How Many People Drown in Scuba Diving Accidents Each Year?
Drowning injuries and deaths from scuba diving accidents happen too often. The risk of death or injury increases when equipment fails, divers get poor instruction, or there is bad weather. Any scuba diving death due to negligence may warrant a wrongful death lawsuit, and you can sue if you are injured during a scuba diving accident as well.
Gas supply shortages and weight belt issues also contribute to drowning accidents. Whether the victim lives or dies, the plaintiff must file the lawsuit within two years. Damages can cover medical expenses, lost wages or financial support, and non-economic damages, all of which our attorneys can calculate.
For a free case review from the lawyers for injuries on snorkel and scuba dives of Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind, call (305) 204-5369.
How Many People Drown While Scuba Diving Each Year?
Though it can be done safely, scuba diving is inherently dangerous. No matter your experience level, you could drown because of things completely outside your control, such as the weather or a negligent boater.
The Divers Alert Network estimates that the fatality rate is 2 per 100,000 recreational dives. Non-fatal drowning injuries may happen more frequently, though there is a high risk of death in many situations, especially if equipment fails or a diver loses consciousness.
You need immediate medical attention for drowning injuries, which can be hard to get if you are out scuba diving. The scuba diving instructor’s inefficient response to an emergency situation could increase the risk of fatal or life-altering injuries.
What Are the Top Reasons People Drown in Scuba Diving Accidents Each Year?
People might drown while scuba diving because of defective equipment or inexperience, among other reasons. Let our lawyers investigate why a recent scuba diving accident happened to see if someone else is liable for the victim’s damages.
Gas Supply Shortage
Equipment problems, unsteady breathing, and negligent monitoring could cause a gas supply shortage, must likely nitrox. If divers run out of air before they reach the surface or get close, they might drown.
Weight Belt Problems
Divers use weight belts to help with their descents, and belts that are too heavy and will not release might cause drowning deaths. There are other weight belt problems that divers run into, whether because the equipment is defective or because the scuba instructor gives them too much weight.
Bad Conditions
Intense currents, incoming rain, and other bad weather might also cause drowning accidents. Divers might get swept away by currents, entangled in equipment or other items in the water, and drown. Scuba instructors should not let divers go out in bad weather and could be liable for drowning deaths as a result.
Poor Instruction
Whether you’ve never been scuba diving or consider yourself an enthusiast, you rely on your instructor. Not giving enough safety instructions and information and not properly monitoring divers could end in fatal accidents.
Scuba diving companies might have divers sign liability waivers. If a diver drowns, suffers injuries, or even dies, that liability waiver may not hold up in court. Liability waivers are sometimes unenforceable, letting victims or their survivors recover damages.
What if My Loved One Drowned in a Fatal Scuba Diving Accident?
If your loved one recently died in a fatal scuba diving accident, contact us right away. We can investigate what happened, determine if someone else is liable, and see if you are a qualified plaintiff to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
The company offering the scuba diving excursion may be liable. To determine if that’s true, we may interview others present during the fatal accident. Other divers may confirm how and why your loved one drowned. If your lawsuit goes to trial, their testimony is strong evidence.
If you are the victim’s personal representative, you can be the plaintiff. If you are also their spouse, child, or parent, you may get damages awarded in the lawsuit.
How Many Years Do You Have to File a Scuba Diving Accident Lawsuit?
The statute of limitations dictates how long you have to file a lawsuit after a scuba diving accident. This differs from state to state, so confirm the deadline with our lawyers.
Florida is a very popular location for scuba diving, and its statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years, according to Fla. Stat. § 95.11(5). Plaintiffs have the same amount of time to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal drowning accident as well.
Not all scuba divers die from drowning injuries immediately, and some might live for days or weeks at the hospital in critical condition. The date of the victim’s death dictates when the statute of limitations starts running for a wrongful death lawsuit, not the date of injury.
Our lawyers for injuries on snorkel and scuba dives will file a timely case on your behalf well within the statute of limitations so you don’t miss your chance to sue.
What Damages Can People Get if They Drown in Scuba Diving Accidents?
You may recover economic and non-economic damages after a drowning accident. Victims who survive may file personal injury lawsuits with our attorneys’ help, and deceased victims’ survivors can also turn to us to get compensation.
Any medical damages should be covered, including emergency treatment and evacuation to the hospital. If the victim dies, their medical and burial expenses should be paid.
Drowning injuries often cause brain damage, and victims may be unable to work again if they survive. This translates into lost wages, which our attorneys can calculate and prove. Deceased victims’ spouses and children may get compensation for loss of financial support as well.
Non-economic damages cover the intangible harms from drowning accidents, which vary for victims or their survivors. Let us help you understand and prove your pain and suffering following a scuba diving accident, whether fatal or not.
Call Our Scuba Diving Accident Lawyers for Help Now
Call (305) 204-5369 for a free case assessment from the lawyers for injuries on snorkel and scuba dives at Rivkind Margulies & Rivkind.
