Diving Accidents / Aquatic Injury Attorneys

Activities involving water require particular attention to safety rules and equipment. Water activities can be fun and enjoyable but can quickly turn deadly if carried out negligently, without proper supervision, or without adequate safety warnings, procedures and equipment. Children are especially vulnerable. Specific rules apply to the use of watercraft, and failure to adhere to these rules could lead to boating accidents that result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection for occupants. Exposure to fumes from motors on boats can result in carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. The lawyers at SKWC have represented the families of people who have drowned as a result of negligence in the operation of aquatic recreational facilities, rafting trips, and aquatic rescue training.

Representative cases

$4,500,000 settlement in 2008 for a spinal cord injury that resulted in a young man being a tetraplegic.   The client dove into a lake at a city park and hit his head on submerged rocks. No warnings against diving or of the danger of the shallow depth or submerged rocks were posted.

$1,500,000 settlement in 2008 for the family of a fire department captain who died as a result of injuries from a near-drowning in the ocean during a surf rescue team training on personal watercraft.

$3,500,000 settlement in 1996 for the death of a man who drowned as a result of a negligently conducted river rafting trip.  The company used an inexperienced guide and an overloaded raft.  The raft wrapped around a bridge pillar, trapping the decedent under water and causing him to drown.

Aquatic Injuries

The city posted this no diving warning sign after SKWC filed suit on behalf of a young man who became paralyzed after diving at a city park.

Aquatic Injuries

Recent Pacific Northwest Injury Law Advocate Blog Headlines

WA Appeals Court Upholds $12.8 Million Award for Injured Firefighter

Posted on 21 February 2012

Firefighter Mark Jones fell 15 feet down the hole in the middle of a night in December 2003. He suffered traumatic brain inju... Read more


Think About This the Next Time You Look at a Wine Bottle

Posted on 30 January 2012

SKWC attorney, Ray Kahler, recently wrote an article for Trial News. In brief, Ray discusses the importance of adopting safer... Read more


Super Lawyer's National Blog Spotlights Karen Koehler & Her Blog

Posted on 19 January 2012

SKWC's very own Karen Koehler continues to gain recognition far and wide for her unique brand of blogging. Super Lawyers... Read more


Parents of 2 Year Old Who Died from Tylenol Sue Johnson & Johnson

Posted on 13 January 2012

On July 22, 2010, Daniel and Katy Moore of Ellensburg, Wash., say they gave their 2-year-old son, River Moore, Very Berr... Read more


Recent SKWC Spinal Cord Injury Blog Headlines

Work out & eat right for SCI bone health

Posted on 17 February 2012

People with SCI are at higher risk for osteoporosis due to lack of weight bearing on lower limbs.  Decreased bone densit... Read more


Nutrition and pressure sores

Posted on 16 February 2012

Those with SCI have the same protein nutrition needs as the general population.  This changes if a pressure sore develop... Read more


Factors associated with heart disease risk in SCI

Posted on 9 February 2012

Heart disease risk can be reduced by keeping cholesterol, waist circumference and other risk factors in check. Blood fats (li... Read more


Please don't Supersize Me - SCI nutrition and weight issues

Posted on 8 February 2012

Those with SCI need fewer calories than the non-paralyzed.  This is because metabolic activity decreases after SCI due t... Read more