Boat Accidents
When watercraft operators aren’t paying enough attention or are operating their boats under the influence of alcohol, they may collide with or run over scuba divers. When this occurs, the operator of the boat may be legally at fault for any injuries the diver sustains. If the court finds the operator to be at fault, the injured scuba diver may receive monetary damages.
Guide Negligence
When you scuba dive with a licensed guide, you trust the guide to protect you and ensure that nothing bad happens to you during your dive. If the guide doesn’t do his or her job and you sustain an injury, you can often file a lawsuit against the guide or his employer for negligence.
Scuba Company Negligence
Many divers trust scuba companies to provide them with diving equipment, guides, surveillance and other supportive measures. If the scuba company provides you with malfunctioning equipment or an inexperienced guide, your diving experience may result in an accident or injury. Likewise, if the scuba company doesn’t oversee the diving process properly, you may find yourself in an unsafe situation. In any of these cases, the scuba company is negligent, and you may be able to sue for damages.
Equipment Failure
You should always check your equipment thoroughly before you embark on a scuba outing. In some cases, however, equipment that appears to be in working condition doesn’t function properly because of a manufacturing defect or low quality materials. If your equipment fails and causes you to sustain an injury, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the equipment.
File a Lawsuit
If you have been involved in a scuba accident and you believe that another party caused the accident through negligence, you should speak with an attorney as soon as you can after the accident. If your attorney determines that negligence may have caused your accident, he will file a lawsuit against the responsible party on your behalf. When your case goes to court, your attorney will represent you in front of the judge and/or jury, and he or she will provide you with support throughout the process. If the court finds in your favor, the responsible party may be required to pay your medical bills, as well as punitive damages to compensate you for pain and suffering.
If you or someone you love was involved in a scuba accident, contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your rights and options.