Swimming and water sports are fun activities that are enjoyed by many; however, people forget the risks involved with playing in and around water. Drowning is a more common phenomenon than people might think. In 2005, there were over 3,500 unintentional deaths due to drowning in the United States. Over 25% of these fatalities occurred in children under the age of 14.
It may seem surprising that so many adults are involved in drowning accidents, but there is a wide range of causes for these incidents, many of which would not typically affect a child. For example, alcohol can be a large player in drowning accidents. Alcohol tends to affect one’s ability to react or function properly. It also influences one’s decision-making process, making that person liable to make irrational choices or judgments.
Other common causes of drowning include inability to swim, accidents involving some sort of watercraft, cramps, seizures, or sustaining a head injury while in the water. Some of these phenomena are unavoidable, such as a seizure; others can be easily evaded with the proper precautionary actions.
Contact Us
Even if you take the proper precautions, accidents do happen that result in a fatality. If you know someone who has suffered from drowning due to neglect on behalf of another individual, Minneapolis personal injury lawyers Terry, Slane & Ruohonen, P.L.L.C. can help. Please contact their law offices at 612-362-0000 today to set up an appointment.
