Every year, around 4,000 people in the United States die from drowning, and another 8,000 survive a near-drowning incident according to the CDC. While most of these cases are accidental, legal experts link them to negligence by third parties, specifically property owners.

Creed & Creed is a law firm that helps victims and survivors of drowning incidents in Louisiana's Delta region get the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been affected by a drowning accident, Creed & Creed can assist you in pursuing the justice you deserve.

Who is Most at Risk for Drowning?

According to the CDC, children under 15 years have a higher risk of drowning. That is because they are highly curious and less aware of the danger associated with drowning. Additionally, males are more at risk of drowning than females.

Males tend to engage in riskier behaviors, such as swimming in rough waters or diving into shallow areas. They may also be more likely to underestimate the risks associated with drowning, leading them to engage in activities that put them in danger. In addition, males are more physically active and therefore may be more prone to accidents and injuries, including drowning. 80 percent of individuals who drown are male.

Who Can be Held Liable for Preventable Drowning Deaths?

The liability of preventable drowning deaths depends on where the accident occurs. Here are some examples of parties that can be held liable in some of the most common drowning incidents:

Drowning on Private Property
The owner of a private swimming pool is liable for accidents that happen in their pool. Property owners must prevent unauthorized access by fencing, locking the pool, and supervising users.

Drowning in Public Pools
Just like in private property, the owner of a public pool is liable for deaths in their pools. Besides the owner, lifeguards and other staff who are mandated to watch over users or prevent unauthorized entry can also be held responsible.

Boating/Watercraft Drowning Accident
In a boating or watercraft accident, the liable parties could be the owner, operator, rental company, or boat/watercraft manufacturer. For instance, the operator can be held responsible for operating a boat or watercraft under the influence.

On the other hand, the owner can be liable for employing an unqualified operator. The manufacturer can be held responsible for producing boats or watercraft with manufacturing defects.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

In the event of a wrongful death as a result of drowning due to the negligence of another party, the deceased's closest surviving member, like the parent, spouse, or adult child, can file a lawsuit against the responsible party. In other circumstances, the deceased's representative, distant relatives, or siblings can file the lawsuit.

What is the Role of a Drowning Accident Attorney?

Our drowning accident lawyers will handle all the legal aspects of a fatal or non-fatal drowning incident. They will gather evidence of negligence, file a claim and/or lawsuit in the court of proper jurisdiction, and fight to get our clients fairly compensated.

Benefits of Hiring Wrongful Death Lawyers

Having handled wrongful death cases for 25 years, our drowning accident lawyers at Creed & Creed understand the ins and outs of filing a claim and fighting for fair compensation. Therefore, hiring an attorney who is experienced in handling drowning accident cases gives you access to a competent lawyer who will:

• Give a free consultation: Our accident attorneys will have an exhaustive look into the legal matter at hand and advice on your legal options available to you and your family.
• Gather evidence of negligence: Our team collects all the evidence required to prove that a property owner, lifeguard, boat manufacturer, or any other liable party was liable for the accident. Since our attorneys are always serious about their work, they will work to ensure that there is enough evidence to meet our burden of proof necessary to prevail at trial.
• Determine the compensation amount: Our attorneys will calculate reasonable compensation for the loss of a loved one, medical bills, funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages.
• Represent you in a court of law: After gathering evidence and determining the amount of compensation that is fair and reasonable, Creed and Creed attorneys will demand that our clients are adequately compensated for their loss and/or injuries in a court of law. We have won several awards, like New Star's best of the best, for helping several clients get the best outcome.

Talk to a Trusted Drowning Accident Attorney at Creed & Creed

At Creed & Creed, we're a husband and wife team that takes pride in helping our clients get the most deserved compensation after losing a loved one to severe injuries or drowning accident.

Contact us to learn more about how we handle drowning accident cases.