At Maison Law, we stand beside families after they’ve lost a loved one in a drowning accident and beside victims who have sustained a serious drowning and survived. When a victim accesses a body of water that is unsafe due to negligent reasons, we believe that at-fault parties should be held accountable for the harm that they suffer. Please contact us today to schedule a completely free and confidential case review so that you can get started on your claim.
Should You Have the Help of an Attorney?
Nobody ever expects to become involved in a near-drowning or a drowning event. However, every year, these accidents occur in Merced water parks, pools, rivers, and lakes. Anywhere there is water, there is a chance that you could be involved in a drowning.
However, you may wonder if you need the assistance of a lawyer if you were involved in a drowning. In any typical drowning, it is likely that you will receive more than just minor injuries. If your injuries are severe, you can greatly benefit from having the help of a lawyer. An attorney will be able to take a closer look at your accident, gather evidence that you can use, and negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company. At Maison Law, we also use accident reconstruction teams to assist us and help determine what happened at the time of your accident. It can be beneficial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after you have been injured.
What Injuries Typically Result from a Merced Drowning?
Drowning accidents are different from a lot of other accidents in Merced due to the fact that they cause some of the most catastrophic injuries. The injuries that result tend to be long-lasting or even permanent. In the worst cases, a victim may lose their life in an unexpected drowning. Some of the injuries that are most common in drowning accidents include:
- Brain damage due to lack of oxygen during the drowning
- Inhaling water that leads to lung damage
- Heart attacks, cardiac muscle damage, and other heart problems due to the stress of drowning
- Hypothermia due to being exposed to cold water for a period of time
- Anxiety, sadness, and depression after the drowning event
Many survivors of these accidents will suffer permanent damage and may need help from family members for an extended period of time. It may not be possible to return to work or everyday activities you once enjoyed, which is why it is important that you know your legal options after a drowning.
Steps to Take After a Merced Drowning
The steps that you take after you have been involved in a drowning are crucial for your well-being, as well as the future of your case. Here are some steps that you can take after you have been involved in one of these accidents:
- Try to Get Help: If you have been involved in a drowning, it is important that you seek immediate help from anybody in the area.
- Report the Accident: Tell the property owner or a nearby staff member on the property that you were involved in a near-drowning or drowning event. If there is nobody to report the accident to, call law enforcement officials.
- Seek Immediate Medical Care: It is crucial that you receive immediate medical care. After you have received on-site care, you should go to an emergency room to ensure that you are properly cared for.
- Document the Accident Scene: Try to take photographs and videos of the accident scene and any injuries you have suffered so that you can use this evidence later on in your claim.
- Receive Any Follow-Up Care: Make sure that you receive any follow-up care as recommended by your doctors, as this is crucial to your well-being.
With an attorney on your side, you can pin down any responsible parties so that you can move forward with a personal injury claim. This can help you achieve damages that are owed to you.
What Damages Are Available Following a Drowning Accident?
Property owners owe visitors on their property a legal duty of care to protect them from all harm. When a drowning accident happens because a property owner failed to uphold this duty of care, they could be responsible for the harm that results. Some damages that you may be eligible for after a Merced drowning accident include the following:
- Medical expenses to cover hospital bills, surgery fees, medication, and any future care
- Lost wages or loss of earning capacity due to missing time at work
- Pain and suffering to deal with physical and mental hurt caused by the drowning
- Loss of companionship or reduced quality of life
- Travel costs to and from your doctor’s appointments
- Wrongful death damages if a life was taken in a drowning
With an attorney on your side, you can ensure that you comply with all filing deadlines and successfully move forward with your claim. In California, there is a two-year statute of limitations to meet when it concerns personal injury claims.
Contact a Merced Drowning Accident Lawyer Today
It can be incredibly devastating as well as confusing to face the aftermath of a drowning accident in Merced. If you have suffered losses due to one of these accidents, you have options. At Maison Law, our Merced personal injury lawyers are here for you from start to finish when it comes to your personal injury claim. During this unthinkable and tragic time in your life, we will provide you with the knowledge and resources that you need. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
