Drowning Accidents

All across Illinois, including the Chicago area, there are many private and public swimming pool accidents, beach accidents and child drowning accidents. This could happen at a water park, a hotel, an apartment complex, and a sports club or health club facility or at the beach. Sometimes these tragedies occur at summer camps or when a defective or broken pool gate or swimming pool drain is a cause. Dangerous or defective pool drains could lead to entrapments that cause drowning deaths.

There are Illinois cases of pool operator negligence. These include negligence accountable to lifeguards, spa operators, sports club operators, beach club operators, public and private swimming pool operators and boaters who cause drowning accidents.

Some lawsuits filed in Chicago and Illinois name homeowners, parks, schools, motels, municipalities, hotel and motel operators, sports club operators and other owners of public and private swimming pool facilities as the defendants claiming negligent conduct.

Any child drowning case is an incomprehensibly tragic family event. It is imperative that after such event that the evidence is quickly collected and statements are taken before witness memories fade and physical evidence is lost. It is important to engage the services of experienced attorneys.

Every year more than 500 children under the age of ten years die in a drowning accident. These deaths are preventable and many time predictable given the circumstances. Too many other children and adults are serious injured in swimming pools suffering unspeakable catastrophic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Thousands of children and adults are treated in emergency departments around the country and in Illinois for injuries suffered in swimming pools often caused by a defect in a diving board or when a person dives into shallow water.

Swimming pool accidents and drowning occur most frequently because of the negligence of supervisors or lack of supervision, missing or lacking warning signs or barriers preventing small children from entering certain deep water areas of the pool and because of overusing alcohol in adults and some adolescents. It has been shown statistically by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that during the summer swimming and boating season there may be more than 10 water-related deaths each day. That number is alarming. More 25% of the drowning deaths are of children 14 years of age or younger.

A major cause of swimming pool drowning is the presence of defective or hazardous pool equipment, particularly the drain mechanisms found in private and public swimming pools and spas. In some states laws have been enacted to require the installation of anti-entrapment drain covers coupled with other safety mechanisms to make to chance of a swimmer to become stuck or trapped by a pool drain.

Parents and pool supervisors need to be vigilant when it comes to watching over the use of swimming facilities whether it is at home, at a public or private pool or spa, a camp or water park. Children should never be left unattended even for the shortest of time. The users of swimming pools, young and older alike must learn the basics of swimming and water safety. Children and younger adults must be made aware of the serious dangers posed by the pool drains, pipes and other mechanisms of the pool’s operation. Be certain that the swimming you use is equipped with anti-entrapment drain caps to prevent swimmers getting caught in a drain. Make sure that the pool has life-saving equipment readily available including life preservers, floats and well-trained lifeguards and staff. If your home has a swimming pool on the grounds, the law of most Illinois municipalities requires barriers, fences and an alarm safeguarding the pool.

If you or someone you love has been injured or died in a drowning accident or swimming pool accident, please call us for a free immediate consultation. Robert Kreisman of Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Chicago and Illinois drowning accidents for individuals and families for more than 40 years.

Kreisman Law Offices has prevailed in trials and settlements in Chicago, Illinois and surrounding areas and successfully resolved cases for severely injured clients for over these many years.

With our years of experience in trying and settling drowning accident cases, Kreisman Law Offices provides the best possible services to our clients and have achieved unsurpassed results. Our service is unmatched. Please call us 24 hours a day at 312.346.0045 or toll free 800.583.8002 for a free and immediate consultation, or complete a contact form online. There is no charge for a consultation that will include an evaluation of your case, assessment of your damages such as lost income, lost wages, medical and hospital bills, past and future pain and suffering, loss of normal life and wrongful death.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
“We were devastated when our 31 year-old son was killed by a negligent driver. Kreisman Law Offices did everything to help us through this very difficult time, including coming out to the house several times which was a comfort. My wife and I were extremely pleased with Mr. Kreisman’s compassion and care for this very tragic and troubling time.” C.B.
★★★★★
“Bob Kreisman did everything possible in handling the trial of this case. It was devastating that I traumatically lost my leg above the knee in this truck accident. However, it was not an easy case to win. His staff was so prepared for the trial that it was not surprising that the settlement offers continued to rise until we finally accepted the multi-million settlement while the jury was still deciding the case. My wife and I were delighted that we could secure our future with this settlement. We thank Mr. Kreisman and his incredible staff for working so hard for our benefit.” T.P.
★★★★★
“My mother died because doctors dropped the ball. I called Robert Kreisman and he immediately set up an appointment for my entire family. We met at his offices and I was very comfortable that he would do the best for my dad and my brothers. He spent hours with all of us in preparing for depositions and he hired top notch experts, all of which contributed to an incredible settlement before trial. I know that he is dedicated to his cases and particularly to the people he works for and the people who work with him. He continues to be generous in contributing annually to my mother’s memory and to make known to the public the signs and symptoms of brain tumors.” V.S.
★★★★★
“My dad was ignored and mistreated at the nursing home that we placed him in. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we made a big mistake, particularly after my dad developed these terrible bedsores. We transferred him as we were contacting Mr. Kreisman. He was referred to us by a lawyer we have known for a long time and respect his opinion. Mr. Kreisman and his staff worked tirelessly to resolve this case. We were fortunate to have his services and will recommend him to anyone.” T.J.