Residents of Illinois enjoy spending time in and on the water. From swimming and boating on the lakes and rivers, to splashing around in a backyard swimming pool, water activities are a great way to keep cool, have time together as a family, and relax on the hottest summer days. However, a day spent on the water does not come without risks and drowning accidents are an all too common tragedy, especially for children.
If your child has been injured in an accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
Drowning Accident Statistics
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), drowning accidents are one of the leading causes of injury-related deaths among children. Yet, even when children survive after a near-drowning, they can deal with lifelong and devastating injuries and complications.
Statistics on drowning accidents are alarming and prove that these types of accidents are a persistent problem across the U.S.
- On average, 10 Americans die from drowning every day.
- Drowning accidents are the second-leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of 14.
- Boys are four times more likely to drown than girls.
- Private, improperly fenced swimming pools pose the most significant risk to children.
- The leading risk factor of children drowning is lack of supervision.
Causes of Drowning Accidents
Property owners and managers of swimming areas have a duty to keep others safe. If they fail to do so, they could be held liable for a drowning accident that occurs. Some of the most common causes of drowning accidents include:
- Lack of fencing or gates
- Lack of life preservers
- Lack of warning signs
- No lifeguard on duty or lack of supervision
- Lack of proper lighting
Legal Liability in Drowning Accidents
If a drowning accident occurred on private property and the property owner’s negligence is found to be the cause of the accident, the property owner could be held liable for the injuries. Under the Attractive Nuisance Doctrine, even if a child trespasses onto an owner’s property, the property owner could be found liable for their injuries or death if they did not take adequate precautions to prevent children from accessing the swimming pool.
Owners and operators of commercial pools and water parks and governmental entities that operate public pools can also be held liable for drowning accidents if there was a lack of supervision, improperly trained lifeguards, defective pool parts, inadequate security or lack of fencing.
If a child drowns in a hotel pool or spa, or the drowning occurs at a private club, the pool owners could be held liable for the death. However, if there were posted warnings that children must be supervised by parents or guardians and they were not, the hotel or private club could be relieved of this liability.
If your child suffered a drowning accident, a personal injury lawyer can review your case and determine who may be liable and what damages you may be entitled to.
We at Mike Agruss Law are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
