Matthew P. Fortin of Rhode Island has been charged with drunken driving of a boat when his speeding boat caused the death of two women. It appears that, under the influence of alcohol, Fortin was negligent and hit another boat that was carrying these two women. He has been charged with five felony counts related to the boating accident.  However, no criminal charge or monetary compensation could ever make up for the harm caused by Fortin’s carelessness.

Fortin has not entered any plea yet and has been released after posting cash bail of $1,000.  He will return to court soon.

If this boat accident happened in California and our office advised the families of the deceased, we would advise them that they may be entitled for compensation to cover the cost of funeral, loss of life, loss of earnings and other related damages. In addition, if Fortin is convicted of felony driving under the influence, their families may be entitled to have their attorneys’ fees paid by Fortin.  Normally, personal injury victims must bear the expense of paying for their attorneys and litigation costs.

Ross Jurewitz is a boat accident attorney in San Diego and the managing lawyer of the Jurewitz Law Group, a California law firm dedicated to representing people seriously injured and the families of people killed in a boat crash.  If you or a loved one has been killed or injured in a personal injury accident in California, please order your free copy of Mr. Jurewitz’s book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes that can Destroy Your California Accident Case. It is full of helpful information that will help you protect your legal rights and it is free to all California residents.