In southern California the pool, the beach and the lake are in use all year, which is part of why a drowning is so rarely treated as anyone’s fault. But water that people swim in belongs to someone, and a drowning accident attorney begins by establishing who was responsible for supervising, fencing or maintaining it.
Legal matters may be the last thing on your mind after a drowning accident. Even so, it is important to speak to an experienced and caring lawyer such as Alejo Lugo as soon as possible in order to protect your ability to pursue compensation.
Do You Have a Claim?
All drowning accidents are tragic, but not all of them are actionable. In order to pursue a claim for compensation after a drowning accident, it is necessary to show the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Some common examples of negligence that lead to drowning accidents include:
- Failure to keep the premises safe
- Failing to properly supervise children in or near the water
- Lack of fencing around a pool
- Lack of safety equipment at a pool
- Defective swimming pool equipment
- Negligent hiring of unqualified lifeguards
- Failing to adequately train lifeguards
- Operating a boat while intoxicated
At The Law Offices of Alejo Lugo & Associates, we understand the complex liability issues surrounding drowning accidents. We can help you determine if someone is liable for a given drowning accident and then fight to ensure they are held accountable for your family’s pain and suffering.
We Handle All Kinds of Drowning Accidents
When most people think of a drowning accident, they think of a fatal drowning. However, drowning accidents can also involve near-drownings. In a near-drowning accident, the victim is deprived of oxygen for long enough to create permanent brain damage and other devastating injuries. In many cases, the victims of near-drowning accidents will require nursing care for the rest of their lives.
After any kind of drowning accident, the negligent party can and should be held liable via a drowning accident claim or lawsuit. The difference is what types of compensation may be available.
Following a fatal drowning accident, close surviving family members can recover damages including:
- Medical expenses related to the death (if any)
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of household services
- Loss of love, companionship, and care
Following a near-drowning accident, the victim can recover damages including:
- Past medical expenses
- Future medical expenses, including rehabilitation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing care, etc.
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Modifications to the home
- Assistive devices and transportation
After over 20 years of experience in personal injury law, Alejo Lugo is thoroughly familiar with the ins and outs of both wrongful death and personal injury claims related to drownings and near-drownings. You can rely on our firm for personalized attention and aggressive representation as we fight to secure the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Call Now to Learn More
If you have questions about a potential drowning accident claim, contact us at (800) 497-0018. We’ll be happy to provide a consultation in English or Spanish. We can come visit you in your home or the hospital at no cost to you. If your case has merit and you decide to hire us as your drowning accident attorney, we will represent you on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay a penny until after we win your case.