Maison Law stands beside families after they’ve lost a loved one in a river drowning accident. We help victims hold property owners, businesses, and government agencies accountable when victims are allowed access to unsafe rivers. 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.
River Swimming Hazards in California
California has many beautiful rivers that can tempt people who are looking for a place to wade in and cool off. But swimmers must stay wary of the dangers that swimming in a natural body of water poses. Some rivers, like the Los Angeles River, are better for recreational sports like paddling and kayaking, and yet people still end up in the water and are at risk of drowning.
Rivers can present several natural hazards that aren’t problems in pools. They can be great for water sports and adventure, but they are also unpredictable forces of nature.
The risks include…
- Steep banks
- Swift currents
- Quickly rising flood waters
- Underwater and invisible obstructions
- Variable depths
- Muddy bottoms
- Slip-and-fall hazards on rocks and mud
- Challenges that can tire swimmers out faster
- Reckless boaters
Swimmers must think of their own safety when dipping into a river, but property owners and government agencies have a duty to warn people of the dangers. They must prevent access to river shores in certain areas. If they fail in this duty and someone gets hurt or dies, owners and operators who were negligent in preventing a tragedy can be held financially liable. Families may file a wrongful death claim against those who failed to take action to keep visitors to rivers safe.
A California drowning accident lawyer can help families in mourning secure support from at-fault parties. This support can be used to pay funeral bills, and leftover medical bills, and replace the income the deceased had always supported the family with. But this support won’t be automatic. Your lawyer collects evidence that proves the negligence of a property owner and uses it to force an at-fault party to do the right thing. A skilled attorney then files a claim that demands the most in support possible for the family.
Who Can I Hold Accountable After a Loved One Is Killed in a River Drowning?
A property owner may own land bordering a river, but they have a duty to do more than just enjoy the natural beauty. They must take every precaution to keep visitors and even trespassers safe from the dangers the river can create.
Landowners could be found responsible for not posting “swift current” signs, “no swimming” signs, and other warning signs. They may be liable for drownings if they don’t build barriers, like fences and gates, keeping people out of swimming spots where people can get hurt. This is an especially important duty to prevent curious, unattended children from gaining access to dangerous waters.
A resort management group or a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) could also be liable for accidents that happen along a stretch of river on their properties.
A recreation business that takes people out on rivers may face financial liability for not keeping customers safe and preventing drownings. These owners and businesses will unfortunately have the money to afford lawyers, and sometimes teams of lawyers, to defend them. Those lawyers will work hard to try to blame the victim for the drowning. They’ll also try to keep the settlement money families receive as low as possible.
Your California river drowning lawyer is your safeguard against these underhanded tactics. Your lawyer presents the evidence and forces at-fault parties to accept full responsibility.
Drowning Claims Against California City and State Government
A government agency like the California Department of Parks and Recreation charged with overseeing a stretch of river must also act to keep swimmers safe. On some rivers, government agencies may be responsible for keeping reckless boaters off the water so they can’t endanger swimmers.
A city parks department could be responsible for providing lifeguards along a popular river beach. A California government department might share liability for not providing safety equipment at or near the river’s edge. A state agency may fail to keep a pier or dock in safe working condition. Someone could trip on a hazard, hit their head, and end up in the water.
Families seeking to hold the California government should know about some extra challenges when trying to sue a state agency. City, County, and state governmental departments usually have protections in place that make it harder for victims and their families to sue for damages. A local government may have the right to make families seek permission before even filing a claim.
There will usually be a much shorter statute of limitations on suing city, county, or state government. In most wrongful death cases, California allows families up to two years to file a claim. When government agencies are involved, loved ones may only have months to file or risk having their cases thrown out. Allow a skilled California attorney to handle these complex cases and make sure you meet the deadlines in place to hold an at-fault party responsible for their negligence.
Compensation Available to Families After a California River Drowning
Nothing can bring back a precious loved one after a drowning, but the family members left behind will suffer more than just emotional trauma over such a tragedy. A spouse and children of the victim can quickly face financial turmoil as bills for a funeral and burial come due. They’ll face the leftover medical bills and ambulance fees that could remain.
These and other financial burdens should not be the family’s worry, especially when an at-fault party is to blame for a tragic drowning incident.
A wrongful death lawyer demands support for the family’s current hardships and the difficulties that will arise in the years ahead:
- Totals on leftover medical bills and ambulance fees.
- Support to pay for a funeral and burial.
- Reimbursement for the wages the victim can no longer contribute to the family in the years ahead.
- The emotional hardships a family endures and will continue to endure. Children must receive support for the love and guidance they’ll miss out on in the years ahead.
- Cost of psychological counseling for family members to help them cope with the loss.
- Loss of consortium. (The lost support of a spouse or partner)
Parents who lose small children in a river drowning would also be allowed to seek support. They’d seek support for the loss of love and companionship a child can no longer provide. The life expectancy of the child would help determine how much in support a family should receive for the years they’ll never get back.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a California River Drowning Accident Lawyer
After a river 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.
If you are worried about having the money to afford a lawyer, you should put your mind at ease. Maison Law doesn’t get paid unless we in your case for your family. Then our lawyers are paid out of the settlement money a family receives. Allow our lawyers to handle your family’s wrongful death claim so they can grieve their loss without disruption.
