Child Drowned in Swimming Pool Accident
An Antioch toddler tragically died after a swimming pool accident on 16 August.
What happened?
On the evening of 16 August, a toddler fell into an in-ground swimming pool in the backyard of a residence on Durness Court. The Antioch Police Department and the Contra Costa County Fire Department both responded to the residence at approximately 8:15 p.m.
Upon arrival, they found a 2-year-old female unconscious at the edge of the pool. Adult relatives had already pulled her from the pool and were attempting rescue breathing.
Paramedics immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Theses efforts continued while an ambulance transported the child to a local hospital. All life-saving efforts proved unsuccessful and doctors pronounced the child dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.
We send our heartfelt condolences to the family in this difficult time.
Determining Cause
The Antioch Police Department conducted a preliminary investigation and determined the young girl’s death was purely accidental. No criminal charges have been filed.
Common Causes of Backyard Swimming Pool Accidents
Unfortunately, backyard swimming pool accidents are not uncommon. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission estimates that 260 children under the age of five die in similar accidents each year. Common causes of these accidents include:
- No fence or unsecured fence around the swimming pool;
- Pool filters and vacuums;
- Diving boards; and
- Lack of supervision.
Swimming Pool Safety Recommendations
The Contra Costa County Fire Department issued recommendations for swimming pool safety at the beginning of the school summer break. They again issued these recommendations after a 5 July accident in which a 3-year-old Antioch boy died in the family swimming pool.
Their key recommendations are:
- Completely secure pools with a fence that encircles the entire pool perimeter.
- Secure pool fences with a locking mechanism.
- Alarm pool fences so people inside the home are notified whenever the gate is opened.
- Place safety covers on pool filters to prevent children from becoming stuck in the pool.
The fire department further reminded people that these same protections should be applied to spas, hot tubs, and other areas of water on a property.
Liability in Swimming Pool Accidents
Failure to make a basic effort to secure a swimming pool can make that person liable for any swimming pool accidents. A homeowner has a legal responsibility to make sure these precautions are in place.
In cases where the home is owned by the family that loses a child, liability is rarely pursued in court. However, in cases where the family is renting a home, the landlord has a duty to secure the pools. In these cases, a landlord is legally responsible for damages in a swimming pool accident.
Antioch Personal Injury Attorney & Wrongful Death Lawyer
I am Ed Smith and I am an Antioch personal injury lawyer. If a tragic swimming pool accident impacts your family, please call me at (925) 428-5220 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400. I am here to offer you free, friendly advice during this devastating time.
Unfortunately, in my 34 years practicing personal injury law, I have represented many swimming pool accident victims and their families. This gives me the necessary experience to fully help you.
My skilled injury lawyers are also here to help.
To see how I have helped others, kindly visit my Past Verdicts and Settlements page.
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My long and successful career allows me to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This is an association of top-performing trial lawyers from around the country. All of us have won multiple settlements and verdicts worth more than $1 million.
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Image Attributed to Wikimedia Commons
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