Drowning Accident Attorneys

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North Carolina Drowning Accidents

Unfortunately, drowning accidents in North Carolina are prevalent. North Carolina’s coastal access and wide variety of lake attractions only add to the risk already incurred by everyday situations such as community and home pools. While these areas make for fun summer activities, they can also become dangerous to boaters and swimmers. Unfortunately, Swimming-related accidents are a leading cause of death for children 13 and under. In many drowning cases, negligence is at fault and those responsible should be held accountable. When a drowning accident happens, you may be able to file a product liability, premises liability, wrongful death claim or personal injury lawsuit for damages. In these situations, an expert drowning accident attorney at Edwards Kirby can help you navigate the legal process and get you the justice that you or a loved one deserve.

Raleigh Drowning Accident Lawyers

Seeking Justice After a Drowning or Near Drowning Accident

Edwards Kirby attorneys have a national reputation for representing victims of swimming pool, boating and diving accidents. Our drowning accident attorneys won the largest products liability verdict in the swimming pool industry’s history awarding the family $24.5 million dollars.

John Edwards and David Kirby were awarded the American Association for Justice national public service award in 1997 for their work on behalf of a child who had her intestines pulled out after being trapped by suction on a defective pool drain. The decision led to widespread changes around the country in the standards for swimming pool drains.

Types of Swimming Pool & Water Accidents

Edwards Kirby is recognized among the best possible advocates in a serious personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death claim involving circumstances such as:

Unsafe or unsupervised swimming pools and spas in hotels, resorts, apartment complexes, and recreation centers
Injuries and deaths caused by inattentive or poorly trained lifeguards
Drowning or severe injuries in quarries, gravel pits, and ponds
Diving accidents caused by improper training, defective equipment, negligent supervision, or unsafe conditions

While drowning is the injury that most people connect with accidents on or in the water, other serious injuries can occur in boating accidents or diving mishaps. These include brain damage caused by extended periods of insufficient oxygen and serious spinal cord, back, or neck injuries suffered while diving.

If you or someone in your family has been seriously injured or killed in a drowning accident or other water-related accident, we can help. Contact a Raleigh drowning accident lawyer at Edwards Kirby today or call us at (919) 897-7662. contact Edwards Kirby.We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your needs.

Record Setting Results View More Results

$23.3 Million

Brain injuries suffered at birth, including cerebral palsy and spastic quadriplegia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Drowning Accidents

Is it worth getting a drowning accident attorney?

Injury or loss of a loved one is a sensitive, grief-filled time. During this difficult time, you and your family may be so overwhelmed that basic tasks are difficult. Adding a legal case on top of that may seem too strenuous or confusing, but a trusted drowning accident attorney can alleviate a lot of the stress associated with a lawsuit by helping to clearly explain the aspects of the case and the appropriate measures to take to reach desired outcomes. A knowledgeable swimming pool accident attorney can help ensure that the victim or victim’s family receives the justice they deserve during such a difficult time.

What does a typical drowning accident case investigation process look like?

Initial investigation involves answering the general who, what, when, where, and why of the accident. Once this basic information is known, a more formal investigation begins. This phase of investigation includes collecting more detailed information through accident reports, police and first responder documents, medical records, United States Coast Guard records, and more. A careful review of all information by experienced drowning accident attorneys and qualified experts helps to determine precisely what happened, why and how it happened, and who is at fault.

How do I know if a drowning death was caused by negligence?

In some cases, this is obvious if the drowning was related to an intoxicated water motorist or pool supervisor. However, every case is unique, and fault is not always clear. In these situations, all factors must be reviewed, including whether required regulations were followed for pool areas, if a broken lock allowed a child water access, if CPR was properly administered, etc. For instance, in North Carolina, all swimming pools need to be enclosed by a barrier to be in accordance with Appendix V of the North Carolina Residential Code. An investigation by our drowning accident lawyers will determine if requirements like this were met when the accident occurred.

How much will I get in a drowning case settlement?

Many factors are involved in determining settlement amounts. The victim’s age and income, the family’s economic loss, emotional anguish, loss of quality of life, and more are considered. A drowning accident lawyer can assess the value of your case to better explain the potential recovery available.

Will the case have to go to trial?

The majority of drowning accident cases are resolved through settlement negotiations; however, some cases do go to trial. Regardless, the attorneys at Edwards Kirby assemble and prepare each case under the assumption that it will go to trial. This puts insurance companies on notice, which can lead to faster and more lucrative case resolutions.