Our swimming pool drowning attorney has learned over the years that preventing swimming pool accidents requires understanding the risks posed by each type of pool as well as the unique vulnerabilities faced by certain victims.  For example, special consideration must be given to pools that have slides or waterfalls, because those devices often present swimming dangers by making it difficult to see swimmers who may be in danger underneath those objects.  Pools that are special shapes may come with visibility problems that must also be guarded against.  No matter what the case, however, it is incumbent upon pool owners and operators to account for any aspects of the recreational area which may place others in dangers.

Besides understanding the unique dangers caused by the pool’s physical characteristics, owners and operators must also be cognizant of the specific individuals who may use the pool or be drawn to it.  In particular, those with pools must be aware of the chance that children will access the water.  It is well understood that our youngest community members usually do not have as much experience protecting themselves in the water and are often unaware of the dangers that the water may pose to them. 

The high likelihood that children will be drawn to the water make it incumbent upon operators to take common sense steps to protect those children.  However, that requirement is even more obvious when the owner specifically knows that other children are nearby.  On some occasions, nearby youngsters may also have unique vulnerabilities which may make it even more likely that they may be hurt by the water.  For example, Middletown Press reported this week on a tragic drowning accident involving a four-year-old boy who suffered from a rare form of epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome.

Police are still investigating the situation, but it seems that the young child was found in his neighbor’s pool late Saturday morning.  The neighbor’s attempted to resuscitate the child, but nothing could be done.  The boy’s condition made him particularly at risk of being harmed in the water.  He was on medication and experienced up to 200 minor seizures each day and one major seizure each week.  It remains unclear how the boy ended up in the pool, whether there was a properly secured fence in the area, or if any other pool conditions were amiss which may have contributed to the accident.

The swimming pool attorney at the J. Guerra Law Firm has year of experience helping all those who have suffered loss in these accidents.  The law is clear in demanding that all those involved in the care and upkeep of these aquatic spaces act reasonably to prevent harm to others.  When those individuals fail to take those steps and someone is injured, then a swimming pool lawsuitmay be filed to provide accountability and seek redress.  Please consider contacting our office is you or someone that you know ever finds yourself in this situation.  There is nothing to lose by sharing your situation with a legal professional to learn what options are out there.         

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What Every Police Officer Needs to Know About a Pool Drowning Investigation