Duck Boat Accident Kills 17, Including Nine Family Members

The Doan Law Firm Drowning Victim Legal Team Assists Victims of Duck Boat and Other Water-Related Accidents

Tragedy struck visitors to a lovely lake located just outside of popular U.S. destination Branson, Missouri, on July 19, 2017, in the form of a duck boat accident. 31 passengers were on board a duck boat on Table Rock Lake when winds started picking up.

The National Weather Service reports that at the time of the accident, winds were gusting on the lack up to 65 miles per hour. Indeed, the weather agency ended up reporting that a micro-burst event, or intensive and sudden storm, hit the lake. The micro-burst cause waves on the lake to significantly increase, the water swamping into the duck board.

Ultimately, the duck boat was swamped with water and capsized, leaving 17 people dead and about a half dozen others with injuries of various severities. Early information coming from survivors of the disaster indicate that the crew on the duck boat advised passengers not to put on life jackets while on the lake. There is also some evidence to suggest that the crew of the duck boat was warned to get off the lack immediately when the micro-burst commenced, an admonition that evidently was not followed.

Duck Boat Accident Wrongful Death and Injury Hotline

A duck boat accident wrongful death and injury hotline is available to individuals involved in this type a water-related accident, or any other situation in which a person drowns or is injured in an aquatic setting. An appointment with an experience boat accident attorney can also be arranged through the hotline. The Doan Law Firm was a team of drowning accident lawyers, the section of the firm personally managed by Jimmy Doan, the founder of The Doan Law Office.

Duck Boat Overhead Canopy Presents a Major Safety Risk

Two decades ago, The National Transportation Safety Board declared the design of duck boats to be inherently dangerous. This frank determination was made by the NTSB following a 1999 accident involving a duck boat in Arkansas. That incident resulted in 13 deaths on Lake Hamilton.

The NTSB stated in its report that the overhead canopy on a duck boat presented a major safety risk. The risk existed whether or not people wore life jackets on board. If a duck boat capsized, passengers oftentimes ended up trapped underneath, were unable to escape, and drowned.

Despite the stern warning by the NTSB two decades ago, the design of duck boats has largely remained unchanged. This was the case in regard to the duck boat built, owned and operated by Ride the Ducks International. The investigation by both the National Transportation Safety Board and U.S. Coast Guard is ongoing.

Who is Responsible for a Duck Boat Wrongful Death?

A key element of obtaining justice in a duck boat wrongful death case is fully identifying all of the responsible parties. Using the recent duck boat accident on Table Rock Lake in Missouri as an example, a number of individuals and entities might be considered responsible parties.

These include:

• tour company
• duck boat builder
• duck boat owner
• boat crew

Financial Recovery in a Drowning Wrongful Death Case

The specific facts and circumstances surrounding a particular drowning, boating, or similar case govern the financial compensation that can be sought. With that noted, common types of losses for which a drowning accident lawyer from The Doan Law Firm seeks compensation includes:

• pain and suffering
• lost support or wages
• lost companionship
• final medical bills
• funeral bills and expenses

The Doan Law Firm and Drowning Accidents

The Doan Law Firm has represented an ever increasing number of people in drowning and aquatic accidents, including case like the horrendous one involving the duck boat in Missouri. The founder of the firm, Jimmy Doan, has extensive experience in drowning accidents, including a decade of service as the chief drowning investigator for a metropolitan sheriff's department.

The Doan Law Firm has offices is nationwide and has offices from coast to coast. An initial consultation can be scheduled at any one of the firm's locations, at a prospective client's home, or even online through a virtual appointment.

Doan Law Firm Attorney Fee Pledge

The Doan Law Firm makes a firm promise to all clients. The firm never charges an attorney fee unless a settlement or judgment is obtained in favor of a client. Simply put, a client owes no fee unless The Doan Law Firm wins the case.

Contact us today for more information!