Diver Injuries in Jones Act
& Maritime Claims

Divers injuries and dangers are specific to their duties and industry. Commercial divers are often classified as Jones Act seamen. Divers should not take the word of their employer that their claim is workers compensation. Immediately consult with a Jones Act lawyer before applying for workers compensation benefits or continuing accepting those benefits.

Many offshore industries use divers as support for their efforts. Divers may assist in the construction phase of a job as well as in salvage efforts when the site is closing down. While seamen face dangers on the water that far exceed the circumstances of most land-based employees, the risks of injuries to divers are even greater than those of traditional seamen involved in other tasks.

Divers must be concerned with injuries resulting from the effects of pressure on the body with the depths at which they work as well as other diving injuries resulting from the performance of work in the water. Injuries resulting from the change in pressure and its effects on the body may include arterial gas embolism, pulmonary barotraumas, pneumothorax, mediastinal and subcutaneous emphysema, injuries to and infection of the ear, decompression sickness, oxygen toxicity, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Possibly the most serious of these conditions are those related to lung injuries on ascension. On ascent, the air in a diver’s lungs expands as the pressure on the body decreases. If a diver fails to exhale properly during ascent, as the air expands, the lungs over expand and the increased pressure in the lungs may result in rupture. The rupture of the lung is referred to as pulmonary barotraumas, which can lead to several other dangerous conditions. Air that escapes from the lungs may enter the blood stream in the form of an arterial gas embolism. This occurs when air escapes into the pulmonary venous system, moves through the heart and enters the arteries. In this instance, air bubbles form in the blood and are carried through the body and expand, just as the air in the lungs did. As the air bubble increases in size it can become lodged in the smaller vessels of the body blocking blood flow. If this occurs, blood flow and the oxygen supply to a particular part of the body are reduced causing damage to the tissue and organs.

Equalizing pressure in the ears is important in diving. Generally, the eustachian tube, the connection between the ear and the throat, allows the pressure in the ear to equalize. If blockage exists in this tube, or if the diver moves too quickly for equalization to take place, the eardrum may rupture. A more common, but less serious ear problem faced by divers is swimmer’s ear. This painful infection occurs when moisture and bacteria enter the outer ear canal. Although swimmer’s ear can often be treated without the need for medical attention, it should always be checked to rule out a more serious condition.

Decompression sickness can occur when a diver resurfaces too quickly. Nitrogen gas inhaled from the compressed air tank enters the blood stream through the lungs as a diver descends. On ascension, the nitrogen releases from the organs and tissue, reenters the blood stream, returns to the lungs and is exhaled by the diver in gaseous form When a diver ascends too quickly, that nitrogen that is stored in the tissues cannot return to the lungs to be exhaled fast enough to remove the nitrogen from the body. The nitrogen gas expands on ascent and can cause gas bubbles to form in the bloodstream or even in the tissues of the body. These gas bubbles can block blood flow, as in the case of an air embolism, but they can also cause compression of lymph vessels and nerves. Compression of lymph vessels can cause swelling and pain, as the lymph system is unable to drain it can result in impaired function of the area controlled by the affected nerve, moderate to severe pain and possible irreversible damage.

Diving injuries require specialized medical attention from doctors familiar with these conditions. Claims require handling and attention from a lawyer that understands the complications related to diving injuries and the additional dangers commercial divers face.

Let Us Help You

The Ogletree Abbott Law Firm knows diving injuries and we can help you with choice of doctors and protect you from unscrupulous employers and their insurance companies. The first step is to call us or chat with us online. Get the information you need to decide whether you want to hire a lawyer or not. The more information you get the better choice you can make. Our lawyers are available to talk with you anytime. Call us about your diving injuries even if it’s just to ask a question.