As we see the restrictions easing down, the residents of Massachusetts are diving back into water sports like swimming, boating, and fishing. But, studies show that there are an estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings every year in the United States, including boating-related drownings.
Massachusetts itself has seen 18 reported drowning cases in May 2021 alone.
While drowning accidents with infants and toddlers usually occur in toilets, bathtubs, buckets, wading pools, and backyard pools, drowning cases among adults usually happen in swimming pools, lakes, and the ocean, and about 50 percent of those drowning cases are alcohol-related.
Supervising the infants and toddlers:
In a recent case, a one-year-old toddler drowned in the backyard pool at a family get-together. The happy moment swiftly turned to sharp, bitter cries when the child was discovered ten minutes later.
Studies reveal that most children who drowned had been out of a parent’s or other adult’s sight for less than five minutes before they drowned.
Parents or guardians of young children should constantly monitor them if they are near any body of water, big or small. Playing near or in a public or private pool, even taking a bath at home, can pose a serious danger. . Leaving toddlers alone even for a minute can be dangerous.
House pools are usually deeper than the manageable level for kids; it only takes a few seconds before they panic and disappear below the water’s surface without shouting or calling out for any help.
The common causes of drowning, and how you should prevent them.
No knowledge of swimming:
Not knowing how to swim is among the most common causes of drowning. Unfortunately, many adults and children step into the water without having any formal water-safety training or swimming lessons.
Therefore, it’s important to be under the supervision of a lifeguard or an adult who can supervise and assist you if you need any urgent help.
Not wearing a life-jacket:
If you love being in or on the water, and you want your child to feel this joy too, then make sure you grab your life jackets.Especially if you are boating, it’s important to have properly sized life jackets for every person in the boat. In the U.S. alone from 2019 to 2020, in 86% of all known drowning fatalities, the victim was not wearing a life jacket.
Boaters must wear a life jacket that fits them, and it must be readily accessible and in good shape.
Alcohol Abuse:
About 75 percent of drowning cases in adolescents and adults are due to alcohol abuse. Alcohol widely compromises the effects of balance, coordination, judgment, and basic motor skills, which badly influences a person’s ability to swim.
It’s important to avoid alcohol consumption before and/or during swimming, boating, or other water activities, and never assist children in water under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Drowning:
Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injuries in the United States.
Private pools must be fenced, and the failure to install one can impose civil liability on the homeowner.
The lifeguards at public pools should always be on duty and, if found neglecting their responsibilities, could also be held liable.
Boat owners have civil liability to provide life jackets or PFD for children under 12. If your child drowned because of the boat owner’s failure to provide life jackets, then the boat owners could be held civilly liable.
Boston Wrongful Death Attorney:
If your child has drowned in any body of water, where certain lifesaving requirements or prevention measures were not met, then you can file a wrongful death or personal injury claim. Contact a Boston wrongful death attorney as soon as possible to ensure that all leading factors to the accident are investigated and the parties are held accountable for their action.
Swartz & Swartz, P.C. has the best and most successful boston personal injury lawyer. Our attorneys have extensive experience with all types of injury cases and we can help you with the customized legal expertise that you need. Call our Boston, Massachusetts office at (617) 742-1900, or toll-free at 1-800-545-3732.
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