Skydiver Injured During Crash Landing
According to recent reports, a skydiver in his 30s with experience in the sport was seriously injured when he crash-landed in a field near the Oceanside Airport. The skydiver’s parachute apparently collapsed just as he was about to land, causing him to hit the ground hard enough to fracture the femur in his leg. Several employees of the skydiving company notified a medical helicopter crew at the airport who airlifted the man to a trauma center. There is no word on his current condition or prognosis.
The victim was said to have made hundreds of safe jumps in the past.
Skydiving: Dangerous Sport or Thrilling Adventure?
According to the United States Parachute Association, the sport of skydiving has become safer over the years. In 2013, there were 24 fatalities associated with skydiving, up from a low of 16 in 2009 but down from a high of 35 in 2001. However, the average number of fatalities when compared to the number of jumps continues to decrease, from a high of 42.5 in the 1970s to 22.5 in the present decade, or almost half of the death rate of previous years.
Despite the relatively small number of fatal jumps, however, most insurance companies still refuse to insure skydivers’ lives and many industries discourage the sport, citing unsafe conditions and a lack of regulation. Almost every skydiving fatality in history has occurred because of faulty equipment, not necessary due to error on the part of the skydiver.
Those who skydive state that the thrill they get from the activity far outweighs their perception of the risk. However, they are also aware that most people cannot understand this compulsion and that, if they are injured, they may have a much smaller chance of collecting damages than someone who is involved in another type of accident such as a car crash or a slip and fall.
If I Am Injured in a Sports Activity, What Should I Do?
Whether you are a thrill-seeking skydiver, a football player or a golfer, there is a chance of you being injured while playing your favorite sport. Sometimes these injuries are truly accidents, but in many cases someone’s negligence is responsible. Therefore, Dan Gilleon, a personal injury attorney in San Diego, makes it a point to provide professional representation for all sports enthusiasts who have been injured. Talk to him today about collecting compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.
