Maison Law stands beside families after they’ve lost a loved one in a drowning accident involving California ponds. We help victims hold property owners, farm owners, and government agencies accountable when victims are allowed access to unsafe ponds and water reservoirs. 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, no-obligation consultation.
Pond Drowning Dangers in California
California has many ponds and canals in cities, in the mountains, and on farmland. A pond can look like an inviting place to cool off in the summer, but they actually hold quite a few dangers for swimmers.
Ponds can be natural or manmade, but it’s actually the property owner, farm owner, or municipality that’s responsible for keeping workers and residents safe.
They must do everything they can to keep people out of dangerous ponds and post warnings about the following risks when entering a pond:
- Steep banks
- Slippery mud
- Storms and flooding dangers
- Muddy bottoms
- Muddy water hiding water depth
- Underwater obstacles
- Unsafe culverts, drains, and spillways that might suck in and trap swimmers
- Dangerous swimming holes that are too easy for visitors to reach
If it’s discovered that a property owner or a city department didn’t do everything possible to prevent a tragedy, those parties can be held accountable by families in mourning. A pond drowning accident lawyer makes sure at-fault parties can’t escape blame. A California drowning accident lawyer builds a strong case, backed by evidence acquired during a full investigation. Then an attorney demands the most in support possible for the family from the owner’s liability insurance provider.
Liability in Pond Drownings
The owners of property and businesses are required by California law to see to the safety of every visitor, client, and employee. In some cases, that “duty of care” even extends to trespassers, especially children, who might be tempted to test the waters of a pond.
Property owners and operators must post signs warning of swimming dangers around ponds. In some cases, they’d need to put up fences to keep children from getting access to those dangerous waters.
In some cases, city entities and HOAs that operate ponds and parks may need to post security to keep people out of dangerous ponds. They could need to provide safety equipment in case someone falls in. In some instances, the banks would need to be rebuilt to reduce a dangerous angle to the water.
When these precautions aren’t taken and someone is hurt in a near-drowning or a life is claimed, the property owners and operators can be held legally liable.
These and other parties might have to contribute to the recovery of your family after a devastating loss:
- Property owners
- Homeowners
- Homeowners Association (HOA)
- Business Owners
- Landlords
- Property management companies
- Hotel Owners
- Construction Firms
- City or County Government Department
Suing a city agency can have a high degree of difficulty. Government offices usually enjoy protections, such as requiring you to seek permission before you can even file a wrongful death claim.
A lawsuit involving the city or county would also be limited by a much shorter statute of limitations. In most drowning cases, families would have up to two years to file a wrongful death claim. When a claim involves a city department, that deadline can be only a matter of months. It’s a good idea to have a skilled lawyer handle your case against the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Why should my family hire a lawyer after losing someone in a drowning accident?
The agricultural companies or the property owners responsible for pond safety can afford teams of lawyers. Attorneys and insurance adjusters will work to limit the support you and your family receive. Your lawyer puts an end to their tactics and doesn’t let them blame the victim. Your Maison Law lawyer then demands the most possible in support for you and your family.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a California Pond Drowning Accident
After a drowning accident in a canal claims the life of a loved one, families must take action to seek justice from a negligent property owner or a government agency. We can also help the families of farmworkers who are put in harm’s way in an unsafe work environment.
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.
