Atlanta, GA Accidental Drowning Lawyer

Swimming pools, beaches, water parks, and boats can be dangerous areas for children as well as adults.  Our Atlanta, Georgia accidental drowning lawyer knows that drownings can happen very quickly and with little or no warning.  Children lose consciousness after approximately two minutes underwater and brain injury occurs between four and six minutes.  Most children who survive a near-drowning without neurological damage are found within two minutes after submersion.  Most drowning fatalities occur after the victim has been submerged for over 10 minutes.

People who survive a near-drowning can suffer lifelong consequences including severe, permanent hypoxic or anoxic brain damage.  After four to six minutes underwater, the damage is usually irreversible.  Drownings occur either on public or privately owned property.

Public Pool Operators

Drownings and near-drowning incidents are almost always preventable.  Public pool operators have a duty to protect against foreseeable hazards by taking such measures as inspecting and maintaining pool fences, ensure gates and locks are in good working order to prevent unauthorized or unsupervised use of pools and spas. They must also:

• inspect and properly maintain the pool or hot tub drain covers to prevent suction entrapment;
• hire qualified lifeguards;
• post warning signs; and,
• provide appropriate life-saving equipment

Finally, pool operators must undertake such other safety measures as may be reasonable under the circumstances.

Private Pool Operators

Owners of swimming pools or hot tubs on private property, including apartment complexes and condominium associations, are likewise required to protect against foreseeable risks by taking appropriate safety measures to prevent accidental drowning and may be held liable for failing to do so.  Generally, hotels, as well as the owners and operators of public pools, pools in private homes, apartment complex pools, and condo association pools, have liability insurance that covers them for personal injury or wrongful death claims arising out of accidental drownings caused by their negligence.

Poor Pool Safety Conditions

Many incidents can be avoided by improving on and ensuring there are proper safety conditions met in and around pool areas. Hotels, apartment complexes, resorts, water parks, and other public pools have a legal responsibility to keep their patrons safe. Sometimes, proper security measures are not taken and this puts your loved ones at risk. Young children, babies, inexperienced swimmers, and others could be at increased risk if the pool area has one or more of the following safety risks:

• Broken ladders;
• Broken or no pool lights;
• Under-trained pool staff;
• No lifeguards;
• Lack of pool covers;
• No fencing around the pool area. This is extremely dangerous, as the pool can be easily accessed by any passerby;
• Lack of or no safety equipment;
• Exceeded pool limitations; and
• More.

If you lost a loved one due to these security risks, you need to call our Atlanta accidental drowning attorney immediately. We can help you hold negligent parties accountable and recover compensation for your losses.

An Atlanta Accidental Drowning Attorney Can Help You

At Ponton Law, we handle accidental drowning and near-drowning cases throughout the state of Georgia. These cases have the risk of death or serious injury results from the failure of public and private property owners and operators to take reasonable safety precautions under the circumstances. Ponton Law is committed to giving each client the time and attention he or she deserves.  Our firm works as a team so that our clients get the benefit of the collective skill and effort of our experienced and highly trained attorneys, paralegals and investigators.  Our legal team works relentlessly to obtain full and fair compensation for our clients and their families.

If you or someone you know has suffered serious injuries or death in a near-drowning or drowning accident, contact our Atlanta accidental drowning lawyer at Ponton Law today at 404-902-3154 or contact us online to schedule an appointment.  We offer a free case evaluation and we do not bill you for attorney’s fees and costs unless we obtain a recovery.