At least one person has died in Pinellas County after a sea trial resulted in a crash, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies were called out around 2:35 p.m. to the area of 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard after getting reports of the crash. The boat allegedly crashed into Stebbins Island and ejected its operator, 56-year-old Pal Pataki, of Clearwater, Florida.
Pataki was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pataki does not own the boat, officials said, and the investigation is ongoing. While no official cause has been released, investigators did say that impairment “does not appear” to be a factor in the crash.
Each year, communities are sent reeling with the news of another boating incident and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opens another investigation. Annually, the agency releases its accident report — representing not just data of an ongoing safety issue within the state but also reflecting lives cut short and families forever changed.
As a personal injury law firm with several offices across the Sunshine State — two of which are in coastal cities like Miami and Key West — Leesfield & Partners knows just how devastating and preventable boating accidents can be. Whether resulting in permanent injury or the death of a loved one, these incidents have severe consequences and more must be done to ensure safety out on the water.
Leesfield & Partners
With nearly five decades of personal injury experience, our attorneys have handled just about every manner of injury that can occur out on the water. This experience is the backbone of why the firm releases regular safety advisories and why its Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, and other Leesfield & Partners attorneys are so outspoken when it comes to lifejacket usage, sober boating and improved safety measures.
“The dangers from boating incidents are entirely underestimated as South Florida becomes more congested, drinking on the water becomes more prevalent and distractions from cell phones and other devices increases,” he said. “Important safety standards must be enforced on all watercrafts.”
In 2024, there were 685 reportable boating accidents throughout the state with 81 deaths and nearly 400 injuries. About 65% of boaters involved in fatal accidents had not received formal boating education — underscoring the importance of safety awareness on the water.
On July 1, Lucy’s Law — named after high schooler Luciana ‘Lucy’ Fernandez, who died in the 2022 Boca Chita boat crash — went into effect, imposing stricter penalties for boaters who flee the scene of a crash and strengthening boater education requirements statewide. In an article with iHeart Radio’s Joel Malkin, Partner Justin B. Shapiro said the changes were much needed.
“I think these are long overdue changes,” he said. “We have seen far too many fatalities and grievous injuries from boating crashes over the years.”
As these incidents continue to occur, taking with them many precious lives and causing severe injuries, it is clear that more has to be done in order to ensure the safety of both locals and tourists on the water.
“Florida is the boating capital of the world, but sadly, it is also the boating fatality capital of the world,” Mr. Shapiro said. “There are no formal education or certification requirements for most boaters in Florida, leaving many grossly unqualified to navigate Florida’s unique and congested waterways.”
Ongoing Boating Cases
Mr. Shapiro and Evan Robinson, a Trial Attorney at the firm, are representing a teen who suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of a water tubing accident.
Mr. Shapiro and Trial Attorney Eric Shane are representing a young girl who was enrolled in a South Florida summer camp when her leg was sliced by a boat propeller.
Leesfield & Partners is also representing those affected by the tragic sailboat-barge crash in Miami on July 28, including 7-year-old Calena Areyan Gruber, who fought to survive.
“My heart goes out to the families of those involved in this most tragic incident,” Mr. Shapiro said. “Very few details have been shared with the public, and it is too early to cast blame on any particular individual or entity. Regardless, it is absolutely clear this is an incident that cannot happen in the absence of negligence, incompetence, or both.”
Boating Tragedies Handled by Leesfield & Partners
Previously, the firm secured a substantial settlement in a case involving a minor who lost a leg while not being supervised on a vessel.
The firm previously handled the case of a family whose young son was snorkeling when he was hit and killed by a passing boater. The boater in that case was also a minor who should never have been given permission to operate the vessel without supervision. Not only did this minor not stop, but he attempted to cover up evidence and lied to police when questioned.
Neighbors later testified that this minor regularly operated the boat in a reckless manner.
The firm represented the family of a young woman, 20, who tragically died when the vessel she was on crashed into a concrete dock. The firm secured over $1.3 million for the family when it was revealed that the boat operator had been drinking and speeding the night of the crash.
In a jet ski and boat crash, Leesfield & Partners attorneys secured $935,750 for their client.
In a boat case involving a foreign resort, the firm secured an $800,000 recovery for the injured client.
Another boating accident involving a negligent operator resulted in a $500,000 recovery.
In addition to boating accident litigation, Leesfield & Partners have represented the victims of various water-related accidents, including drownings, jet ski crashes, parasailing, and other recreational activities.
The firm represented the widow of a man who drowned while on a boat tour at the Dry Tortugas National Park. The company’s tour guides instructed the man where he should go to snorkel and, within minutes, his body was found unresponsive.
The firm secured a six-figure recovery in that case.
Bernardo Pimentel II, a Leesfield & Partners Trial Attorney, represented the family of a young man and father-to-be who was lobster diving when he was killed by a law enforcement officer who negligently failed to adhere to divers-down flag laws.