Maison Law stands by the sides of families who have lost a loved one in a river drowning accident in Stockton. We believe that all responsible parties should be held accountable for the harm that they have caused others. A drowning can affect the lives of many individuals and not just a victim. If you have suffered the loss of a loved one in one of these accidents, please contact us for a no-obligation case review to go over your options.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a River Drowning Accident in Stockton?
It is true that some personal injury claims can be handled without the assistance of a legal advocate. In some cases, an accident may lead to minor injuries or only property damage. In these cases, speaking with a lawyer may be unnecessary.
However, there are some cases where it can be incredibly beneficial to speak with a lawyer. Individuals may need a lawyer if the following statements are true:
- The accident was completely or partially caused by another party.
- Your injuries required a hospital stay or follow-up care.
- You were forced to miss time at work due to your injuries.
- Your injuries otherwise impact your life on a financial level.
Maison Law will compassionately assist you as you navigate the legal system after a drowning accident. With years of experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims, we have the resources necessary to help you recover after an accident.
What Types of Hazards Lead to Accidents in Stockton Rivers?
There are many rivers located in and around Stockton where families love to spend time many months out of the year. The San Joaquin River runs right through Stockton and joins the Sacramento River and Suisun Bay. There are also many other nearby rivers including Mokelumne River, Klamath River, and Merced River.
Rivers present many unique hazards that are not an issue in other bodies of water, including oceans and pools. Some of these risks include the following:
- Swift currents and steep banks
- Flood waters that rise quickly
- Obstructions under water
- Slip-and-fall hazards in mud and on slippery rocks
- Swimming challenges that quickly lead to fatigue
- Reckless boaters on lakes
Of course, swimmers at lakes are supposed to take some responsibility and be as careful as possible in these areas. However, there are many circumstances where swimmers are as safe as possible and still become injured due to no fault of their own. Property owners owe swimmers and guests a duty of care to protect them from harm. If this duty is breached, injured parties or families who have lost a loved one have legal options.
Who is Liable for a Drowning in a Stockton River?
There are many different parties who could be responsible for a drowning that occurs in a Stockton river. In many cases, a property owner is liable for a drowning event on a river’s property. This is because property owners have a duty of care to protect all visitors who enter their property.
There are many other parties who could also be responsible for these accidents, including but not limited to:
- Resort management groups
- A homeowner’s association (HOA)
- A recreation business
- Government entities
Who is liable for a drowning at a Stockton river will depend upon the circumstances of the drowning. For instance, did an accident happen because there were no lifeguards to patrol that particular area? Was a dock not in safe working condition and it led to a drowning? Determining who is liable will depend on these circumstances and it is important to remember that multiple parties could also be at fault.
Compensation Available After a Stockton River Drowning
It is true that no amount of money can bring back a loved one whose life was lost due to a drowning in a Stockton river. However, compensation can help a family feel whole financially after they have suffered the unexpected loss of a loved one. Families face many financial difficulties as they are grieving their losses.
With the help of a wrongful death lawyer, you and your family can demand support for a wide array of losses caused by a drowning. These include:
- Medical bills a loved one incurred before passing
- Support for funeral and burial costs
- Reimbursement for lost wages and other job-related benefits
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Cost of psychological counseling for family members
It is important that you act quickly after you have suffered the loss of a loved one in a river drowning, as you may only have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit under California’s statute of limitations. This time may be even less if you are filing a claim against the government. Speaking with an attorney immediately can help you get back on your feet during these challenging times.
Contact a Stockton River Drowning Lawyer Today
After you have sustained the immense loss of a loved one in a Stockton river drowning, it is important to remember that you have legal options in your time of grief. You should never have to face one of these claims alone, which is why our Stockton drowning accident lawyers at Maison Law are here to help you. Please contact us as soon as possible for a free and confidential case review. We will handle your claim from start to finish so that you have time to grieve without disruption.
