Scuba Diving, Commercial Diving, and Dive Boat Accident Lawyer

California Maritime Injury Attorney Preston Easley Helps Victims of Scuba Diving, Commercial Diving, and Dive Boat Accidents in CA and Throughout HI Collect Maximum Compensation for Their Injuries and Losses

Whether you dive recreationally or for work, there are several ways for scuba divers to get hurt or even killed at the dive site in the open ocean; even when divers properly train for serious dangers and ensure that their equipment is properly maintained, tragic incidents still happen. It is crucial that all scuba divers, especially maritime workers who dive for their employment, fully understand their rights to take legal action if they are injured due to the actions of other negligent parties.

The Law Offices of Preston Easley is a personal injury firm well-versed in maritime law that serves injured scuba divers in Hawaii and California. Led by scuba diving accident attorney Preston Easley, our legal team will work tirelessly to gather evidence that will help support your claim in hopes of obtaining compensation for your injuries and other losses.

If you have suffered injuries in a scuba diving accident or tragically lost a loved one in a wrongful death accident, schedule a free initial consultation with our law office today.

What Are Common Accidents That Happen to Scuba Divers and Commercial Dive Crew Members?

Scuba diving can present several dangers to divers and other members of the diving staff due to injuries or illnesses. Some of the injuries and illnesses may be minor, but other injuries are more serious or life-threatening, often depending on the type or severity of the accident.

While some of us are certified scuba divers, others are rookies who may not have the proper training. Novice divers are then left to fend for themselves in the elements, which can result in severe injuries.

But whatever your skill level, accidents can happen regardless, and the negligent party involved in the accident should be held accountable for your pain and suffering or other symptoms.

Common examples of scuba diving accidents include the following:

• Abandonment by your buddy when diving together
• Bad oxygen
• Bites or stings from marine animals
• Charter company negligence
• Equipment failure
• Failing to assess scuba diver capabilities
• Failure to provide proper safety regulations at the dive site
• Ignorance of unsafe water conditions
• Improperly manned vessel
• Inadequate training in a dive tank or other setting
• Negligent dive instructors
• Poorly maintained equipment
• Scuba adventure with no certification
• And more

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Scuba Diving Accidents?

Depending on the type of scuba dive accident, injuries sustained by you or other divers could range in severity. In some cases, a diver may suffer catastrophic injuries resulting in new disabilities or other life-altering consequences. In even more tragic cases, an injured worker or recreational diver may suffer fatal injuries.

Common injuries suffered in scuba diving incidents include the following:

• Arterial gas embolism
• Barotrauma
• Decompression sickness, which is sometimes referred to as the bends
• Dehydration
• Drowning or near drowning
• Hypothermia
• Marine animal bites, including shark attacks
• Neurological injuries, including traumatic brain damage caused by asphyxia or anoxia
• Oxygen deprivation
• Pulmonary injuries
• Wrongful death
• And more

Contact our maritime law firm to discuss your personal injury case in a free review with our legal staff. As your attorneys, we will explore all your legal options, including the Jones Act, the Harbor Workers Compensation Act, and personal injury lawsuits. We will do everything to help you recover compensation from the at-fault parties, whether that be a cruise line, dive company, other divers, or other negligent parties.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Scuba Diving Incident?

There is a certain set of responsibilities for divers, their employers, cruise lines, and others involved in either commercial or recreational scuba diving.

The maritime employer must adhere to certain safety regulations to ensure the well-being of their maritime workers or civilian divers. Likewise, scuba divers have responsibilities to minimize the risks of accidents, including being aware of any illnesses, fatigue, weather conditions, and the limits of their training or experience.

To recover a fair settlement from the at-fault party, it is necessary to prove the other party’s liability by gathering evidence that establishes negligence. Examples of negligence may include inadequate diving instructions, failure to warn divers of unsafe conditions, failure to check diving or medical equipment, leaving divers behind, and more.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, there may be several parties who could be held liable for damages. These include the following:

• A commercial diving company
• A dive shop
• A recreational scuba diving company
• Boat operators
• Boat owners
• Breathing gas suppliers
• Cruise lines
• Dive operators and supervisors
• Other divers
• Reckless maritime workers and vessel crew
• Scuba diving equipment designers and manufacturers
• Scuba instructors
• The ship captain
• Third-party scuba companies
• Tour guides, tour brokers, and travel agents
• Other third parties involved in the accident in the area of your dive

What Kind of Financial Compensation Is Possible with a Successful Scuba Diving Accident Lawsuit?

With a strong scuba diving accident case, your attorney can help you recover a fair settlement to cover various damages incurred due to your injuries and losses. This compensation may come in the form of economic and non-economic damages.

Potential financial recovery may include compensation for the following:

• Attorney fees and court costs
• Disability, disfigurement, or dismemberment
• Lost income earning capacity if unable to resume former employment
• Lost wages if you are unable to return to work
• Maintenance and cure
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Past medical bills and future medical expenses
• Physical pain and suffering
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses
• Transportation costs, including emergency airlift expenses
• Wrongful death damages, including loss of support, loss of benefits, loss of companionship, and funeral expenses

In cases of extreme negligence, recreational or commercial scuba divers may also be awarded punitive damages, which are meant to punish the at-fault party and deter others from repeating similar mistakes. Punitive damages are not guaranteed. To learn more, please speak with our scuba diving accident attorney.

The estimated value of your personal injury or wrongful death case will depend on several factors, including the cost of medical care, the severity of your injuries, legal expenses, lost wages, and the level of negligence of the at-fault party.

Can Our Law Firm Help You File Wrongful Death Claims After Fatal Scuba Diving Accidents?

If you lost a loved one in a scuba diving incident, the Law Offices of Preston Easley offer our sincerest condolences to you and your family members. As your legal representation, we will fight tirelessly to help you recover the maximum compensation and bring justice to the negligent parties. With a successful wrongful death lawsuit, it is possible to recover funeral expenses, memorial costs, burial expenses, accident-related medical bills, loss of services or support, and compensation for the mental anguish suffered by surviving family members.

Is There a Time Limit for Injured Scuba Divers Seeking Monetary Damages?

If you elect to file a scuba accident lawsuit, you may have limited time to take legal action. Every state has its own statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits and wrongful death claims. Once the statute of limitations expires, you will be barred from recovering a settlement from the liable party. To avoid missing your chance of recovering compensation, our law firm encourages you to reach out to us as soon as possible.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Scuba Diving Accident Lawyer to Discuss Your Legal Options Today

We represent people who have been injured in scuba diving accidents and commercial diving accidents. We also handle diving boat accidents. Diving can be very dangerous. We successfully represented a commercial diver who was seriously injured while cleaning the propeller of a U.S. Navy ship at Pearl Harbor. We have represented divers who have been injured on diving boats and on U.S. Navy ships. We handle accidents for both passengers and crewmen on diving vessels. We can advise you of your legal rights in any diving accident.

Sometimes, scuba diving boats will move to a different location and leave people behind in the water. Many things can go wrong while diving. We will sue the equipment manufacturer if an equipment malfunction causes your diving accident.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may also qualify as an injured seaman under the Jones Act, which allows you to recover substantial compensation for any injuries suffered due to negligence or lack of reasonable care by your employer. Contact our law firm to help determine whether you qualify for Jones Act protections.

Whatever the particulars of your scuba diving accident case, we encourage injured parties to contact our law firm in a timely manner following the accident to discuss your legal rights and options for filing claims against at-fault parties.

Get in touch with us to schedule your free case review today by calling 310-773-5207.