Two Seriously Injured In Lake Michigan Boat Explosion Accident

Personal Injury - July 25, 2024

Boat Explosion on Lake Michigan Near Waukegan  Left Two People Seriously  Injured

Two Seriously Injured In Lake Michigan Boat Explosion Accident

WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS (July 25, 2024) – At least two people were seriously injured in a Lake Michigan boat explosion not far from a power plant in Waukegan.

Lake County officials are saying that the incident took place on Tuesday. A 25-foot fiberglass hull powerboat exploded and burned for approximately 90 minutes.

A Sugar Grove woman saw what happened and took action to save the men in the burning boat. She loaded the two boaters onto a pontoon boat and rushed them to Waukegan Harbor.

Both boaters were seriously injured in the Lake Michigan boat explosion and were taken to the hospital in order to receive treatment. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.

Liability For Waukegan Boat Explosions

Boat fires remain a major cause of preventable injury and death in the United States. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “34 people were killed in a 2019 recreational boat fire off the coast of Southern California. Although the cause of the fire was not found, investigators believe it started in an area where passengers had plugged in phones, flashlights and other items with combustible lithium-ion batteries.” There are a number of common causes of boat fires.

  • Electrical issues with the boat could lead to a fire. This is particularly true in the event of a fuel leak.
  • Boat fires may also be due to engines overheating. This could be caused by a lack of proper maintenance, blocked cooling systems, or mechanical failures.
  • Many boat fires involve the improper storage of flammable materials. These materials may leak and create a hazardous condition.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for any boat explosion. For example, the company that manufactured the boat could be held at fault. Companies have a legal obligation to create products that are reasonably safe. If a boat has a defect that contributes to an accident, the manufacturer could be held strictly liable. Victims of boat accidents tend to suffer very serious injuries.

  • Burn injuries
  • Organ damage
  • Lung damage
  • Blast injuries

Boat fires can be complex events. There could be several different factors that may contribute to any fire. Sadly, though, boat manufacturers will often do everything in their power. This is why it is so important that accident victims seek legal counsel as early as possible. An attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know if you have a claim that can be pursued.

Investigating Lake Michigan Boat Explosions

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our best wishes to the two people injured in this Lake Michigan boat accident. It is our sincere hope that they will be able to make a full recovery. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Lake Michigan boat fire? You may have legal recourse through a civil claim. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We are committed to helping accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.