BC Ferries Accidents
Whether you are a tourist exploring the coastal and island communities in British Columbia, or a British Columbian traveling for work or recreation, BC Ferries transports millions of people every year. In fact BC Ferries is one of the largest passenger ferry lines in all of North America. When you are a passenger of BC Ferries you are entitled to expect your journey to be a safe one. BC Ferries have an obligation to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for their passengers who make use their facilities, including the ferry terminals and the ferries themselves including the restaurants, stores, washrooms, or any other facilities aboard.
If you are injured while onboard a BC Ferry due to the negligence of the company or their employees, you could be entitled to compensation.
Common types of negligence that result in injuries on BC Ferries include:
- Unsafe walkways
- Unsafe stairways
- Unsafe common areas
- Lack of appropriate lighting
- Slip and fall accidents
- Restaurant accidents
- Food poisoning or allergic reactions
- Negligence of employees or contractors
- Exposure to hazardous materials
What To Do If You’re Injured on a BC Ferry?
If you’ve been injured while onboard a BC Ferry you should notify an employee immediately. They will likely take a incident report and record what has occurred. It is always advisable to take your own photos and videos to support your claim to ensure you have the evidence you need to prove your claim. If there are any witnesses to your accident, make sure to get their name and contact information. Independent witnesses can be important in your claim to verify what occurred.
Once you are able you should go to, depending on the severity of your injuries, a hospital or doctor to ensure you get the medical treatment you require. If you are injured but do not attend a doctor for a significant length of time this can work against you as BC Ferries could argue that there may have been an intervening event that may have caused your injuries.
What Compensation Is Available For BC Ferry Accidents?
Each case of BC Ferries negligence is unique and requires careful handling and expert examination. What each case is worth and what compensation you’re entitled to depends on the specific facts of the case. However, generally speaking in personal injury claims you can seek compensation (also called damages) for:
- Pain and suffering (or non-pecuniary damages)
- Past loss of Income
- Future loss of income
- Loss of capacity to earn income
- Loss of homemaking capacity
- Cost of future care
- Out of pocket medical expenses (or special damages)
- In-trust claims
BC Ferries Injury Lawyers
The lawyers at Taylor & Blair LLP having been helping people with injury claims of all types for over 30 years. We have a network of specialists and experts that can help us make sure you get the compensation you are entitled to.
There are specific timelines in which you have to bring a claim for injury in British Columbia, so if you have suffered an injury in an accident on a BC Ferry contact the experienced personal injury lawyers from Taylor & Blair LLP today for a free consultation.