Third Fatal Diving Accident in the Past Three Years at Famed Florida Shipwreck
The body of a missing scuba diver was found near a popular Key West shipwreck the day after she was last seen. The death is a tragic reminder of the potential dangers of scuba diving. The Texas woman was diving at the USNS Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg wreckage with her husband and two others when she went missing.
South Florida is a scuba diving destination, but the activity can be deadly if proper safety precautions are not followed. At Mase Mebane Seitz, our experienced trial lawyers represent individuals and their families who have been injured or killed in diving accidents off the coast of Florida.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a scuba diving accident, contact our office for a free consultation.
A Deadly Dive
According to KRIS 6 News, Jordan Jay Fisher was exploring the Vandenberg shipwreck when she did not resurface with the rest of the dive group. A divemaster stated that he lost sight of the 50-year-old Texas woman while returning to the mooring line after signaling for the group to return to the surface.
Reports indicate that the divemaster conducted several searches to locate the missing diver but was unsuccessful. A search and rescue team was able to locate Fisher the next day, near the wreckage. The Vandenberg was purposefully sunk in 2009 and currently sits at a depth of 140 feet.
A History of Diving Tragedies
Fisher’s death was not the first diving accident at the Key West diving attraction. Last year, the Miami Herald reported on two deaths at the shipwreck. In January 2020, a 59-year-old woman went into distress while diving from a local dive boat with her husband. In August 2019, a 52-year-old man was found unconscious inside the famed wreckage.
Florida routinely leads the nation in diving accidents and fatalities. In addition to the Vandenberg, the state has several artificial and natural dive sites that attract thousands of dive enthusiasts each year.
Causes of Scuba Diving Accidents
While some diving accidents are caused by a person’s underlying health conditions or their failure to follow safety protocols, others are caused by another person’s negligence. When a divemaster, dive instructor, boat operator, or other party fails to provide a safe environment for their charter guests, they must be held accountable. So too must dive ships which do not provide proper gear and equipment.
Common causes of diving injuries resulting in compensation include:
- Inadequate training;
- Lack of proper diving instruction;
- Failure to comply with Florida’s “Diver Down” law;
- Malfunctioning dive equipment;
- Lack of a lookout; and
- Dangerous water or weather conditions.
Learn more about common causes of scuba diving accidents from our resource: “Diving Injuries.”
Injured in a Dive Accident? Contact Mase Mebane Seitz for Skilled Representation
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a diving accident off the Florida coast, our dedicated trial lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our office for a free consultation. Our legal team has recovered millions on behalf of injury and accident victims.
Call (844) 627-3529 or fill out our online contact form today. We will fight for you and your family to get the maximum recovery possible. Get an award-winning legal team on your side.
