Swimming and Drowning Accidents

Swimming and Drowning Accidents

When we hear about swimming and drowning tragedies, it is common to assume they are simply unfortunate accidents or the result of someone not knowing how to swim. However, the reality is that many swimming and drowning incidents are entirely preventable. They frequently stem from negligence, lack of supervision, or unsafe property conditions rather than a victim’s swimming ability. When proper safety protocols are ignored, families suffer the consequences.

Roy Injury Law has spent 35 years standing up for swimming and drowning victims across Louisiana. We have seen firsthand that these accidents rarely happen in a vacuum. There is often a chain of events or a specific failure that led to the injury or loss of life. Our team is ready to help you get to the bottom of what happened and determine if another party should be held accountable for your pain.

Types of Swimming and Drowning Accidents

Swimming accidents are not limited to backyard pools. They occur in a wide variety of settings, from public aquatic centers and water parks to apartment complexes and hotels. Each environment presents unique risks that property owners and operators must manage.

We handle cases involving many different scenarios, including:

• Drowning and Near-Drowning: Drowning results in death due to submersion, while near-drowning involves survival after suffocation in water. Both are catastrophic events that change lives instantly.
• Diving Injuries: Diving into shallow water or using faulty diving boards can lead to severe impact injuries. Warning signs are crucial in these areas.
• Entrapment: Dangerous suction from pool drains or filters can trap a swimmer underwater. This is often due to missing or broken drain covers.
• Slip and Fall Accidents: Wet surfaces around a pool deck are expected, but property owners must still use non-slip materials and keep walkways clear of unexpected hazards.
• Electrical Hazards: Faulty wiring or lighting in or near the water can cause electrocution, which carries a high risk of drowning if the victim is incapacitated in the water.
• Pool Toy and Slide Accidents: Inflatables can flip over and trap children underwater, while poorly maintained slides can cause impact injuries or falls.
• Waterborne Illness: When pool water is not adequately treated with chemicals such as chlorine or bromine, harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses can thrive.

Common Swimming Accident Injuries

The physical toll of a swimming accident can be extensive. Victims who survive often face a long road to recovery that requires significant medical intervention.

Common injuries include:

• Physical Trauma: Broken bones, deep lacerations, and cuts are frequent results of slips or collisions with pool edges.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Diving accidents are a leading cause of spinal damage, which can result in partial or total paralysis.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Hitting a concrete pool bottom or deck can cause permanent brain damage.
• Oxygen Deprivation: In near-drowning cases, the lack of oxygen to the brain can cause lasting cognitive impairments and memory loss.
• Emotional Trauma: The psychological impact on survivors and families is profound. Fear of water (aquaphobia) and PTSD are common after these traumatic events.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for Swimming and Drowning Accidents?

Swimming accidents are rarely “just bad luck.” Identifying liability is key to pursuing justice. Potential responsible parties include:

• Property Owners: Under Louisiana premises liability laws, property owners must maintain safe conditions, including secure fencing and self-locking gates to prevent unsupervised access.
• Lifeguards: Public pools rely on lifeguards for safety. If a lifeguard is distracted or inadequately trained, they may be liable for injuries that occur under their watch.
• Parents or Guardians: In private settings, adults supervising children must remain vigilant. Failure to supervise can lead to liability.
• Manufacturers: If a pool pump, drain cover, or ladder fails due to a defect, the manufacturer may be responsible.
• Other Swimmers: Roughhousing or reckless behavior by other guests can directly cause injury to innocent bystanders.

Evidence Needed to Build a Strong Case

To successfully claim compensation, you must prove negligence. This requires gathering substantial evidence to show exactly how the injury occurred and who was at fault.

At Roy Injury Law, we help our clients collect:

• Medical Records: Comprehensive documentation of all injuries and treatments is essential for calculating damages.
• Photos and Videos: Visual evidence of the scene, such as a broken gate latch or murky water, can be powerful proof of negligence.
• Witness Statements: Accounts from other swimmers or bystanders can corroborate your version of events.
• Professional Opinions: We often work with safety professionals or engineers who can testify about defective equipment or code violations.
• Incident Reports: Official reports filed with the facility or local police provide an objective record of the timeline.

Let Us Stand With You After the Unthinkable

A single moment in the water can change many lives forever, but knowing the right steps afterward can make all the difference. At Roy Injury Law, we combine experience, compassion, and relentless advocacy to help victims and families hold the responsible parties accountable and rebuild their lives. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We are ready to listen to your story and explain your legal options clearly.