Who should I call if my child is disabled because of a swimming accident?
If your child is disabled because of a swimming accident, you should call an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. As much fun as swimming pools are and as much as children and adults alike are drawn to them, there are an unfortunate number of risks when people jump in the water.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision, an average of 4,900 people received emergency care for injuries suffered in swimming pools and spas in the years 2011 – 2013. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) of the 47 percent of children who suffered swimming pool injuries, the injuries occurred at a residential swimming pool or spa; while 27 percent suffered injuries while swimming at a public pool or spa.
Swimming Pool Injuries and Children
According to the CDC:
- Non-fatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage
- More than 50 percent of drowning victims need to be hospitalized or transferred to
another facility after receiving treatment at an emergency room - Medical costs for near-drowning victims 14 years old and younger can cost more than
$8,000 for initial hospital treatment - For swimming injury victims that are 14 years old and younger, long-term care after an
accident can cost more than $250,000 per year - If brain damage is the result of a swimming related injury, the overall cost of medical
treatment and loss of quality of life can cost more than $5.5 million
If your child has been disabled as a result of a swimming accident, your child and your family may be entitled to compensation for your little one’s injuries. It does not matter whether or not the injury occurred at a public or private pool. Both public and private pool owners have a responsibility to keep their pools safe and up to code. Even if your child slipped out of your site for just a moment and suffered a swimming pool injury as a result, you may be able to recover money for medical bills, long-term care costs, and loss of quality of life.
Ways to Help Prevent Drowning and Swimming Related Injuries
While there are never guarantees for a person’s safety when swimming in a pool, lake or ocean, there are measures that can be taken to help prevent people from drowning and getting injured in pools. Some of these include:
Swimming Lessons Research indicates that children who receive swimming instructions are
less likely to suffer from swimming related injuries and drowning. The sooner a child knows how
to swim or at least float, the more safe they will be around water. They even have swim classes
for infants.
Supervision Having a dedicated adult (or older teen) who is lifeguard certified supervising a pool
area any time children are present, can help to prevent swimming pool tragedies. It is important
that this person is dedicated to keeping their eyes on the pool and/or spa at all times because
many victims of drowning and other swimming accidents, were missing for less than five minutes
when they were discovered unconscious in the water.
Barriers Four-sided fencing or fencing that completely surrounds a pool/spa area, reduces the
risk of children drowning and getting injured in a pool or spa by about 80 percent compared to
pools and spas that are only secured by three-sided fencing.
If your child is disabled because of a swimming accident, it may be in the best interest of your child and your family to discuss your situation with a reputable personal injury lawyer. You can call Cohen & Cohen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for a free case evaluation.
