Three members of a single family died late last month in a tragic pool accident. The individuals were all enjoying the fun of a backyard pool on a hot day in June when tragedy struck. The youngest swimmer (an eight-year-old girl) began having exhibiting symptoms of distress in the deep end of the pool (approximately 7 feet deep at the deepest). The girl’s 62-year-old grandfather jumped in to try to save her. He too began having distress and his 33-year-old daughter-in-law jumped to rescue him. Tragically, all of the victims drowned. None of the victims knew how to swim.
This fatal pool accident shows just how quickly an afternoon of fun in the sun can turn tragic—especially if basic pool safety rules aren’t followed. The Red Cross of America recommends that:
- All pools, spas, and hot tubs are equipped with appropriate barriers (fences with child-proof latches)
- Young children are supervised at all times by a designated water watcher
- Anti-entrapment safety measures are properly installed on drains
In addition, the agency recommends the Reach, Throw, Row, Go method of rescuing a swimmer who is in distress. Simply put, rescuers should attempt the least-risky form of water rescue first (reaching for the victim—with a pole, branch, or other extension if necessary—while standing on dry ground or throwing a rope or flotation device) before using more dangerous methods like going in the water themselves.
Minimum safety measures must be in place in order to prevent accidental drowning in a pool accident in New York City. If the pool owner fails to implement these measures, the pool owner could be held liable for any injuries or accidental drownings regardless of whether the owner is a private individual, corporate entity (like a hotel) or a municipality.
If you have been injured at a pool or have lost a loved one in a fatal drowning, contact an experienced pool accident attorney in New York City as soon as you can. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel at 800-734-9338 or 212-385-1122 for your free consultation today.