Drowning Accident Lawyers
Did you know that 2022 marks the deadliest year in Denver, Colorado for water recreation-related deaths across the city, county, state, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs? Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed at least 36 water recreation-related deaths, with 34 drownings. Negligent supervision, lack of training, and no barriers or fencing around swimming pools are among Denver’s leading causes of drowning accidents.
Drowning accidents can be highly traumatizing to the victim and their family. The emotional stress, physical pain, and legal ramifications can take a toll on your mental well-being. Here is where The Bourassa Law Group comes in. Our experienced drowning accident attorneys offer personalized attention and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Our lawyers understand how drowning accidents can impact your personal and work life. In such challenging times, our team helps you overcome legal complications and turn your tragedy into an opportunity by helping you receive the help you deserve. Our team works diligently to achieve excellent results and alleviate your burden to help you focus on your recovery.
We would love to hear your side of the story and come up with the best possible solutions to help you and your family in this time of need. Call The Bourassa Law Group at 1-800-870-8910, book a free consultation, and seek the justice you deserve!
Table of Contents
Why You Should Hire a Drowning Accident Lawyer
Drowning accidents can lead to near-death experiences, death, or severe injuries that take months or even years to repair. Not to mention, drowning is preventable, and specific parties are responsible for ensuring that pools or public swimming areas are well-protected against these accidents.
By hiring a drowning accident lawyer, you can ensure that the right party is held accountable for the injuries and difficulties faced by your loved ones who have been injured or have died as a result of a drowning accident caused by the negligence of others.
Experienced drowning accident attorneys are well-versed in the laws and regulations of your state and know how to navigate legal complications and requirements to help you achieve maximum compensation.
What Would Classify As A Drowning Accident?
Drowning accidents occur when a person experiences respiratory impairment after being submerged in water and cannot resurface to breathe. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths around the world, accounting for nearly 7% of injury-related deaths.
Non-fatal drowning accidents can lead to severe injuries, such as brain and organ damage, and long-term hospitalization. Drowning accidents can occur as the result of multiple water activities, such as boating, swimming, fishing, water sports, in water parks, etc.
How The Bourassa Law Group Can Help
At The Bourassa Law Group, we are passionate about protecting your rights and helping you get the justice you and your family deserve. We know how impactful and devastating drowning accidents can be. The emotional, physical, and mental strain can profoundly impact your health and your personal and professional life. Our experienced drowning accident lawyers specialize in personal injury and offer personalized attention. For us, you are not just another client but a person whose mental health and financial challenges are our responsibility and priority.
If you have been a drowning accident victim and have no clue how to navigate the legal requirements and complications, reach out to us. Our experienced lawyers offer free consultations and work on a contingency-fee-basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless you do. Call now at 1-303-331-6186 and consult our experienced drowning accident attorneys today!
Steps To Take Immediately After An Accident
The moments after a drowning accident are extremely crucial. This is also when you are confused, in pain, and unaware of your surroundings. However, you must be vigilant and follow the steps below immediately after a drowning accident.
- Call 911 and report the accident as soon as possible.
- Call an ambulance if you or someone else is seriously injured.
- Consult with the police, provide all information, and get a copy of the police report for further investigation.
The time to file a drowning accident lawsuit varies in each state; thus, it is important to act fast and reach out to experienced drowning accident attorneys. At The Bourassa Law Group, our lawyers help you through every step of the way, from the hospital to gathering evidence and creating a concrete case to help you get maximum compensation for your losses.
Drowning Accident Cases We Handle
Our team at the Bourassa Law Group handles various drowning accident cases and strives to ensure that each of our clients gets the compensation they deserve. We work diligently around the clock and offer clear communication and guidance throughout the litigation process. Our team is well-versed in the laws and requirements for each lawsuit and handles the cases accordingly.
Following are some of the drowning cases we handle:
- Negligence: a negligence claim offers drowning victims the opportunity to seek compensation if their injuries and mental distress are caused by the negligence of an entity or individual responsible for the body of water or water-recreational activities. The negligence could be in the form of a structural problem, mechanical issues, lack of safety equipment, lack of fencing around the pool, and more.
- Wrongful Death Lawsuit: this lawsuit is filed when someone dies due to a drowning accident. The child, parent, grandparents, etc., may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit and receive compensation for the pain, suffering, medical and funeral costs, loss of financial support and benefits, etc.
- Premises Liability: a premises liability lawsuit is more or less similar to negligence. It refers to the negligence a property owner shows in maintaining safe conditions for people on their property. Drowning accident victims can file this lawsuit if their injuries occurred while they were on someone else’s property and didn’t follow the authorized “standards of care.”
- Attractive Nuisance: also known as property owner liability, this lawsuit is filed when a landowner’s property attracts children and risks their safety. The attractive nuisance law is imposed to treat children who trespass in the same way as an invitee; thus, the landowner must provide adequate warnings and eliminate potential dangers. If not, they will be held accountable for the injuries caused to the children.
The list only includes some drowning accident cases handled by our team at the Bourassa Law Group. Most of these lawsuits require personal injury lawyers, which our team specializes in. If you have been in a drowning accident and are looking for a reliable attorney, give the Bourassa Law Group a call. We’d love to help!
