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Has Your Family Experienced the Devastating Loss of a Loved One Due to an Aquatic Center Drowning?
Goldberg & Loren, the leading drowning lawyers in Portland, Oregon, are here to help you seek justice. Our dedicated team has extensive experience in handling these tragic cases and fighting for the rights of grieving families like yours.
We understand the pain and suffering you are going through, and we want to provide you with the support and legal expertise you need during this difficult time. With our proven track record of success, we can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence and obtain the compensation you deserve.
Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule a free consultation, and let us fight for justice on behalf of your family. Don’t let the negligence of others go unpunished. Together, we can make a difference.
What Is an Aquatic Center Drowning?
What exactly is an aquatic center drowning? It refers to the tragic incident when someone loses their life or nearly loses their life due to submersion in water at a public swimming facility.
These incidents can happen in various areas of the aquatic center, including swimming pools, water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools.
Drowning accidents can result from a range of factors, such as inadequate supervision, lack of proper safety measures, faulty equipment, or even overcrowding.
In some cases, the drowning may occur due to dangerous conditions that go unnoticed or unaddressed by the aquatic center staff or property owners.
The aftermath of an aquatic center drowning can be overwhelming and traumatic. Those fortunate enough to survive may face severe injuries, including brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or other life-altering conditions that require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation.
The emotional distress experienced by the victims and their loved ones is immeasurable, as they grapple with the loss, pain, and financial burden of medical bills and funeral expenses.
In such situations, it is important to understand the legal implications and seek the services of our experienced aquatic center drowning lawyers at Goldberg & Loren.
Aquatic Center Drowning Lawyers
When pursuing a claim, our lawyers will investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning accident, ensuring that all responsible parties are held accountable.
Determining liability in an aquatic center drowning case can be challenging. It may involve assessing the actions or negligence of the property owner, the aquatic center staff, city officials responsible for maintenance and inspections, or even the manufacturer of faulty equipment.
Our goal is to ensure that the injured person or the family of the deceased receives maximum compensation for their losses and damages. This compensation may cover medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Recovering from an aquatic center drowning takes time, both physically and emotionally. Enlisting the assistance of a compassionate and experienced lawyer can relieve some of the burdens and allow the victims to focus on their recovery.
Our lawyers understand the intricacies of premises liability and personal injury law and strive to provide the necessary legal representation to protect the rights of their clients.
Aquatic center drownings are tragic and devastating incidents that can have long-lasting effects on the victims and their families. By taking legal action, it is possible to hold those responsible accountable and seek the financial compensation necessary to support the recovery process.
Drowning is fast and silent. It can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. Drowning doesn’t always look as one would expect. [1]
Table of Contents
Common Causes of Aquatic Center Drownings
Inadequate supervision is one of the leading causes of aquatic center drownings. Whether it’s a lack of qualified lifeguards or distracted staff members, inadequate supervision can result in delayed response times and missed signs of distress.
It only takes a few moments for a drowning incident to occur, and without proper supervision, the consequences can be fatal.
Children ages 1–4 have the highest drowning rates. Most drownings in children 1–4 happen in swimming pools. [2]
Another common cause is the lack of proper safety measures. This can include missing or broken safety equipment, such as life jackets or safety ropes.
Inadequate signage and warnings about hazardous areas or deep water can also contribute to accidents. It is the responsibility of aquatic center owners and operators to ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place to protect patrons.
Faulty or poorly maintained equipment can also play a role in drownings at aquatic centers.
Malfunctioning drain systems, broken water slides, or faulty pool equipment can create dangerous conditions that put swimmers at risk.
Overcrowding is another factor that can contribute to aquatic center drownings. When a pool or water attraction becomes overcrowded, it becomes difficult for lifeguards and staff members to effectively monitor all individuals in the water.
This can lead to delayed response times and a higher likelihood of accidents occurring.
Common Injuries Associated with Aquatic Center Drownings
One of the most severe injuries that can occur in a drowning incident when someone survives is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). When a person’s oxygen supply is cut off for an extended period underwater, it can cause significant damage to the brain.
