New Jersey Pontoon Accident: What is Christopher’s Law?

NJ.com reports that a bill has been introduced in New Jersey dubbed “Christopher’s Law” that would require pontoon rental businesses to notify customers about the dangers of operating the vessels. According to the website, the law is a tribute to a 10-year-old Christopher D’Amico Jr. who was killed in a June pontoon accident on Lake…

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Does Maritime Law Apply If I’m Hurt on Land Near the Water?

The Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act is a form of workers’ comp that provides those who are not members of a vessel crew with compensation if they are injured while working on or near the water, including: Damages for lost body parts Death benefits for surviving dependents Two-thirds of the worker’s average weekly wage…

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Tougher Penalties for Leaving Scene of Boat Accidents

In New Jersey, state law demands that boat operators involved in an accident stop and help any injured persons, assuming they can do so without risking harm to themselves. A new law just signed into existence raises the stakes for leaving the scene of an accident. If the accident results in a death, fleeing the…

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New Jersey Passing Law Increasing Boating Accident Penalties?

On January 14, a bill cleared the New Jersey state Senate that would toughen the punishment for leaving the scene of a boating accident that results in a serious or fatal injury. According to the Brick Patch, under the current law, aside from being illegal, there is no set penalty for leaving the scene of…

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New Jersey Barge Worker Injured When Struck by Boom

A boom crane struck a New Jersey barge worker on January 21 on the Passaic River, causing serious injuries that required emergency rescue teams. According to the Lyndhurst Fire Department, when the worker’s injury was originally called in, it was described as just a “nosebleed.” However, when emergency crews arrived, they found the barge worker…

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New Jersey Snow Storm Sets Hudson River Barges Adrift

Two large construction barges were set loose from the Tappan Zee Bridge on January 3 during a recent snowstorm, causing more scrutiny over the area that has been criticized for safety concerns since a fatal accident last summer. One of the barges made it 15 miles before officials recovered it; the other traveled a shorter…

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New Jersey Ferry Accident Injures Several On Board, Including Captain

A New Jersey ferry accident on November 30 injured several people on board, including the vessel’s captain. The ferry hit a Jersey City pier 300 yards north of the dock it was traveling to, causing many passengers and crewmembers to fall. Five passengers and two crewmembers, one being the ship’s captain, reported injuries. Three were…

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No-Boating Zones Established on the Hudson River

The U.S. Coast Guard has established no-boating zones on the Hudson River due to construction on the Tappan Zee Bridge, where an accident that killed two people and injured three others occurred in July. However, the area where boats will no longer be allowed does not include the actual area where the accident occurred. On…

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New Jersey Boating Accident Numbers Unaffected by Storm Debris

Boating accident numbers in New Jersey did not spike this summer, despite concerns over safety hazards due to debris in waterways from Superstorm Sandy. Work to clean waterways began last winter and fears of increased boating accident form debris stuck around all summer. The numbers, however, have stayed the same with seasonal norms, and are…

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Eight Workers Injured in Boat House Explosion at Navy Base

Eight workers were injured in a boathouse explosion last week at a New Jersey Navy base while performing routine maintenance. One person was hospitalized with serious injuries while the other seven sustained only minor injuries, mostly consistent with smoke inhalation. An investigation into the cause of the explosion is still underway. According to USA Today,…

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