Young Child Drowned in Swimming Pool Accident
An Antioch toddler recently died in a tragic swimming pool accident.
Here at Edward A Smith Law Offices, our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends affected by this tragedy.
About the Tragedy
On 5 July at approximately 7:20 p.m., adults discovered an Antioch toddler floating in a backyard swimming pool. People immediately called 911 and began trying to save the child. Emergency dispatchers then instructed people on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Members of the police and fire department arrived at the house within minutes. Paramedics continued life-saving efforts upon arrival and transported the child to a local hospital. The hospital was unable to revive the boy. Doctors declared him dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.
Authorities identified the boy as a 3-year-old from Antioch. Authorities have not released any information about the owner of the pool.
Investigation of the Swimming Pool Accident
The Antioch Police Department conducted a preliminary investigation. This investigation found the drowning was likely accidental, not intentional.
However, if the investigation finds negligence on the part of the pool owner, that person could be charged with a crime.
Fire Department Warnings About Swimming Pool Safety
Shortly after the accident, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District released a video on its website. The video describes the key elements of pool safety for homeowners and for parents.
The fire department released the video in an attempt to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Unfortunately, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 260 children under the age of five will die in similar accidents this year.
This was the second child drowning in the local area in the last three months. In April, a one-year-old girl died in Concord. A fence surrounded that pool, but the child was still able to gain access.
Swimming Pool Safety
Contra Costa Fire’s video and other safety warnings about pools typically cover a series of precautions. Firstly, pools should be secured by a fence that completely encircles the pool. Gates on this fence should have some sort of locking mechanism that cannot be accessed by a child. Similarly, spas should have coverings that offer similar protections.
Additionally, gates to pool areas should have an alarm. These alarms can notify adults inside that a child is accessing the pool. Alarms are key because they provide warning even if the gate malfunctions.
Furthermore, pool owners are encouraged to secure drains with safety covers. These will prevent children from becoming stuck in the drains and drowning.
Additional Safety Recommendations
Many experts also recommend swimming lessons for children of all ages. Swimming lessons can even teach babies how to float. Some experts also recommend that families who own pools become CPR certified.
In the end, however, authorities say the most basic precaution is supervision. First responders recommend children are never unsupervised near a pool. They further clarify that young children should be under the direct supervision of an adult, not an adolescent.
Watch this YouTube video about child-proofing your pool.
Liability in Swimming Pool Accidents
Homeowners with swimming pools have a duty to take at least some of the above precautions. Failure to at least secure the pool is considered negligence. This negligence makes the homeowner liable for the fatal accident.
Pool owners are still responsible for accidents where a child survives. Injuries in nonfatal swimming pool accidents can be similarly traumatic for both the child and the parents involved.
Antioch Personal Injury Lawyer and Wrongful Death Attorney, Ed Smith
Antioch Personal Injury Lawyer and Wrongful Death Attorney
I am Ed Smith, an Antioch Wrongful Death Lawyer. If a swimming pool accident impacts you or a loved one, I encourage you to call me at (925) 428-5520. You can also reach me toll-free at (800) 404-5400. The call is free.
I have practiced wrongful death and personal injury law for 34 years. I have served as an Antioch personal injury lawyer for many of these years and am here to help.
My injury lawyers and I are highly experienced and we are here to help during this tragic time.
I also created the car accident reference site AutoAccident.com.
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Sources:
Image Attributed to Wikimedia Common
April accident: http://kron4.com/2017/04/03/baby-dies-after-found-unconscious-in-swimming-pool-in-concord/
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