In previous posts we have written about the tragic fatal accident involving a duck boat on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. The accident, in which a stranded duck boat that was waiting for assistance was hit by a barge, resulted in the deaths of two young women ages 16 and 20. The young women were visiting the United States from Hungary.

At the time of the accident the pilot of the tugboat was distracted by news that his 6-year-old son had encountered complications while undergoing eye surgery. Instead of piloting the boat in an attentive manner he was on his cellphone and seeking information relating to the surgery online using a company laptop.

This past August the man who was piloting the tugboat at the time of the crash entered a guilty plea on the charge of misconduct of a ship operator causing death. Earlier this week he was sentenced to a year and a day in prison as well as three years supervised release for the incident. In addition, he turned in his license as a mate that was issued by the Coast Guard.

Besides the criminal charges, in cases such as these where someone dies as the result of another person's negligence, a civil lawsuit may be filed by the loved ones of the deceased. While a wrongful death lawsuit cannot undo the damage that has been done, the financial compensation may make it easier for those who have been left behind to move on with their lives.

Source: CNN, "Tugboat pilot gets year in jail for fatal 'duck boat' accident," Sarah Hoye, Nov. 1, 2011