According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, between May 1 and
August 26, there were more than 1,500 drowning deaths reported. A recent
survey also noted that more than one US state -Minnesota, Indiana, and
Pennsylvania–hit a record when it came to drowning deaths this year.
While generally, the number of drowning-related fatalities has gone down,
drowning continues to be the number two cause of deaths for kids in the
under 15 age group. That said, Pool & Spa News has said that up to
10% of drowning-linked deaths in a state can go unreported. One reason
for this is that the death may occur days after the incident. An example
of this would be respiratory failure triggered by near drowning.
Other statistics for this 5/11-8/26/11 time period:
• Almost 85% of the victims were male
• Over 400 of those that died were kids under age 13
According to a recent American Red Cross survey conducted earlier this
year, almost 80% of respondents said they intended to get into the water
this summer. However 20% considered their swimming skills to be limited.
Child Drowning Accidents
Our drowning accident lawyers represents clients in all US states. Unfortunately,
swimming pools, hot tubs, and wading pools can be dangerous places for
kids if there is inadequate supervision, the child cannot swim well, there
is no rescue equipment in the area, the pool’s drain is not one
that meets federal safety standards, the water is too murky, or the area
surrounding the pool is so poorly maintained that the risk of slip and
fall accidents goes up.
For every child who is the victim of pool drowning, four other kids will
end up hospitalized from a near drowning accident. 15% of them will end
up dying from related complications while at least 20% will sustain a
traumatic brain injury that can cost his/her family up to $200,000 a year
for the rest of the victim’s life.
You may be able to pursue damages against a negligent pool or hot tub
owner or the property owner where the pool or spa is located.
Reasons why you may be able to sue for the swimming pool accident (the
state where you pursue your lawsuit will have an influence on the type
of claim you would be allowed to bring):
Simple negligence,which can include poor pool maintenance, inadequate supervision, failure
to put up barriers to keep kids out when the pool is unattended.
Willful or wanton misconduct, which can involve a defendant that has engaged in behavior that any reasonable
person would consider conduct endangering a child.
Attractive Nuisance: Landowners are responsible for children who get hurt by anything on the
premise that might have attracted them.
National Drowning Prevention Alliance
Pool Safety
Summer Drownings Spur Call to Action, Aquatics International, September 2011
More Blog Posts:
Inflatable Pools Pose Significant Drowning Risk to Young Children, Says
American Academy of Pediatrics, Product Liability Law Blog, June 13, 2011
CPSC Warns that Water Walking Balls Pose Drowning, Impact Injury, and
Suffocation Dangers, Product Liability Law Blog, March 31, 2011
Mother Files $12.5M Oregon Child Injury Lawsuit After Daughter Nearly
Drowns in Pool, Product Liability Law Blog, March 9, 2011
To explore your legal options, contact our child injuries law firm to request your free case evaluation.
