Scuba Diving Accident Attorney

Scuba diving can be a great way to learn more about the natural world, exploring the rich biodiversity present under the ocean. However, when things go wrong, it can have devastating consequences. Sadly, scuba accidents are a fairly common occurrence, affecting thousands of people each year. Let’s take a closer look at this area, and what you can do if you have been injured by a diving accident.   

Why Do Diving Accidents Occur?

Let’s look at some of the most common reasons why you might have a scuba accident. Often, it will be because of a fault in the equipment. There are many ways that these problems can manifest. For example, you might have a poor respirator. This can make it harder for you to breathe, forcing you to return to the surface quickly. In other cases, you might have a tear in your suit, causing it to fill with water.

Another common reason why these accidents occur is because of inexperience. Diving can be a very dangerous pursuit, with a chance that something could go wrong. For this reason, you should take the time to learn the skills required before going out on your own or taking on a dangerous location. In some cases, though, you might have adequate supervision. This is often the case with tourists. When a problem develops, the professional divers aren’t able to get to them fast enough to render assistance.

It’s also possible that the problem might occur on the water’s surface. For example, another boat might enter the dive area. This can cause a hazard, particularly if a diver is ascending or descending at the time. It might also sever dive lines.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Dive Accidents?

As we’ve seen, there are several ways that a scuba accident might occur. But what are some of the most common injuries that divers receive? The severity of the accident can often depend on the way that it occurred. For example, it’s common for divers to get some bruises, as they might bump into things as they try to navigate along the bottom in their bulky wetsuit. 

However, there are several more serious conditions which you might face. For example, you might get a squeeze. This is where the pressure inside the suit is different to pressure outside. In some cases, this can make it harder for you to breathe or cause a pinching sensation. This is most likely caused by forgetting to stop and equalize your pressure on your way back to the boat.

In other cases, you might get decompression sickness, also known as the bends, which occurs because you came back to the surface too quickly. This can have a big impact on your lifelong health, often it can cause symptoms like heart attack, joint pain, or stroke. In some cases, the built-up nitrogen in your blood can result in death. The risk of serious injuries increases if you don’t enter a decompression chamber as soon after the incident as possible. In the most severe cases, divers have fallen unconscious underwater. Without supervision, they can lie there until they run out of oxygen. Divers can also die as a result of drowning, often associated with an equipment malfunction.  

How Can A Lawyer Help You After A Dive Accident?

If you’ve been engaged in a diving accident, you should make sure to get in contact with a lawyer as quickly as possible. They will be able to look into your situation and tell you whether or not you have a strong case. Often, this can require some investigative work to determine what happened. For example, they’ll need to examine the equipment used, interview witnesses, and get maintenance records. This can help them pinpoint what went wrong.

To prevent accidents, there is a range of strict provisions that the government has put in place to protect the health of divers. This regulates the procedures that the industry will need to follow. If the dive company has broken these rules, they can face very harsh penalties. It also means that you will have a strong suit, as you can show that their negligence caused the accident.

What Damages Can You Claim For?

After a diving accident, you will often have several injuries that you need to take care of. In this case, you will be left with a big medical bill, which you might not be able to afford. Thankfully, you might be entitled to claim for the damages that you occurred as a result of the diving accident.

Your personal injury lawyer will help you calculate your injuries, based on your unique situation. However, there are often several costs that you might be able to claim. First, you will often be able to get any medical costs that you incurred when trying to treat your injuries. If you will need to deal with the consequences of the accident for the rest of your life, you will need to estimate the future medical bills, adding them to your claim. In most cases, you’ll be able to claim for any lost earnings, if you were unable to work. The pain and suffering that you suffered in the diving accident will also need to be considered. In most cases, this can leave you with a sizable claim.

Contact The Injury Firm Today

While people understand that diving can be a risky activity when they agree to take part, most people have a reasonable expectation that they will safely return to the boat. If this doesn’t happen because of an equipment malfunction or the dive company’s negligence, you will be entitled to a sizable compensation claim. To give yourself the best chance of getting the damages you deserve, you’ll need to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer. In this area, the experienced team at The Injury Firm can help, making sure that you get the best possible legal representation. So, make sure to give us a call today and understand how a dive accident attorney can help: 954-951-0000.