Common Causes Of Drowning Accidents
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for Colorado children aged 14 and under. Multiple factors contribute to drowning accidents, such as:
- Overcrowded areas
- Untrained or distracted lifeguards and staff
- Lack of safety equipment
- Defective equipment or design
- Lack of water clarity
- Failure to meet industry safety standards
- No fencing or gate around the pool
- Lack of supervision
- Contaminated water
Although many rules and regulations are implemented to prevent such accidents, they are still common. Thus, it is important to know the standard rules and regulations, reach out to experienced drowning accident lawyers when the need arises, and get adequate compensation.
Most Common Drowning Accident Injuries
Drowning accidents are severe and hazardous; if quick action is not taken, most lead to death. Aside from death, drowning accidents result in multiple severe injuries with long-term complications and hospitalization. The trauma, financial stress, and the inability to return to work can lead to mental distress and poor recovery; thus, professional help is necessary.
One of the most serious injuries related to drowning accidents includes brain damage. The lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to a coma or a vegetative state. Aside from brain injuries, drowning accidents can also lead to cognitive problems and physical impairment, such as:
- Vision or hearing problems
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Behavioral issues
- Depression
- Mental health issues
- Slurred speech or speaking difficulties
- Developmental or sensory impairment
As a result of these injuries and impairments, drowning accident victims are unable to return to their normal lives and support their loved ones like they used to. Thus, it is important to reach out to experienced drowning accident attorneys at The Bourassa Law Group and get professional help to ensure you are appropriately compensated.
What Does A Drowning Accident Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a drowning accident lawyer varies from state to state. Moreover, the overall cost also depends on the lawyer’s location, experience, and type of case. You can reach out to the Bourassa Law Group to represent you in court or negotiate with other parties on your behalf in case of any personal injury lawsuit.
Some lawyers have a fixed fee, while others charge hourly or per session. Some lawyers also work on a contingency-based fee, like us; this means we only get paid if you do. The fee we charge is a percentage of the total amount of the settlement or verdict we get for you. We also cover the upfront fees and costs, meaning you have to pay nothing out of your pocket.
What To Do While You Are Recovering From A Drowning Accident
There are three types of victims in a drowning accident; a distressed swimmer struggling to keep their head above water, a passive drowning victim (unconscious or below water), and an active drowning victim (unable to call for help). In all these cases, if the victim survives, they must be checked for any health issues.
Immediately call an ambulance and get yourself checked. Look for any obvious signs of physical damage and let the medical team run cognitive tests to ensure no mental impairments have occurred. After getting a hold of your senses, take pictures of what caused the accident, talk to the property owner, and gather evidence from different parties.
After calling the ambulance, call the police and report the accident. Don’t forget to collect a copy of the police report.
Many people are unaware they have been wronged and can be compensated for their injuries and troubles. That is why it is beneficial to reach out to drowning accident lawyers at The Bourassa Law Group. We can help you get professional legal advice and navigate the legal proceedings and requirements on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Types Of Compensation You Can Receive
As stated above, drowning accidents can lead to victims not being able to return to work or long-term hospitalization, meaning they cannot provide for their families like they used to for the time being. In such cases, victims can file a lawsuit and acquire compensatory damages. Compensatory damages cover a victim’s economic losses caused by an accident due to the negligence of an individual or entity. Moreover, the victim can recover current and future medical costs and lost wages. If a lawsuit is successfully filed, the victim can recover the following compensatory damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
In unfortunate cases, where the victim does not survive the drowning accident, their family or loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit and recover the following losses:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Costs of medical treatments that were given before death
- Income loss
- Any damage or incident-related expense
- Future income and employment benefits
Contact The Bourassa Law Group
Our drowning accident attorneys at the Bourassa Law Group can help you navigate the legal process and provide help and guidance wherever needed. Our team is well-versed in your state’s standard rules and regulations and ensures you get maximum compensation without any hassle.
We understand your emotional and physical hardships and ensure that our process is delicate, personalized, and suited to your needs and requirements. We make every possible effort to help you get adequately compensated. Contact our expert personal injury lawyers today if you are a drowning accident victim! Call us at 1-303-331-6186 and get a free consultation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For more facts on drowning, we suggest you check the CDC fact sheets. If you are interested in supporting a charity aimed at preventing drownings, we highly recommend Lifeguards Without Borders.
Who can be held accountable for a drowning accident?
Depending on the situation and the cause of the accident, multiple parties can be held accountable for a drowning accident lawsuit. For instance:
- Water park owners may be held accountable for negligence.
- Homeowners having pools may be accountable for not adhering to the proper standards of care.
- Public agencies may be responsible for beaches, lakes, and rivers.
- Manufacturers and distributors of safety equipment.
What documentation can an attorney use for a drowning accident lawsuit?
Attorneys use the following documents in a drowning accident lawsuit:
- Police reports
- Photos of the body of water where the accident occurred
- Witness statement
- Information and work schedule of the lifeguards on duty
- Results of a safety and surveillance inspection
How long do I have to file a drowning accident lawsuit?
The time limit to file a lawsuit varies from state to state and case to case. For most non-auto-related cases, you have two years to file a lawsuit after an injury. But the longer you wait, the harder it is to make your claim. Thus, you should reach out to drowning accident lawyers at The Bourassa Law Group as soon as possible and learn about your legal rights.
1-800-870-8910