Water related activities always involve the risk of unintentional drowning. The risk increases with additional factors such as lack of barriers and supervision, unattended children near swimming pools and natural water settings, lack of life jackets in recreational boating, alcohol use, seizures and other physical disorders.

Drowning Statistics

• In 2006, there were 3,579 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States, averaging 10 deaths per day. An additional 514 people died, from drowning and other causes, in boating-related incidents.
• More than 1 in 4 fatal drowning victims are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another 5 received emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
• Nonfatal drownings can cause brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning (see Anoxic Brain Injury).

Source:Center for Disease Control / CDC

Preventing Unintentional Water Related Injuries

• Supervise all children around bodies of water
• Always swim with a buddy or where there is a lifeguard
• Avoid alcohol
• Take swimming lessons
• Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Use life jackets

If you have a swimming pool at home:

• Install 4-sided fencing that completely separates the house and play area from the pool area. The fence should be at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children.
• Clear the pool and deck of toys.
• Wear swim shoes with non-slip soles and prohibit running around the pool area

If you are around natural bodies of water:

• Know the local weather forecast before swimming or boating.
• Use U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets when boating, regardless of distance to be traveled, size of boat, or swimming ability of boaters.
• Know and obey warnings of colored beach flags.
• Watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents

If your loved one has suffered drowning injuries or wrongful death due to someone else's carelessness, you may be entitled to damages. To contact an experienced personal injury or wrongful death attorney at Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff for a free and confidential case evaluation, fill out and submit the contact form on this page or call us toll-free at (888) 285-3333.