The loss of a child may be the most difficult challenge a family can face. Tragically, children in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. drown or suffer a near-drowning injury at a swimming pool every year. In the aftermath of a drowning or near-drowning accident of a child, parents may misplace guilt on themselves not knowing their child’s accident could have been prevented had proper procedures and legal regulations been followed by the pool’s operator.
An experienced attorney can help family members alleviate the stress of dealing with the legalities of a child drowning or near-drowning accident. The Cochran Firm, D.C. represents the families of children who drowned or suffered a near drowning accident in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We have a team of dedicated and compassionate attorneys able to give you the legal advice you and your family may need in these challenging times.
The child drowning accident attorneys of the Cochran Firm, D.C. have the resources to investigate swimming pools across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We can help you recover compensation to pay for expenses like hospital bills, funeral costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Factors in child drowning accidents
The Center for Disease Control identifies proper barriers as the most effective means of preventing a child drowning or near drowning accident. Swimming pools without properly maintained fences and gates can place children at an undue risk for drowning. Failure to follow state and local ordinances concerning swimming pool fences and gates may constitute negligence on the part of the the swimming pool’s operator.
Other forms of negligence which can contribute to the drowning or near drowning accident of a child includes inadequately trained pool staff and lifeguards. Pool operators have a duty to properly hire, train, and supervise their staff to prevent innocent victims from being harmed. Pool operators who fail to recognize or correct the inadequacies of their staff can be held responsible for this type of negligence.
Swimming pools must ensure their drainage systems are compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Act. The Act aims to prevent children from becoming entrapped in the filtration system of a pool by providing a set of regulations swimming pool drainage and suctions systems must meet.
Facts about child drowning accidents
- Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under 15 years old
- An average of 390 children across the country will drown every year
- 67% of deaths involve children three years of age and younger
- Over 70% of child drowning victims are male
- 75% of drownings will occur at a residential swimming pool
How The Cochran Firm, D.C. can help families of children who have drowned
Allowing dangerous conditions to propagate themselves at a swimming pool may constitute negligence and premises liability on the part of the swimming pool’s operator. The Cochran Firm, D.C. is prepared to help you hold wrongdoers accountable by filing a wrongful death, premises liability, and other claims against a swimming pool’s operators.
For a free, prompt, and confidential consultation call the child drowning accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm, D.C. call 202-682-5800. You may also fill out a contact form online to have your case reviewed by an experienced legal professional. There are strict deadlines when filing a child drowning accident claim so please contact us at your earliest convenience in order to preserve your rights.
