Medical Malpractice Insights From Menzer Law Group

A trip to Hawaii gives visitors a chance at new experiences. Unfortunately, some of these new things can lead to harm, including shallow-dive and wave-related injuries.

Shallow-dive injuries

According to PubMed Central, diving into shallow water accounts for 3% of all spinal cord injuries among visitors to Hawaii and is most likely to happen on Oahu. This type of injury is more likely to affect younger demographics of visitors, with males being more prone to it than females. Approximately one-quarter of shallow-dive injuries involve alcohol.

Wave-related injuries

Wave-related injuries divide further into categories including board surfing, body surfing and skimboarding. Most injuries of this type involve incidents in which the visitors describe a wave “tossing” them. Collectively, wave-related injuries are more common than shallow-dive injuries, responsible for 28% of SCIs among Hawaiian visitors.

Wave-related injuries are more prevalent throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Ten beaches account for over half of all the injuries. Wave-related incidents are also more likely to result in injury to the neck, even compared to diving headfirst into shallow water.

Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in most wave-related injuries, but it is unclear whether this indicates that visitors were not drinking or that testing for alcohol does not take place as often as it should in patients with this type of injury.

Disclaimer: We share these blog posts to provide helpful, general information-but they’re not intended as legal advice. Reading this content doesn’t create an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about a specific situation, we encourage you to reach out to a qualified attorney.

These blogs may be of interest to you.

Matt Menzer Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®

Menzer Law Group proudly announces that our founder, Matt Menzer, has been recognized in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

Failure to Monitor Patients After Surgery: When Is It Medical Malpractice in Washington State?

Failing to monitor a patient after surgery can lead to serious injuries or complications. Learn more about post-surgery monitoring malpractice claims and how they can help injured patients recover compensation by contacting a skilled medical malpractice attorney today.

Do I Have a Claim If My Doctor Ignored My Test Results in Washington State?

Delayed diagnoses or ignored test results may trigger a medical negligence claim in Washington state. Learn more about your legal options today by discussing your concerns with a highly experienced and trusted Seattle medical malpractice attorney.
Trusted and Effective Legal Guidance When You Need it Most

At Menzer Law Group, our commitment to the well-being and recovery of our clients starts well before we step into the courtroom. We provide trusted and effective legal guidance every step of the way, ensuring that each phase of every client’s journey toward justice is handled with compassion and empathy. Our personalized approach and relentless advocacy demonstrate our dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes. By focusing on the legal claims and court proceedings, we enable our clients to concentrate on their recovery.