Drowning Accident Lawyer

If Someone You Love Drowned in a Tragic Accident, Munley Law Can Help.

Swimming pools are great fun and can be a relief on those hot summer days. But what many families fail to realize is just how dangerous a swimming pool can be.  For more than 60 years, Munley Law has helped accidental drowning loss victims and their families. Let us help you get the justice you deserve for your loss.

Understanding drowning laws and pool owners’ responsibilities are key. Our attorneys are experts in Pennsylvania laws for drowning accidents. We provide FREE consultations and are ready to discuss your drowning accident.  Call us today, chat with us, or use our online contact form.

How Often Do Drowning Accidents Occur?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the United States. It is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle accidents for children ages 1 through 14.

Every year, there are an estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings and 8,080 nonfatal drownings in the U.S.  In fact, for every child who dies from drowning another eight receive emergency care from a non-fatal drowning. More than 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments do require hospitalization.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Drowning Accident in Pennsylvania?

Drowning is preventable. Those who own pools or are responsible for public pools have a duty to protect against known or foreseeable dangers. It is their responsibility to take simple steps that can prevent unauthorized or unsupervised use of pools or other dangerous bodies of water.

The right party to hold accountable for your loved one’s drowning will largely depend on the location of the accident.  The most common drowning accident defendants are homeowners or those responsible for:

• Public pools
• Private pools
• Hot tubs
• Resorts with aquatic features
• Resorts with beach access

What Are the Responsibilities of Pool Owners and Managers?

People responsible for pools, hot tubs, and resorts must inspect and maintain pool fences, gates, and locks. They must keep these features in good working order.

Also, pool owners must inspect and properly maintain all pool and hot tub drain covers. This prevents swimmers from being trapped or suctioned under the water.

Likewise, pool owners must hire qualified lifeguards, post warning signs, and provide life-saving equipment.

Similarly, hotels and resorts with beach access have the same duty of care. However, they also have a duty to warn guests about known risks like rip tides and undertows.

Owners of swimming pools on private property, including private homes, apartment complexes, and condominium associations are also required to protect against drowning risks by adopting safety measures to prevent accidents.

Pool owners who fail to follow these precautions will be held liable for any drowning accident.

Get the Justice Your Drowning Accident Victim Deserves. Get Munley Law

Most of these pool and resort owners have liability insurance that covers them from personal injury or wrongful death claims arising out of accidental drowning caused by negligence. Munley Law has experience in handling drowning accidents. If you need a drowning accident lawyer, you need Munley Law.

Our nationally recognized team is ready to help you. We are listed as the Best Lawyers in America and are partners have been board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Munley Law wins millions of dollars for our clients in settlements and verdicts and we would like to put our attorneys to work for you. Our lawyers collaborate on cases and that means that you get the benefit of having a team of lawyers on your side.

Our initial evaluations are absolutely FREE and we do not collect a fee unless we win your drowning accident case for you. Call us today or use our simple online contact form. We are here to help, so contact us today to get justice for your loved one.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drowning Accidents

Q: Who is Most at Risk for a Drowning Accident in Pennsylvania?

A: According to the CDC, there are certain factors that make drowning more likely:

• Not being able to swim: Not many children or adults know how to swim or admit that they’re weaker swimmers.
• Missing fences around water: Pool fencing can easily prevent wandering children from gaining access to the pool.
• Lack of supervision: A drowning can happen quite quickly, even in a small amount of water.
• Location: Drowning does not always occur in a swimming pool. According to the CDC, two-thirds of all infant drownings occur in the bathtub.
• Risky behaviors: Drinking alcohol, not wearing life jackets, and using drugs can all lead to unintentional drownings.

Q: What is an Attractive Nuisance?

A: The attractive nuisance doctrine states that a property owner can be held liable for any injuries to a child who was trespassing if the injury was caused by something that was likely to attract a child. As you can imagine, swimming pools are an example of an attractive nuisance. If the property owner failed to keep the property safe, they could be held responsible if the child drowns.

Q: How Can I Prove an Individual is Responsible for a Drowning Accident?

A: As with any personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove the following in order for a successful claim:

• The individual or company had a responsibility to keep you from harm.
• The individual breached that duty of care.
• Since the individual breached the duty, an injury occurred.
• The injury resulted in damages.

For example, you’re at a public pool. The lifeguard on duty is not paying attention to what’s going on in the pool. Your friend begins to have trouble swimming and begins to struggle in the water. They began to drown but the lifeguard does not notice. Your friend drowns and dies.

Since the lifeguard was not paying attention, they breached the duty of care. As a result, your friend dies, resulting in medical expenses and funeral costs.

Q: I Lost a Loved One in a Drowning Accident. Can I File a Lawsuit on Their Behalf?

A: Yes. If you lost a family member in a drowning accident, you have the right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to receive compensation on your loved one’s behalf. You will also be able to receive compensation for any funeral costs.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Drowning Accident Lawsuit?

A: In the state of Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. But remember, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to prove your claim. That’s why’s it’s best to contact a drowning accident attorney at Munley Law right away to learn your legal options and get your claim started right away.