Drowning Still among Leading Causes of Child Death
June 1, 2012 By Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
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New data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission lists drowning as one of the leading causes of death to children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued data indicating that drowning is still a major problem when it comes to fun in the sun activities. As the summer season rapidly approaches, the CPSC is launching their third consecutive year of the Simple Steps Save Lives campaign.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of injury and death for children aged one to four years old. There are near 400 children that die each year in these types of accidents. 75 percent of these deaths involve children under the age of five years old.
The highest number of deaths per year occurs in these states (in descending order): Florida, Texas, California and Arizona. While many children are killed, even more are injured. The CPSC estimates that there were 5,200 injuries related to drowning from 2009 to 2011. Sadly enough, a majority of these accidents happen at the child’s own home. These accidents can happen because of any number of reasons. More often than not, they could have been prevented.
One cause of drowning death is because of negligent security. Whether a parent, friend or lifeguard was on watch, any of the following can be guilty of negligence if a child drowned on their watch. Another fairly common cause of drowning accidents is defective pool toys and parts. Just about every year it seems as if another pool toy or pool drain is recalled because of a drowning hazard. When vital parts break on these products, consumers suffer the consequences.
The Pool & Spa Safety Act was enacted back in 2007 to prevent these types of injury and death from happening. If you are unsure of whether or not your home pool or spa is in compliance with these safety standards then you can read a comprehensive explanation of the act online. The major area of non-compliance with this act is in regards to drain covers. If there is an improper, broken or no cover at all on your pool or spa’s drain, children and adults alike can become trapped underwater by the powerful suction.
If your child or someone you know was killed in a drowning accident then you may be able to recover compensation. If the negligence of another is what contributed to the accident, either by way of negligent watching or by a defective product, then the remaining family members of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Make sure you obtain the help of a skilled attorney who can fight affectively on your behalf.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry is a personal injury law firm serving those who have become injured in the Houston, Texas area. The firm has more than 100 years of collective experience in fighting for the rights of those who have been injured in accidents such as drowning or defective product accidents. Visit their website or call them directly today for more information on how they can assist you in filing a claim.
Copyright Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
More information about Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
The highest number of deaths per year occurs in these states (in descending order): Florida, Texas, California and Arizona. While many children are killed, even more are injured. The CPSC estimates that there were 5,200 injuries related to drowning from 2009 to 2011. Sadly enough, a majority of these accidents happen at the child’s own home. These accidents can happen because of any number of reasons. More often than not, they could have been prevented.
One cause of drowning death is because of negligent security. Whether a parent, friend or lifeguard was on watch, any of the following can be guilty of negligence if a child drowned on their watch. Another fairly common cause of drowning accidents is defective pool toys and parts. Just about every year it seems as if another pool toy or pool drain is recalled because of a drowning hazard. When vital parts break on these products, consumers suffer the consequences.
The Pool & Spa Safety Act was enacted back in 2007 to prevent these types of injury and death from happening. If you are unsure of whether or not your home pool or spa is in compliance with these safety standards then you can read a comprehensive explanation of the act online. The major area of non-compliance with this act is in regards to drain covers. If there is an improper, broken or no cover at all on your pool or spa’s drain, children and adults alike can become trapped underwater by the powerful suction.
If your child or someone you know was killed in a drowning accident then you may be able to recover compensation. If the negligence of another is what contributed to the accident, either by way of negligent watching or by a defective product, then the remaining family members of the deceased may file a wrongful death claim against the responsible party. Make sure you obtain the help of a skilled attorney who can fight affectively on your behalf.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry is a personal injury law firm serving those who have become injured in the Houston, Texas area. The firm has more than 100 years of collective experience in fighting for the rights of those who have been injured in accidents such as drowning or defective product accidents. Visit their website or call them directly today for more information on how they can assist you in filing a claim.
Copyright Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
More information about Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
View all articles published by Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
