Scuba diving and snorkeling – and diving underwater in general – is an exciting and fun way to explore the fascinating underwater world. Another great thing about scuba diving and snorkeling is that you get to stay active and exercise while experiencing the underwater kingdom.
“Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular attractions, but many people do not realize that these activities can be dangerous and lead to serious injuries or even death,” warns our Philadelphia scuba diving and snorkeling accident attorney at Dan Doyle Law Group.
The vast majority of scuba diving and snorkeling accidents are preventable, while some of the most common causes of injuries while diving underwater include:
If you have ever been on a cruise ship, you probably know that scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular excursions and activities offered by guides. And while the vast majority of diving companies and operators take all safety precautions to prevent accidents and injuries, there are many companies that fail to follow safety regulations and procedures imposed by U.S. Coast Guard and federal law.
Our experienced scuba diving and snorkeling accident attorney in Philadelphia warns that many scuba diving and snorkeling companies cut corners on safety and put divers and snorkelers at risk of injury. However, divers and snorkelers are legally required to follow safety rules outlined by operators and diving buddies, too.
When a scuba diving or snorkeling company fails to ensure the safety of its divers and snorkelers, that company should be held liable for being negligent and failing to follow safety regulations. If you can prove that your scuba diving or snorkeling accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other damages and losses associated with your injury.
However, a diving or snorkeling company may attempt to shift the blame onto you by claiming that you failed to follow safety instructions or acted unreasonably (for example, by taking your mask off underwater or swimming too far away from the vessel). In this case, it is advised to consult with a Philadelphia injury attorney to protect your rights and determine whether or not the diving or snorkeling company acted negligently.
More often than not, scuba diving and snorkeling companies can be held liable for injuries due to their failure to properly supervise you when scuba diving or snorkeling and their failure to provide adequate safety instructions, including instructions on how to properly use equipment.
In other cases, scuba diving and snorkeling accidents are caused by the company’s failure to maintain its diving equipment in a safe condition and failure to get rid of equipment that is no longer safe or usable. Since scuba diving and snorkeling companies hate it when something gets in their way of making money, some of them are even willing to gamble on the lives of their divers and snorkelers by allowing them to scuba dive and snorkel in unsafe water or weather conditions.
Regardless of what caused your injury when scuba diving or snorkeling, you may be entitled to recover damages with the help of a Philadelphia scuba diving and snorkeling accident lawyer. Contact Dan Doyle Law Group to speak about your particular case. Call our offices at 215-987-3730 to get a free case evaluation.