Swimming pools, beaches, water parks and boats can be dangerous areas for children as well as adults. In 2003, there were 381 accidental drowning deaths in Florida and 3,306 nationwide according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention statistics. Unintentional drowning is the leading cause of death of children between the ages of 1 – 4 in Florida every year according to the Florida Department of Health.

Drownings can happen very quickly and with little or no warning. Children lose consciousness after approximately two minutes under water. Brain injury occurs four to six minutes after submersion, according to Safe Kids USA. Most child drowning survivors without neurological damage are found two minutes or less after submersion. Most child drowning fatalities occur after the child had been submerged for over 10 minutes.*

Children who do survive a near-drowning can suffer lifelong consequences. Kids who survive near-drownings may suffer severe, permanent brain damage. After four to six minutes under water, the damage is usually irreversible.

Drownings and near drowning incidents are almost always preventable. Public pool operators have a duty to protect against foreseeable hazards by taking such measures as inspecting and maintaining pool fences, gates and locks in good working order to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised use of pools and spas. They must, in addition, inspect and properly maintain pool or hot tub drain covers to prevent suction entrapment, hiring qualified life guards, posting warning signs, as well as provide appropriate life saving equipment. Finally, pool operators must undertake such other safety measures as may be reasonable under the circumstances.

Owners of swimming pools or hot tubs on private property, including apartment complexes and condominium associations are likewise required to protect against foreseeable risks by taking appropriate safety measures to prevent accidental drowning and may be held liable for failing to do so.

Generally, owners and operators of public pools, pools in private homes, apartment complex pools and condo association pools have liability insurance which covers them for personal injury or wrongful death claims arising out of their negligent failure to take necessary precautions to prevent accidental drownings.

At Hannon & Boyers, we handle drowning and near drowning cases where the failure of pool owners to take reasonable safety precautions resulted in death or serious injury.

Hannon & Boyers, is committed to giving each client the time and attention he or she deserves. Our firm works as a team so that our clients get the benefit of the collective skill and effort of our experienced and highly trained attorneys, paralegals and investigators. Our legal team works relentlessly to obtain just compensation for our clients and their families.

Contact us online if someone known to you has suffered injuries or has been killed in a near drowning or drowning accident. Contact a Florida accidental drowning lawyer at Hannon & Boyers today.

*Statistical data obtained from Safe Kids USA.