Jet Skis, SeaDoos, WaveRunners, water scooters and other personal watercraft can be very enjoyable to operate. Some people purchase these small vessels for regular use. Others may rent them while visiting the beach with friends or family.
Those operating personal watercraft are at risk of incidents, including collisions with larger vessels. Personal watercraft can also capsize, and operators may lose control when the water is choppy or there are multiple wakes. Collisions on personal watercraft can create a variety of hazards. People may sustain traumatic injuries, including broken bones or spinal cord injuries.
Other times, they may end up in the water. Even with a personal flotation device, a near-drowning could be possible if the person operating the watercraft doesn’t receive immediate assistance after they go into the water. While a near-drowning may not be a fatal incident, it can result in permanent injuries in some cases.
Nearly drowning can injure the brain
Professionals trained in maritime search and rescue understand that there is a limited window of opportunity to save drowning people. After roughly five minutes, the risk of the person sustaining a lifelong injury increases substantially.
People who are in the water, especially if they are unconscious, may not be able to support themselves or keep their heads out of the water. The longer they go without breathing, the greater the risk of a brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation. Anoxic brain injuries can completely alter the course of an individual’s life.
As with any other kind of brain injury, anoxic brain injuries can produce a variety of different symptoms. Some people experience changes in cognitive capabilities or sensory processing. Others notice the shift in their personality or motor function challenges. Unlike many other traumatic injuries, brain injuries typically produce permanent symptoms because the brain cannot fully heal itself.
People who nearly drown after an incident on a Jet Ski or other personal watercraft may have massive lifetime medical expenses to address. They may also have lost wages or reduced earning potential to consider. Depending on the factors that contributed to a personal watercraft incident, there might be multiple parties with liability.
Manufacturers, rental companies and those operating other vessels could be liable for a personal watercraft incident. Reviewing the circumstances that led to a near-drowning with a skilled legal team can help people hold the right party accountable for their injuries and the financial consequences those injuries inspire.