Maison Law stands beside families after they’ve lost a loved one in a drowning accident at a California lake. We help victims hold property owners, businesses, and government agencies accountable when victims are allowed to swim in unsafe waters and without proper safety precautions. To find out how to hold at-fault parties fully accountable for their negligence in a drowning, contact a skilled California lawyer and schedule a free consultation.
California Lake Drowning Dangers
California has many amazing beaches along the ocean that plenty of people flock to. But some forget about all the inland bodies of water that offer places to swim, boat, and enjoy water sports.
Lakes like the Castaic Reservoir, north of Los Angeles, offer many natural swimming spots, but lakes also pose additional hazards not found in city pools and waterparks.
- Sudden water depth changes or dropoffs
- Reckless or drunk boaters
- Fast-moving currents and waves
- More exhausting conditions while swimming
- Sudden changes in weather
- Underwater rocks and debris
- Cold water temperatures
Drownings in lakes lead to the unacceptable loss of life every year in California. In 2022, The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Lake Berryessa, north of San Francisco, had recorded 11 drownings since 2020.
These are sad incidents, but it doesn’t mean that all drownings are freak accidents. With some investigative work, it usually becomes pretty clear that a drowning could have been prevented if a property owner or government agency had done more to keep swimmers safe.
A skilled California drowning accident lawyer can help families collect the evidence necessary to hold a business owner or city or county department liable for a tragedy. This would open the door for grieving families to demand support through such a difficult time and prepare for a future without the financial support a loved one would have provided.
Who Is Liable for Lake Drownings in California?
Owners and operators of lakes and any beaches around the lake owe all visitors and guests a “duty of care.” Operators must make sure there are lifeguards and that they are properly trained. They must post warning signs when hazards are present and post “no swimming” signs in areas where it’s not safe to enter the water.
Proper life-saving equipment must be accessible in case of emergency. Docks and piers around lakes must be free of slipping and tripping hazards that could send someone into the water to drown.
State agencies may be liable for not removing dangerous boaters from the lake before someone is struck and as a result, drowns.
When families lose a loved one in a lake drowning, they may find that several parties could have taken action to prevent such a heartbreaking death.
These and other parties could be held liable for your family’s grief and loss:
- Negligent boater
- Property owner
- Business owners including resort owners
- A boat rental company or pier operators
- A Home Owner’s Association in charge of maintaining community lakes
- State or Federal Water Management Agency
- City or County Government Departments
Private lakes and ponds also require property owners to show a certain level of care. They must post warning signs about unsafe conditions along lake shores and ponds. Property owners can be held liable for a drowning even if someone was trespassing at the time. When lake owners don’t do enough to keep curious people, especially children, away from dangerous bodies of water, they can be held liable if someone drowns.
Lake Drownings on Government-Maintained Lakes
When a lake drowning can be traced back to a government agency’s negligence, the families left behind may need the help of a skilled wrongful death lawyer to hold the correct department responsible. A City or County Parks and Recreation Department could be liable for such a tragic drowning. The State Parks System is also responsible for the safety of visitors to certain lakes. Some lakes are maintained by federal authorities.
Cases against any government agency can be very complex. Government officials have legal protections that regular business and property owners don’t have. Families may have to file extensive paperwork simply to seek permission to file a legal claim with a state agency after a drowning.
The deadlines for filing a claim after a drowning could also be much shorter when dealing with a city department. Families would have to file their claims much sooner or risk having their cases rejected. Make sure to consult with a skilled California drowning accident attorney to cut through this red tape and avoid missing important time limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a drowning wrongful death claim in California?
Families are granted up to two years to file a wrongful death claim, but waiting can make it harder to secure evidence for your case. Remember that a case involving a state agency could have much shorter deadlines.
What if my family can’t afford the help of a California drowning accident lawyer?
Maison Law fights for the rights of families on a contingency basis. It means we don’t get paid unless we win the case for your family. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check or judgment your family receives.
Will I Have to go to court to earn support after a family member drowns?
Not usually. Most personal injury cases, including drowning claims, are settled out of court. Property owners and businesses want to avoid the cost of having to defend their actions before a judge and jury.
What type of support can my family earn after a drowning?
Families should receive help to pay for funerals and any leftover medical bills. They should get assistance in replacing the income the loved one would have provided to a spouse and children in the future. The family should also earn support for the emotional trauma they’ll continue to deal with.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a California Drowning Accident Lawyer
After a lake drowning accident claims the life of a loved one, take action to seek justice from a negligent property owner or business owner. Contact the skilled California Drowning Accident Lawyers at Maison Law, for a free consultation and case evaluation. It’s a no-risk way to find out how to keep a negligent party from avoiding blame and how to secure every benefit possible for your family after a tragedy.
