Swimming Pool Injuries and Deaths

According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “about one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.”

The most vulnerable age group includes children who are 1 to 4 years old. Tragically, the overwhelming majority of drowning incidents involving children of this age group take place in private pools. According to the CDC, “drowning is responsible for more deaths among children [aged 1 to 4] than any other cause except congenital anomalies (birth defects).” For children ages 1 to 14 years old, drowning is one of the major leading causes of unintentional injury-related fatality — only second to car accidents.

For parents to reduce the risk of unintentional drowning, here is some information on the common causes of drowning incidents:

• Lack of adequate fencing and barriers – Oftentimes, young children can gain access to pools without their parent’s knowledge. The presence of a four-sided barrier around a private home pool significantly reduces a child’s risk of drowning.
• Inability to swim – Swimming is a skill that must be taught through proper training. Research has shown that teaching young children to swim early on greatly reduces their risk of drowning.
• Absence of close adult supervision – Even with the presence of a life-guard, drowning can still occur. It is important for parents to closely watch their children whenever water is involved.
• Location – Swimming in the choppy ocean is a much different experience than swimming in a calm pool. It is important for swimmers of all ages to be adequately prepared to swim in different settings.
• Not wearing a life-jacket – The use of a life-jacket can mean the difference between life and death in many situations. Parents must make sure that their young child is fitted for the appropriate preventative gear.
• Alcohol use – Alcohol can negatively impact judgment, motor control, and reaction time. Often, it is a factor within a high number of drowning incidents.
• Seizures – For children with seizure disorders, the most common drowning risk isn’t a pool at all — it’s a bathtub. This is why it is important for parents to closely supervise their children any time water is involved in an activity.

Contact a New York Swimming Pool Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one were hurt or if your child was killed in a drowning accident caused by negligence, call the New York premises liability lawyers atHach & Rose, LLP for help. Our compassionate and knowledgeable attorneys will help you understand your rights and will aggressively advocate for your family during this challenging time. Call us at (212) 779-0057 to schedule a free consultation.