Summer, unfortunately, always begins with terrible news of a child swimming pool drowning or near-drowning. If you or your child have had this traumatic experience in Missouri, you must be aware that this is not your fault, but the responsibility of the pool owner to guarantee safety for all patrons or guests. A knowledgeable Kansas City swimming pool accident lawyer at Dickerson Oxton, LLC will be able to discuss your available legal options and answer any questions you may have during this difficult time.
Causes of Drowning and Swimming Pool Accidents
During the summer, families often head to city pools, neighborhood pools, beaches, water parks, and lakes. Unfortunately, only some of these locations have lifeguards on duty. Pools of family and friends are often the most likely place to receive reports of child or even adult drownings. As a guest on the property, you are entitled to certain rights in Missouri to ensure your safety is protected during the duration of your visit. This may include providing gates around a pool that is unsafe for children or hiring a lifeguard at a large pool event. Additionally, if a grate or suction device is missing from the pool, guests should be warned that there is a dangerous aspect of the pool so they can steer clear of it.
Drownings remain the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4 and are the second leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 14. Additionally, according to the CDC, each day about ten people die from unintentional drowning and drowning is the 5th leading cause of unintentional injury death throughout the country. Furthermore, for every one child who dies from drowning, another 5 are hospitalized as a result of drowning-related injuries.
Drowning and Swimming Pool Accident Liability
If you or your child have suffered an injury at a swimming pool or other body of water, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and you should contact a Kansas City swimming pool accident lawyer as soon as possible. The owner of a pool that should be staffed by lifeguards, such as a city pool or neighborhood pool, will be liable for any injuries that occur as the result of either lifeguard inattention or damage in the pool. Property owners are equally liable for any injuries which occur on their property that should have been better supervised or warned. In the case of an injury which resulted in the death of a loved one, you are additionally entitled to bring a wrongful death action to begin the healing process. Compensation for these injuries includes the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitative care
- Lost wages
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Dickerson Oxton, LLC | Kansas City Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys
If you have experienced a drowning in your family, do not hesitate to contact a compassionate Kansas City swimming pool accident lawyer at Dickerson Oxton, LLC. Our attorneys have a deep understanding of how traumatic a drowning is to you and your family and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the closure you are entitled to. For your free case evaluation, contact our Kansas City office today.