Ask a Maritime Attorney: How Liable am I if a Vendor is Injured on my Boat?

Question: I have used a local diesel mechanic for various projects on my boat for the past three or four years.  Two months ago, he broke his leg in a freak accident while working aboard my boat.  It was a serious break but I have stayed in touch with him and he seems to be recovering without any complications.  We had a friendly relationship though, so I was pretty surprised when I received a letter from the mechanic’s lawyer demanding that I pay his medical bills and an additional amount for “pain and suffering.”  The attorney said that I have a legal obligation to pay since the accident occurred on my “premises” while the mechanic was working for me, and he wants my insurance policy information so he can “handle this” through my insurance company.  This really bothers me because the accident was clearly the mechanic’s fault and I don’t think he should be paid by me or by my insurance company.  Does he have a legal claim in this case?  What are my rights? Answer: Before we address the legal issues, I need to advise our reader to tender this claim to his insurance company.  “Tendering” a claim does NOT mean that...