Toddler Dies in Swimming Pool Accident
A 19-month-old was killed in a swimming pool accident the evening of July 14, 2010 after she fell and drowned in her family's pool in Pomona. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pomona police officials responded to a call in the 1700 block of Morrison Street. The infant was found unconscious and unresponsive. Responders attempted CPR on the child and took her to the hospital. However, she was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Officials believe the child may have fallen into the pool when her siblings were swimming. Officials also believe that the children were unsupervised at the time.
My heart goes out to the family of this child. I offer my deepest sympathies, especially to the parents of this little girl. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
Drowning and Near-Drowning
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children younger than 5 in California. More than 80 percent of drowning and near drowning incidents occur in backyard swimming pools, often because of a very brief period of inattention or lack of supervision. In 2005, there were 3,582 drowning incidents in the United States, averaging 10 a day.
More than one in four swimming pool accident victims are 14 years old or younger. Near drowning incidents can result in catastrophic injuries to children especially brain damage. This is because when a child is underwater for a long period of time, oxygen supply to the brain can get cut off.
The Importance of Adult Supervision
Especially in the summer, we see that a lot of these tragedies occur because of lack of proper supervision. These incidents can be easily prevented by making sure that adults are ALWAYS present any time kids are playing in the pool. If you have children over to swim in your pool, it is highly recommended that you have a designated child watcher, who will never take his or her eyes off any child. Please remember, if you have a pool party, you could be held liable for any drowning or near-drowning incident that occurs on your property or under your watch.
Victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization or even long-term care if the injuries are catastrophic. An experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can help victims better understand their legal rights and options in such cases.
What preventive steps do you take in your home to avoid swimming pool accidents?
None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.
