Drowning

While the thought of drowning doesn’t cross most adults’ minds, it certainly is at the top of the list among parent’s concerns. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are eleven drowning deaths per day in the United States and another 22 non-fatal drowning injuries per day. At the Miami personal injury law firm of Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, our lawyers represent individuals and families dealing with the tragic aftermath of serious injuries caused by drowning. Our compassionate attorneys understand the challenges that your family faces during this difficult time and caters our representation according to your unique needs, always keeping a focus on helping you obtain the compensation you need and deserve.

It’s a common misconception that “drowning” implies a fatal accident. While many instances of drowning tragically result in death, drowning technically involves a situation in which someone is unable to breathe because their nose and mouth are underwater. A non-fatal case of drowning is also called “near-drowning.”

When a person is unable to breathe because they are underwater, their brain begins to receive less oxygen it needs to function. If someone returns to the surface quickly, there may be no long-term damage; however, it doesn’t take long to suffer permanent damage from drowning. When this occurs, it is referred to as brain hypoxia, which is another word for prolonged oxygen deprivation.

Some of the life-long side effects that may accompany an incident of near-drowning include:

• Memory loss
• Limitation of movement
• Inability to focus
• Poor decision-making skills

In some cases, near-drowning results in someone entering a coma or suffering seizures. When this happens, their prognosis is largely determined by the amount of time the brain suffered a lack of oxygen. An experienced Miami personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options after a tragic accident.

Anytime water is present, there is the possibility of drowning. However, most serious injuries caused by drowning involve one of the following:

Boats are generally safe. Of course, this is not the case when a vessel is operated by an inexperienced, reckless or intoxicated driver. Approximately 75% of all fatal boating accidents involve drowning. While wearing a life jacket certainly helps prevent drowning after a boat accident, life jackets do not prevent all fatal drowning accidents.

State law imposes strict requirements for all public and private pools. For example, all pools in Florida must have a fence around the pool that is at least four feet high. Additionally, pool owners must install other safety features such as a cover or a pool alarm. When pool owners ignore these requirements, they place everyone—especially young children—are at a much higher risk of drowning.

Every child loves a day at the waterpark. And while most waterparks are safe, sometimes management cuts corners when it comes to ensuring a safe place for visitors. It may be that a waterpark’s attractions don’t comply with current regulations, or they may hire negligent lifeguards to keep an eye on guests. If you or your child suffered serious injuries at a waterpark, the owner of the park might be liable through a Florida amusement park lawsuit.

If you, your child, or another family member recently suffered the tragedy of a near-drowning or drowning, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. While nothing will ever turn back the hands of time to before the accident, the money awarded through a Miami personal injury lawsuit can help you overcome the financial challenges you are facing. At the South Florida drowning accident law firm of Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada, our attorneys proudly help families pursue claims against those responsible for their injuries or loss. We handle all types of personal injury cases, including wrongful death claims stemming from drowning injuries and deaths. To learn more about the services we provide, give us a call at 305-448-8585 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced drowning accident lawyer. We serve clients all over South Florida, including but not limited to Miami, Naples, Homestead, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.