As one can imagine, diving underwater and operating welding equipment poses many dangers, from drowning, attacks from marine life, and the bends. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must ensure that safety measures are in place to prevent injuries and fatalities. Still, even the most experienced divers can suffer life-threatening injuries and even death.
If you (or a loved one) are an underwater welder and suffered injuries on the job, a lawyer from our firm can recover damages. Through a personal injury claim or lawsuit, you could secure compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other injury-related losses.
What Are Some of the Dangers Associated With Underwater Welding?
The latest information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that in a single six-year period, there were 460 non-fatal injuries and 49 fatalities involving commercial divers. It notes that the following hazards pose daily threats while on the job:
Decompression (the “Bends”)
Harvard Health Publishing notes that decompression sickness can happen when a scuba diver travels to deep depths, then ascends too quickly. When you go underwater, your body takes in more oxygen and nitrogen. If you ascend too quickly, the nitrogen can’t leave your bloodstream fast enough, and you could experience excruciating joint pain.
Factors that may elevate the risk of decompression sickness include:
- Being female
- Having poor cardiovascular health
- Obesity
- Heart defects
- Cold water
- Lung disease
- Fatigue
Drowning
A welder’s equipment can malfunction, putting the welder at risk of drowning. For instance, air hoses may get tangled when multiple welders work on the same project. The tools a welder uses could prevent them from ascending before their oxygen tank runs out.
Near-fatal drowning poses a daily threat to commercial divers. Healthline notes that depending on the incident’s severity, one could suffer brain damage, pneumonia, and respiratory distress.
Hypothermia
Per Divers Alert Network (DAN), the average human body has a temperature of 98.6 degrees. When that temperature drops to 95 degrees, one can suffer hypothermia. This can even happen in tropical waters, like in the Gulf of Mexico, where many underwater welders in Louisiana work.
Employers of underwater welders should provide specialized equipment that prevents heat loss and hypothermia. When they don’t (or these items don’t work), a diver could suffer organ damage and other complications.
Electrocution
Water is a conductor of electricity. If a welder’s tools send off sparks or otherwise malfunction, a welder could get electrocuted. Combined with being underwater, this could lead to drowning.
Animal Attacks
Scuba Diving Magazine notes that attacks by marine life are rare, but they do happen. It notes that many meat-eating fish are naturally curious and may bite someone as a way of “feeling them out.” These animals include sharks and barracuda. If a diver isn’t aware of their surroundings, they could also get stung by a jellyfish.
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The Injuries an Underwater Maritime Worker Could Suffer
It’s not unusual for an underwater welder to get a cut or bruise from time to time. Yet, when serious negligence is at play, one may suffer:
- Crush injuries
- Electrocutions
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord trauma
- Organ damage
- Respiratory distress
- Pneumonia
- Lacerations
- Ear and nose damage
While underwater welders accept the possibility of injuries in their line of work, they shouldn’t be exposed to avoidable hazards.
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How Can an Underwater Welder Avoid Suffering Injuries?
Even for the most experienced divers, underwater welding is dangerous. That’s because a worker’s mind is focused on two things (welding and diving) rather than solely on being underwater. However, some things that happen are entirely out of a diver’s control, and rather, in the hands of a third party.
Avoiding injuries requires a diver, their employer, and other involved parties to:
- Ensure that all equipment works as expected
- Make sure that welders have scuba certifications
- Avoid working in inclement conditions (for instance, churning waters)
- Explain any possible dangers to a diving crew beforehand
- Responding promptly to distress signals
- Rendering appropriate aid if a diver surfaces and has serious injuries
Negligence is at the core of many underwater welding claims. For instance, suppose that a diver’s air tubes get tangled, and they send out a distress signal. Yet, the person monitoring the system was distracted with non-work-related tasks, causing the diver to suffer near-fatal drowning.
In that instance, the diver could file a claim against the dispatcher, arguing that because they didn’t respond promptly to the distress call, they suffered serious injuries. If you suffered injuries while on the job, you have the opportunity to partner with a lawyer.
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What Can I Expect From an Underwater Welding Accident Lawyer in Louisiana?
When you entrust your personal injury case to a lawyer, they have one goal: to recover compensation for your injury-related losses. They can support your case by:
- Listing your damages: These could include several damages, including pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost income. Your lawyer can evaluate your losses by reviewing your situation.
- Determining liability: Liability could rest with an equipment manufacturer, another welder, your employer, or another party. The evidence of that party’s liability could be malfunctioning equipment, witness testimony, or inspection records.
- Negotiating a settlement: Your lawyer may try to negotiate with the liable insurer to reach a fair settlement. This involves managing communications and understanding what your case is worth.
- Litigating your case: If necessary, a lawyer can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party and represent your interests in court.
Many personal injury lawyers (including the ones at our firm) work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing out of pocket to secure assistance.
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Call Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for More Information
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers advocates for underwater welders. We have more than 250 years of combined legal experience advocating for injured claimants, and we’re well-versed in both maritime and personal injury law. You have options if you or a loved one suffered an on-the-job injury. To explore your options during a free case review, call now.
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