Swimming Pool and Drowning Accident Attorneys San Diego

San Diego is known for its sun and sand. Pools and water recreation are part of the culture here. In a 2007 survey conducted by San Diego County, some chilling facts were brought to light. For youth under the age of 4, drowning is the leading cause of death, and in all of California, our county has the second highest drowning rate.

Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US. Even though most swimming pool and drowning accidents are unintentional, many are caused by negligence or lack of care on the part of swimmers and swimming pool attendants. In cases that do not result in death, drowning victims may suffer from traumatic brain injury and never fully recover their quality of life.

Our San Diego swimming pool accident attorneys know that lack of protection around swimming areas is one of the primary causes of accidents. Improper fencing, pool covers, maintenance practices, and facility installation all contribute to the likelihood of a life altering pool accident.

Near Drownings and Secondary Drowning

Pool and water recreation accidents can also lead to secondary drowning – also known as ‘dry drowning’, a condition that occurs when someone ingests a large amount of water into his or her lungs in a short period of time. A small child who is submerged and rescued within 20 seconds of going under can still suffer from secondary drowning.  An NCBI study of near drowning cases found that nearly 5 percent of near drownings lead to secondary drowning symptoms.  What’s more, is that they found a significant difference between near drownings in salt and in fresh water, with the prognosis for recovery in salt water cases being much worse than in fresh water.  Also, near drownings in chlorinated and chemically treated water can lead to a condition known as chemical pneumonia.

If your child is involved in a near drowning incident, watch them carefully for sudden changes in energy and personality.  It’s probably a good idea to contact your pediatrician right away as well and explain both the situation and your child’s current state.  If they are experiencing trouble with breathing, cough, chest pain, sudden changes in behavior, or extreme fatigue skip the pediatrician call altogether and head straight to the emergency room.

Causes of San Diego Swimming Pool and Drowning Accidents

While many of these accidents are terrible tragedies, they are also grounds for personal injury suits arising from the negligence of parents, guardians, public water areas, the pool installation and maintenance industry, and even the lifeguards at the beach.

If you or someone you know has suffered loss due to a pool or drowning accident, you’ll need the guidance of a qualified lawyer. The swimming pool accident lawyers at Liljegren Law Group in San Diego are well acquainted with the laws surrounding pool and drowning accidents. Whether alcohol, lack of sanitation, improper construction, or the negligence of a lifeguard was the proximal cause of the accident, our team is dedicated to defending your rights and helping you receive the compensation you deserve.

It is within your rights to seek compensation from those whose negligence caused an accident. You may be eligible to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit to secure financial damages that will help you pay for costs associated with your loss or injury. Compounding medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of wages are only a few of the ways you may be compensated in your case.

Tips for Swimming Safety

It is our hope that caution and safety prevents you from ever suffering from the pain of a swimming pool injury or drowning. Follow these safety tips to decrease the likelihood of an accident:

•  Use extreme caution with alcohol. Alcohol is one of the main contributing factors to water-related accidents. Avoid alcohol completely if you will be supervising small children around water.

•  Learn CPR. Knowing the skills to save someone’s life in a drowning situation can turn a nightmare into a hero story in a matter of minutes.

•  Don’t rely on toys as floatation devices. If a float has not been deemed a floatation safety device, it may not be adequate protection against an accident.

•  Take swimming lessons. Knowing how to swim will significantly decrease the risk of being injured and improve the safety of everyone around you while swimming.

•  Pay attention to the weather. Knowing the weather forecast and remaining vigilant while enjoying your recreational activity can prevent weather-related accidents.

Call the Liljegren Law Group today for more information about swimming pool and drowning accidents. Cases are always reviewed by senior partner, Scott Liljegren, and you can rest assured that your rights will be fought for by our team from the beginning of your case until a settlement or damage award has been reached.