Key West Injury Lawyer Blog
Every year, thousands of tourists and locals alike wait to dive beneath the surface of the Florida Keys’ sparkling waters during lobster season.
Invariably, however, this highly anticipated, annual event does not come without incident. From arrests for overfishing to more devastating boating accidents, authorities are cautioning divers and boaters to be safe out on the water.
In its latest, publicly available report, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission noted that there were 694 reportable boating accidents in 2025. These incidents resulted in 51 deaths and injuries to 437 people. The agency reported that 67% of fatal incidents in 2025 involved vessel operators without formal boater education.
The area in the state with the most reported incidents was Monroe County. With that in mind, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and FWC officials have regularly posted safety advisories and tips ahead of the mini season.
2026 Spiny Lobster Season
The annual event kicks off with its mini season on the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July. This year, those dates fall on Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30. The regular season takes place from Thursday, Aug. 6 until Wednesday, March 31. Bag limits in Monroe County and Biscayne National park are six per person, per day. A limit of 12 lobsters per person a day is permitted throughout the rest of the state. Lobsters should be measured in the water, and divers should ensure that their lobsters are in accordance with state size limits.
In a video posted to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s official social media, an officer urged divers to check their equipment and stay safe on the water. In the video, the officer reminds divers to keep the following items with them:
- Saltwater fishing license
- Lobster permit
- Dive Flag
- Measuring Device
Leesfield & Partners
As a personal injury law firm with offices rooted in coastal cities like Miami and Key West, Leesfield & Partners understands the excitement surrounding the start of the spiny lobster season. The annual event is a time for local divers to band together out on the water and for families to make fun-filled memories. With more people out on the water, however, comes an increase for potential injuries. Especially if boaters do not have the necessary training or experience to keep themselves and their passengers safe.
Tragically, Leesfield & Partners knows firsthand that it is families who bare the brunt of the consequences when that lack of experience causes a devastating and preventable incident. Ira Leesfield, the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, has steadfastly supported boating safety and remained a fierce advocate for education and lifejacket usage.
“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,” Mr. Leesfield said. “Important safety standards must be enforced on all watercrafts.”
From failing to adhere to divers’ down flag laws to impaired boating, our skilled trial attorneys have worked tirelessly to secure the best possible outcome for every client. In five decades of service to clients throughout Florida, Leesfield & Partners gained state and nationwide recognition for achieving record verdicts and settlements for injured clients and grieving families.
Last July, when Lucy’s Law—legislation named in honor of 17-year-old Luciana ‘Lucy’ Fernandez, who died in the 2022 Boca Chita boat crash—went into effect, our attorneys applauded the move and saw it as a sign for increased vigilance and safety on the water.
“I think these are long overdue changes,” said Partner Justin B. Shapiro at the time. “We have seen far too many fatalities and grievous injuries from boating crashes over the years.”
Ongoing Boating and Water-Related Incidents
Leesfield & Partners attorneys handle numerous tragic and preventable boating cases every year. 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 13-year-old Erin Ko, who tragically died, and 7-year-old Calena Areyan Gruber, who survived.
That case is being handled by Mr. Shapiro and Trial Attorney Bernardo Pimentel II.
Previous Boating Cases
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.
Mr. Pimentel 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.
