Providence Drowning Accidents Lawyer
Summer in Rhode Island means time at the pool or at the beach. Summer fun is great, but it also is the time when many accidents and injuries occur. Drowning accidents can happen not only in the pool or at the beach, but also on personal watercraft and boats. Pools and beaches are a great way to bring people together, but they can also bring about a number of accidents. If you had a loved one that was killed in a drowning accident due to someone else’s liability, it’s important to speak with a Providence drowning accidents lawyer.
Drowning Statistics
According to the World Health Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths worldwide, which accounts for 7% of all injury-related deaths. It’s estimated that around 360,000 people drown on an annual basis each year. The statistics show that men, children, and anyone with increased access to the water are the ones who are most at risk for drowning.
According to the CDC, on average, there are around 10 deaths per day that are (non-boat) drowning related. Around another 300 die each year just related to drowning in boating accidents. About one in five who die from drowning are children who are aged 14 and under. For each one who dies from drowning, there are at least another five who require treatment in an emergency room for non-fatal submersion injuries.
There are non-fatal drowning accidents as well. These victims tend to require significant future care, and often have brain damage that can result in long-term disabilities, including learning disabilities, memory issues, and even a permanent loss of basic functioning ability, like someone in a coma.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
One of the main causes of swimming pool accidents is the lack of supervision. It only takes a few minutes for a child who is unsupervised to get into a pool area and drown. Parents will claim to have been watching, but in truth, they were often distracted in one way or another.
If you own a pool, it’s important to protect children from being injured. You should have an isolation fence to keep the pool protected from children who may wander in and be tempted. Having a barrier around the pool has shown to decrease pool-related accidents, including drownings. Proper safety latches on fences and gates can be a good deterrent too.
While less common, swimming pool accidents can also occur due to damaged equipment or improper maintenance. Children are especially tempted by pools with diving boards, but it’s important to note whether or not the diving board is on a pool with the proper depth to support it. If someone dives off the board and the pool is too shallow, they can hit the bottom and become injured, and subsequently drown.
If you are letting your child swim at someone else’s pool or a public facility, look for risks like handrails and ladders that are not maintained or safety equipment that is missing or not in good repair. Watch your use of electronics at the pool as well, as they could cause issues if they fall into the water.
Contact a Drowning Accident Lawyer in Rhode Island Today
If you have a loved one who drowned or survived a drowning accident at someone’s pool, a public facility, or on the beach, a boat, or a personal watercraft, you may have a claim for negligence. It’s important to speak with a knowledgeable Providence drowning accident lawyer who can advise you. Contact Kiselica Law Firm today to schedule an initial consultation.
