Since Miami is a warm-weather locale with a lively population and many people involved in boating, accidents are unavoidable. Some of these accidents are circumstantial and lead to minor injuries. Others, however, are more serious and lead to severe injuries and death. Given the nature of Miami, there are many people who are prominent and famous who live and work there. When they are in an accident, it draws attention with the results there for all to see. Such is the case with the late pitcher for the Miami Marlins, Jose Fernandez.
Mr. Fernandez and two companions were tragically killed in a fatal boating accident in September of 2016. The investigation as to how it happened and why has been ongoing even amid the tears shed and tributes given for Mr. Fernandez. Recently, it was revealed that it was Mr. Fernandez was operating the boat and doing so with negligence and while intoxicated. He had cocaine in his system, was drunk and was speeding. The boat crashed into a jetty killing the three men onboard.
According to the investigation, Mr. Fernandez’s DNA was found at the controls and his injuries matched up with what would have been suffered by the operator. The accident occurred in the middle of the night at around 3 a.m. The men died from blunt force trauma. Since this case involves a person who had significant resources due to his job as a major-league baseball player and the other two people in the boat died, the family members of the two men who were killed along with Mr. Fernandez, ages 27 and 25, will have a right to receive compensation from his estate.
Regardless of whether it was a prominent person who was responsible for the death or someone who is of lesser means, those who have lost a loved one in a fatal boating accident must understand the importance of the investigation and the evidence in a cause of action. Since this case was so high-profile, there was a great deal of attention paid to the investigation’s conclusions. Not all cases are treated with such vigilance making it imperative that those who have lost a loved one in a boat crash speak to a legal professional experienced in wrongful death cases.
Source: Miami Herald, “Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez to blame for fatal boating crash, investigation concludes,” David Ovalle, March 16, 2017
