What We Know
We have unique experience handling diving related litigation
for over 25 years. With this experience this is what we know.
What we know is that when a diver or his/her family needs legal
guidance, counsel and representation following a casualty
offshore the diver does not want the attorney to learn about the
complexities of diving as the case progresses. The diver doesn’t
want his or her attorney to gain their experience through "on
the job" training at his or her expense. The diver doesn’t want
to teach the attorney about dive procedures, hyperbaric injury
and the complex standards and equipment “on the fly”. With over
25 years experience in the court room and "in the water" we are
not only familiar with the theoretical concepts we have
practiced our trade of diving law in the court room and dived
the tables and equipment and instructed beginner and expert
divers in the principles of diving. In investigating your claim
we will dive the site when necessary to preserve the evidence of
the event. We have the knowledge and experience to prepare the
investigation protocol so that valuable time is not wasted. We
will secure the witness statements so that their memories of the
event are not lost. We will preserve the equipment or breathing
medium as soon as possible so that key evidence is preserved.
And if a death occurred we will contact the medical examiner to
determine cause of death.
We know what questions to ask, when and how to ask them so that
the interests of our clients are protected.
What we know is that if you are a commercial diver you have
learned to accept the associated dangers and willingly deal with
them "on the job". We know what it takes to help protect you
from by employing the legal protections afforded you as a
maritime worker. We are committed to stand by you and assit you
when you need legal help. We are committed to provide you
consultation so that you are aware of your legal rights so that
you are equipped with the knowledge that the law is there to
serve you from the time you leave dive school to the time you
are ready to retire.
What we know is that if you are a recreational diver that you
should be properly instructed and guided from the time you first
time you first put on a mask and snorkel. You should be provided
dive gear that is appropriately designed and manufactured. As a
recreational diver you learn fundamentals during your
certification process but may not be aware of the legal duties
and obligations of the instructor, dive master or buddy. We
always seek to provide that information for you.
What we know is that if you are a public safety diver you
recognize that the costs of protecting the public you serve
oftentimes comes at a risk to your life and those of your
comrades. We know that as a public servant you are committed to
securing the skills and talents. We stand by you to assist you
in the drafting of the standards of your profession.
What we know is that as a technical diver you are well skilled
in the technology and equipment associated with “diving where
very few dare to go”. In such an environment you should also be
cognizant of the legal duties of those who market, promote and
encourage the more challenging dives. What we know is that
diving attorneys we should be well versed in the unique areas of
decompression illness, dive instruction, certification practices
of the recreational and technical agencies, United State Coast
Guard and OSHA regulations for commercial diving industry. We
pride ourselves in attempting to secure as much knowledge as
possible in these matters to better serve our clients and the
diving community. We pride ourselves at being on the cutting
edge of diving law in the following areas of the law as it
relates to diving:
Personal Injury and Wrongful
Death Products Liability
Jones Act
Diver Certification standards
OSHA and USCG standards for Commercial Diving
Maritime Contracts
Vessel Charters
Salvage Rights
Vessel Documentation
