Claims

Anyone who has been injured on or around a boat due to another party’s negligence may be eligible to make a boat accident claim. This includes passengers on private or commercial vessels, crew members injured during unsafe working conditions, people using rented watercraft, holidaymakers on boating excursions, and bystanders struck by a negligent operator.

You can also bring a claim on behalf of a child, or for someone who lacks the mental capacity to claim for themselves. If you’re unsure whether you qualify, we can assess your circumstances in a free consultation.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to start your boat accident claim. This time limit is set under the Limitation Act 1980. For children, the three-year limit does not begin until their 18th birthday, meaning they can make their own claim up to age 21.

Claims involving international waters or foreign vessels may follow different legal frameworks, which can shorten or extend the timescale, so it’s important to get early legal advice. Acting quickly also helps preserve vital evidence such as incident reports, witness statements, and medical records.

Strict liability applies when responsibility exists regardless of intent or fault, often involving unsafe equipment or workplace duties. To prove it, you must show that a legal duty applied, that it was breached, and that this breach caused your injury.

At Claim Time Solicitors, we determine whether strict liability applies and support your claim with the right evidence.

The four main types of evidence used in boat accident claims are documentary evidence (such as reports or records), physical evidence (damaged equipment or vessels), witness evidence, and expert evidence such as medical or safety reports.
 We identify and secure the right mix of evidence to support your claim effectively.

Good evidence includes medical records, photographs or videos of the accident scene, witness details, incident reports, and official documentation from authorities or operators.
Claim Time Solicitors use this evidence to demonstrate how the accident happened and the full impact it has had on you.

The five key elements are duty of care, breach of that duty, causation, injury or loss, and evidence to support each point. All must be shown for a successful claim.

We carefully assess each element to ensure your boat accident claim is legally sound.

Your first priority should be safety. Seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to the relevant authority or operator. If possible, document what happened and gather witness details.
At Claim Time Solicitors, we provide early boat accident advice to help protect your health, evidence, and legal rights from the very start.

Strong evidence is built by acting early, reporting the incident, seeking medical attention, preserving photos or videos, and keeping records of expenses and symptoms.
We  manage this process for you, gathering and organising evidence to strengthen your claim from the outset.