Swimming pool accidents can become deadly within just a few minutes. More common are near-drowning accidents which cause permanent disability or illness. A large portion of swimming pool accidents happen when the proper barriers and warning are not in place to keep children and others out of pools. In other cases, adequate supervision could have prevented injury or death. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a swimming pool accident our experienced Cincinnati injury attorneys can help.
Near-Drowning Brain Injury
It is very common for those who survive swimming pool accidents to incur life-altering brain injuries. Most victims who require CPR will have suffered damaging lack of oxygen to the brain. The result can be life-long disability, and that disability can be so sever that the victim can never live independently again.
Recreational Water Illness
Recreational water illness can occur in near-drowning, or just from falling in to a poorly maintain pool. The water may be inhaled, ingested, or merely come in contact with the skin or eyes to cause illness. Recreational water illnesses include:
- Respiratory infection
- Skin rash
- Eye infection
- Ear infection
- Diarrhea
Drowning Death
Drowning is obviously the worst outcome, and it can happen so fast. Toddlers can wander into pools and drown before anyone realizes they are missing. Adults can easily drown long before anyone notices they are in trouble. Most drowning deaths are silent, with no splashing or screaming. Consciousness is typically lost after only two minutes of submersion. Many drowning victims are unconscious from hitting their head before they hit the water.
Most drowning occurs when water is inhaled into the lungs, but something called dry drowning is responsible for about 10% to 15% of all drowning deaths. In dry a sudden rush of water causes the airway to snap shut and stay shut causing asphyxiation or jumping into very cold water causes the heart to stop.
Delayed drowning, sometime called secondary drowning, can happen several hours after getting out of the water. It is very rare, but a very real danger for near-drowning victims. A near-drowning victim who is conscious may be in danger of delayed drowning if he has the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Fatigue
If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, please call our Cincinnati injury attorneys or submit an online questionnaire. The initial consultation with our personal injury lawyers is free of charge, and if we agree to handle your case, in most cases we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary recovery of funds. In many cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. Please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.