Boston Maritime Attorneys Stress Importance of Drowning Awareness

This WCVB-TV segment from last April discussing a new technology that could help prevent drowning deaths. The video notes that with the weather becoming more favorable during this time of year, drowning is the second leading cause of death among children nationwide. As Tom Healey, the owner of the Wahooo Swim Monitors System, says in the video, “This is a public health issue.”

As we enter another spring season, April began with a number of drowning stories in multiple states. On April 2, a 5-year-old boy drowned in a pond in Crisp Count, Georgia. That same day, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that a 64-year-old fisherman was found dead in the Logan River in an accidental drowning. In LeFlore County, Oklahoma, a 2-year-old boy drowned in a drainage ditch after wandering away from his home. The Orlando Sentinel reported that a 4-year-old boy remained hospitalized after nearly drowning on a Disney cruise ship. In Mission, Texas, a 7-year-old boy was on life support after falling into a swimming pool over Easter weekend.

Many groups across the country are helping raise awareness about the safety precautions that can be taken to prevent drowning deaths and injuries. In San Diego, Rady Children’s Hospital and child safety advocates began a month long series of events entitled “April Pool Days” to provide tips after 86 children were brought to the hospital’s emergency department last year. The King County Sheriff’s Office in Washington state issued a press release that stated increased water recreation also meant an increase in potential drownings. The release noted that while recreational boating accidents involving powerboats had previously been the leader in fatal accidents on the water, paddle crafts—including fishing row boats—now account for most of the fatal boat accidents. King County encouraged the use of US Coast Guard approved life jackets, and the Arizona Game and Fish Department encouraged boater, anglers and personal watercraft users to have required safety equipment after an experienced kayaker drowned to death in the East Verde River on March 9.

It is important for everybody to understand that, contrary to popular belief, drowning is not a highly visible behavior. Instead, the instinctive drowning response is a natural set of behaviors detailed in this video:

As the video notes, a drowning person will not scream or shout, and help is often nearby but the situation is not understood. We certainly want everybody to enjoy fun in the water this summer, but we also hope that people are able to do so safely. You learn more about wrongful death claims for the families of drowning victims in certain cases by visiting our website.

Latti & Anderson LLP has more than a half-century of experience representing sinking survivors and the families of drowning victims resulting from unseaworthiness and nelgigence. If your loved one drowned to death as a result of another party’s negligence, fill out the form on this page to let our Boston maritime attorneys review your case or contact our firm at (800) 392-6072 to set up a free consultation.

Latti & Anderson LLP – Boston maritime trial lawyers