TBIs can result in cognitive impairments, memory loss, difficulties with coordination and balance, and even permanent disability. The road to recovery from a TBI can be long and challenging, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitative therapy.
Serious head injuries are also common in aquatic center drownings. The impact of hitting a hard surface, such as the pool edge or diving board, can cause skull fractures, concussions, or other head trauma.
These injuries may require surgical intervention and can lead to long-term complications, such as chronic headaches, cognitive deficits, or sensory impairments.
Catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord injuries, are another devastating consequence of aquatic center drownings. When a person is underwater and in distress, their movements may become frantic and uncontrolled. This can result in collisions with pool structures or other swimmers, leading to spinal cord damage.
Near-drowning incidents can also lead to secondary injuries, such as respiratory problems, pneumonia, or infection.
The lack of oxygen can have a profound impact on various organs in the body, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys. In some cases, near-drowning victims may require long-term medical treatment and suffer from ongoing health complications.
Survivors may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and survivor’s guilt. Emotional and psychological distress is common in aquatic center drownings, affecting both the victims themselves and their loved ones.
These mental health challenges can significantly impact the individual’s quality of life and may require therapy or medication to manage.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than any other cause.
In Oregon, drowning rates are the highest on the West Coast, and well above the national average: Oregon children drown at a 26% higher rate compared with the U.S. overall; for Oregon children ages 5 to 18, that jumps to a 68% higher rate. [3]
Premises Liability Claim for an Aquatic Center Drowning
To successfully file a premises liability claim for an aquatic center drowning, there are several key elements that must be established.
It must be proven that the property owner had a duty of care towards visitors to ensure their safety. Aquatic centers have a responsibility to maintain their facilities and implement proper safety measures, such as lifeguards or warning signs.
It must be demonstrated that the property owner breached their duty of care. This can be shown through evidence of negligence, such as failing to provide lifeguards or inadequate maintenance of the pool area. If it can be shown that the property owner did not take reasonable steps to prevent the drowning incident, they may be held liable for the damages.
A causal relationship between the property owner’s breach of duty and the drowning incident must be shown. This means proving that the lack of appropriate safety measures directly contributed to the accident. This can be achieved through witness testimonies, expert opinions, or surveillance footage.
It is necessary to demonstrate the damages suffered as a result of the aquatic center drowning. This can include medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and even wrongful death. It is essential to collect and document all relevant evidence to support the extent of these damages.
You Need Portland's Best Legal Representation
When pursuing a premises liability claim for an aquatic center drowning, you will need legal representation.
Goldberg & Loren is here to help. As experienced drowning lawyers, we understand the devastating impact these incidents can have on victims and their families. We are committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
Contact Goldberg & Loren today to schedule a free consultation, and let us help you seek the justice you deserve.
Sources:
[1] Facts & Stats About Drowning – Stop Drowning Now. (n.d.). Stop Drowning Now. https://www.stopdrowningnow.org/drowning-statistics/
[2] Drowning Facts | Drowning Prevention | CDC. (2022, October 7). Drowning Facts | Drowning Prevention | CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html
[3] Rideout, N. (2023, June 27). OHSU Doernbecher offers water safety tips to help prevent drowning. OHSU News. https://news.ohsu.edu/2023/06/27/ohsu-doernbecher-offers-water-safety-tips-to-help-prevent-drowning
Goldberg & Loren
6500 S Macadam Ave #300,
Portland, OR 97239
(971) 339-8080
If someone you loved has drowned at an aquatic center or swimming pool in Portland you maybe entitled to compensation for that loss. Contact us today to see if you have a case.
We Represent Those Affected by Aquatic Center Drownings in the Following Cities and Communities Near Portland, Oregon.
- Beaverton, OR
- Hillsboro, OR
- Vancouver, WA
- Clackamas County, OR
- Clark County, WA
- Columbia County, OR
- Multnomah County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Washington County, OR
- Skamania County, WA
- Yamhill County, OR
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