Barret v. Ambient Pressure & the new Robles v. AP

Some of you may know the resounding success Ambient Pressure experienced in the lawsuit they defended themselves from. The case was titled Barrett v. Ambient Pressure Diving, Ltd.

The suit was brought by the survivor of a Robert Barett, who by all accounts failed to turn his unit on. After a 4 year legal battle and a 2 week jury trial, the jury deliberated just 1 hour before returning unanimous verdict that Ambient Pressure was not liable.

AP was represented by the law offices of David G. Concannon. Concannon traveled to 4 countries and 7 states, including the scene of the accident and also obtained and became certified on the Inspiration rebreather as part of the defense of AP.

It is reported that Alex Deas, the designer and manufacturer of the Apocalypse rebreather and a competitor to AP was the plaintiffs lead witness.

Now we are learning that the widow of Mohatma Robles, a rebreather diver who died solo diving off of Long Beach has filed suit against AP and additional defendants. Reports indicated that Robles also failed to turn on his unit even though it is reported he was eventually found to have gas in both his 02 and diluent cylinder.

Tragic though these incidents are and I feel for those left behind, the law suits sniff of "ambulance chasing" to me. Lawyers offering no win, no fee deals in the expectation that the company will settle before it actually gets to any court and they, of course, get their 30%.

Glad that the legal system appears to have worked in this case.