888-843-8326 Drowning accidents can cause devastating losses and are often preventable. Even when the injury victim survives, drowning accidents can result in organ damage, brain tissue death, and other severe injuries.
If your loved one has died from a drowning accident or you’ve been injured in a non-fatal drowning accident, a Florence personal injury lawyer from CR Legal Team can help. We have served over 200,000 clients and have over 600 years of combined legal experience.
Drowning accidents are very often the result of negligence, and one or more negligent parties could be financially liable for your losses. Fill out our contact form today to get in touch with a drowning accident lawyer serving Florence. We Stand Up For You®.
Common Places Where Drowning Accidents Happen
Drowning accidents and injuries can occur in virtually any place where water is present. Common locations for drowning accidents include:
- Private homes
- Public swimming pools
- Recreation centers
- Lakes, beaches, and rivers
- Waterparks
- Summer camps and schools
- Hotels, resorts, and apartment complexes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children are far more likely to drown than adults. Drowning is the most common cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second-leading cause of death for children ages 5–14.
For a free legal consultation with a drowning accident lawyer serving Florence, call 888-843-8326
Major Causes of Drowning Accidents in Florence
A large number of drowning accidents are preventable and the result of negligence. Identifying the causes of drowning accidents is an important first step in determining which party or parties are responsible for resulting injuries. Below are some common causes of drowning accidents in Florence:
Lack of Supervision
Many drowning accidents result from a lack of appropriate supervision. For example, public pools, beaches, and waterparks might staff too few lifeguards, or adults might not pay attention to children in the water.
No Pool Barriers
Pool barriers keep unwanted guests away from pools. Pool owners can be liable if they fail to properly close their pool off from the public, especially if children are harmed.
Negligent Pool Maintenance
Property owners and managers are expected to perform regular maintenance on pools and other water features. Negligent maintenance can cause injuries from pool siding, cracked tiles, broken handrails, and other maintenance hazards.
Defective Equipment
Defective pool and watercraft equipment, such as diving boards, pool slides, pool pumps, and chemical substances for treating water, can harm guests. If defective equipment causes drowning injuries, the victim can file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Insufficient Warnings
Signs warning about shallow ends or a lack of lifeguards are important so that guests understand the risks of getting in the water. A lack of these signs can cause serious injuries.
Boating Accidents
Boating accidents are another major cause of drowning. Drowning can happen after boating collisions, or rough handling can cause passengers to fall overboard. Passengers may also drown if they aren’t wearing a proper lifejacket or flotation device.
Faulty Electrical Wiring
Pools with electric systems for things like heating or pool covers can become dangerous due to faulty wiring. Electrocution in the pool can cause severe bodily injuries in addition to drowning injuries.
Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs can impair coordination and increase the risk of drowning injuries, even in adults who are otherwise strong swimmers.
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Compensation for Drowning Accidents in Florence, SC
A Florence drowning accident lawyer can pursue compensation for all of your injury-related losses in a personal injury lawsuit. Compensable losses may include the following:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization costs
- Follow-up medical care and rehabilitative therapy
- Prescriptions and medical devices
- Lost work income and employment benefits
- Diminished lifetime expected earnings due to disability
- Non-economic damages (e.g., pain and suffering)
- Miscellaneous and one-time injury-related expenses
Certain injuries from drowning, like brain injuries or organ damage, may require indefinite care and monitoring. A lawsuit can account for these projected ongoing costs, as well as long-term losses like changes in your earning potential.
If your loved one has died in a drowning accident, your attorney can file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit to recover losses such as:
- Medical bills and expenses incurred before death
- Loss of income the deceased would’ve provided
- Lost inheritance or benefits
- Cost of replacement services the deceased would’ve performed
Click to contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in Florence today.
You Have Limited Time to File a Drowning Accident Claim
Per S.C. Code Ann. § 15‑3‑530(5), you generally have three years to file a lawsuit against a property owner or other negligent party for a drowning accident. The time limit for filing a wrongful death claim for fatal drowning accidents is also three years. Some circumstances, such as claims against a government entity, may shorten the timeline.
It takes substantial effort to build a strong claim, so you shouldn’t delay, even if it seems like you have plenty of time. Starting early allows you to gather stronger evidence and more accurately track your losses over time. If you wait too long and miss the deadline, you likely won’t be able to file a lawsuit for financial damages.
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Contact a Florence Drowning Accident Attorney Today
A drowning injury can radically change your life, and you deserve a chance to make things right again. If you have a case on your hands, time is of the essence. Contact CR Legal Team online or call us today to schedule a free case consultation and learn how a Florence drowning accident lawyer can help.
