Houston Drowning Accident Lawyer

Managing Catastrophic Injury & Wrongful Death Claims

Did you lose a loved one to a drowning accident in Houston or the surrounding area? Did you suffer a near-drowning injury? If these tragic events were caused by someone else’s negligence, then you could be owed significant compensation for your harm and hardships. Payne Law Firm can help you pursue that compensation with as little stress on your shoulders as possible.

Our Houston drowning accident attorneys have been representing the good people of Houston, Texas, for years. We would like to extend our legal services to you, too. We know that you are going through a lot after a drowning accident, so let us take over your case and manage it fully on your behalf.

To speak with a drowning accident attorney in Houston, please dial (713) 999-4801 and put a free initial consultation on your calendar.

What Are Some Frequent Causes of Drowning Accidents?

At a cursory glance, it might seem that a drowning accident is the fault of the person who drowned or nearly drowned. They must have had some sort of failing in their swimming ability that caused the issue – or that’s what it is often argued by insurance defense attorneys in drowning accident cases. After an investigation into the incident, though, evidence might be found that shows that third parties were liable or partially liable for the drowning.

Common causes of drowning accidents other than an insufficient swimming ability include:

• Lifeguard negligence such as not being able to recognize that someone is drowning.
• No lifeguards posted where they should be.
• No lifejackets available where they are necessary.
• Boating accidents caused by intoxicated or negligent boaters.
• Missing protective barriers around bodies of water and pools.
• Missing separators that keep novice swimmers out of deeper areas.

Where Do Most Drownings Occur?

Many drowning accidents take the lives of young children who wandered into a pool that was not barricaded or supervised. For this reason, many drowning accident claims are filed against homeowners and resorts that negligently allow young children to enter the pool area on their own.

Open water areas like the shore of a beach or a natural lake are the location of many drowning accidents each year, too. In places such as these, lifeguards should be posted to watch for anyone in danger. If no lifeguards are present, then warning signs should be placed in clearly visible areas.

Drowning Accident Prevention

Property owners can help prevent drowning accidents by hiring lifeguards and putting warning signs around the premises. They should also install pool barricades or fences that cannot be opened by unattended children. Because these simple steps are all that are needed to prevent most drowning accidents, not taking these steps can be seen as negligence, which justifies a claim being filed against the property owner if a drowning occurs.

What is a Near-Drowning Injury?

Not all drownings are fatal. When someone nearly drowns but is successfully revived, it is called a near-drowning incident or injury. Even though the victim has not passed away, it is likely that their life will never be the same afterward due to lingering injuries and complications.

Near-drowning injuries can cause:

• Brain damage
• Respiratory damage
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Extreme hydrophobia

When filing an injury claim after a near-drowning incident, you can seek damages for your physical injuries and mental harm like PTSD and a new fear of water. Factoring these damages into your claim can increase its value by better reflecting what you have endured.

Dial (713) 999-4801 whenever you are ready to talk with our drowning accident lawyer in Houston.