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(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
(281) 587-1111
Drowning accidents can have devastating consequences, and when they occur due to someone’s negligence, it is crucial to seek legal assistance. In Houston, our dedicated drowning accident lawyers specialize in helping families pursue justice and compensation for their tragic losses. If you need a Houston Drowning Accident Attorney, we are here to help.
With over three decades of experience, we are committed to supporting you through this difficult time. Contact our skilled Texas drowning accident attorneys today at (281) 587-1111 to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
Our Top-Rated Houston Drowning Accident Lawyer has been trusted to get maximum compensation for victims for over 35 years!
and discuss your case with Houston’s leading drowning accident lawyer.
A small child can drown in very shallow water, and drowning accidents can happen in many places, including water parks, hotels, apartment complexes, lakes, and water drainage ditches. Property owners, including those with private pools, must ensure safety to prevent such accidents. Public swimming pools also have stringent safety requirements and regulations to prevent drowning incidents.
Legally, any party whose negligence led to or contributed to the accident can be held responsible. Landlords, public pool administrators, drain manufacturers, and private individuals are just a few possible defendants in a drowning-related wrongful death or personal injury case. Hiring a drowning accident attorney is the first step in protecting your rights.
Boating accidents often lead to tragedy. Many people drown after a collision with another boat or another object.
Drowning incidents can occur in various locations, but some areas are considered high-risk due to the presence of water and the potential for accidents. These locations include:
A young boy was at a model home while the adults were shown the home. He could get out of the model home, into the backyard, and drown in the pool. The commercial model home had no safety, drowning prevention, or child safety items. After a lawsuit was filed just before trial, the defendants settled the wrongful death lawsuit for a huge amount.
A boy was trapped in a drain that did not comply with the law. The boy was unconscious but was able to be saved and recovered fully. After a lawsuit was filed, the failure to comply with the required safety precautions forced the defendants to settle for a sizable amount. Our punitive damage lawyers claimed exemplary damages in the case.
If a loved one has died in a drowning accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for your losses. A wrongful death claim can be filed against the party responsible for the accident, such as a pool owner or operator, a manufacturer of defective pool equipment, or a government entity.
To file a wrongful death claim, you will need to prove that the defendant was negligent or reckless in their actions and that their negligence or recklessness caused the drowning accident. You must also provide evidence of your losses, such as medical expenses, funeral expenses, and lost income.
It is essential to consult with a Houston drowning accident attorney to discuss your options and determine the best course of action. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather necessary evidence, and advocate for your rights to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Here are some frequently asked questions about drowning accidents in Houston, TX:
A: The most common causes of drowning accidents in Houston, TX, include swimming pool accidents, boating accidents, and near-drowning incidents.
A: Anyone can be at risk of drowning in Houston, TX, but certain groups, such as young children and older adults, are at a higher risk.
A: Some water safety tips for swimming pools in Houston, TX, include swimming with a buddy, following safety rules, and being aware of one’s surroundings. Always supervise young children.
A: Yes, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim if your loved one died in a drowning accident. Consult with a Houston drowning accident attorney to discuss your options.
In Texas, you have two years from the date of the drowning accident to file a lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. You may be barred from seeking compensation for your losses if you do not file a lawsuit within this timeframe.
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act may be relevant in cases against public facilities or pool drain manufacturers. It is named after a 7-year-old girl stuck in a tub due to suction from the drain. Unfortunately, the girl drowned, and her family advocated for better pool safety standards.
The Act outlawed not ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 certified drains, required public pools and spas to be fitted with parts to prevent entrapment, and gave grants to states that passed similar legislation.
If a public pool used an outlawed drain or failed to take adequate steps to prevent entrapment, it may be responsible under this Act that drowning death was related to entrapment due to a drain.
Further, drains that do not meet the standards established in the Act may leave manufacturers liable.
Houston, TX, boasts numerous water attractions, including swimming pools, water parks, and natural bodies of water. While these attractions offer fun and enjoyment, they also pose a risk of drowning incidents. To stay safe, it is essential to follow water safety tips, such as:
Additionally, pool owners and operators in Houston, TX, must follow safety regulations, like installing fences around pools and providing proper supervision—safety measures designed to keep swimming pools as safe as possible.
In wrongful death or personal injury cases, the plaintiff must prove the following:
The defendant owed the injured or deceased party a duty of care (if injured while trespassing, it can complicate matters, though the attractive nuisance laws may apply if a child was involved and the property owner did not take adequate measures to secure the hazard, e.g., a pool);
The defendant breached that duty by failing to provide reasonable care to prevent harm to others; This can be swimming pool owners or others.
The defendant’s negligent actions led or contributed to the accident and resultant drowning or near-drowning, and the plaintiff has suffered damages.
Compensatory damages include economic damages, like medical or funeral expenses, and non-economic damages, like pain and suffering or disability, for a brain injury after a near-drowning.
If wrongful death is caused by a “willful act or omission or gross negligence” by the defendant, punitive damages can also be sought (Tex. Civ. Code Title 4 Sec. 71.009).
Different entities have different standards that qualify as negligence. For example, manufacturers may fall under strict product liability. Suppose a manufacturing, design, or disclosure defect exists in any of their products. In that case, they can be held responsible for the harm that comes from those products, even if they showed reasonable care in making the product.
More than 50 percent of all drowning incidents involving young children and infants occur in a swimming pool, making it crucial to address the legal implications of a Houston swimming pool accident. Many of the accidents count have been prevented with either proper supervision of the child or proper protection and maintenance of the pool area.
Here is an article about what you should do after a swimming pool drowning.
*An average of 300 children aged five and under drown each year in pools across the country
*An average of 2000 children aged five and under are treated for submersion injuries each year in the United States
*The cost of treating these victims can range from a few thousand dollars (for initial admission to a hospital) to * hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the injury.
Children submerged for more extended periods and then revived will likely suffer more severe and sustained brain damage. There have been incidences where a child’s hospital stay can extend over four months and cost a quarter of a million dollars!
Money is a secondary concern for the safety and well-being of a child. That is why most communities have relatively strict regulations regarding the proper enclosure of a pool to ensure it is inaccessible to the ‘wayward’ child. The number of drowning victims increases substantially in the summer in Houston.
Call our experienced personal injury attorneys for a free conference about your rights and options if you have lost a family member and believe another is at fault.
We have been helping Texas families after wrongful death for over three decades. Our preeminent-rated personal injury law firm has extensive experience in drowning cases/ Maybe we can help you!
Call us for a free consultation today at (281) 587-1111.
Baumgartner Law Firm
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy
Houston, Texas 77069
(281) 587-1111
Texas families have trusted Baumgartner Law Firm for over 35 years. Our reputation for getting maximum compensation has been earned through hard work and aggressive representation.
Contact Greg Baumgartner at Baumgartner Law Firm for a free consultation.
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