If You Are Lucky Enough to Be Going on Vacation This Winter to a Warm Climate, Be Careful When You Go Swimming
Recently a jury awarded $10 million dollars to the family of a 13-year-old swimmer who drowned in a man-made lake operated by the town of Ridgewood, New Jersey. According to trial testimony, nine lifeguards were on duty and none of them noticed a surface struggle or submersion of the victim even though a friend of the young victim attempted to rescue him. An expert witness stated that lifeguards were poorly positioned to protect and recognize the victim and violated a standard of care. Unfortunately swimming pool accidents, drownings, and accidents that occur at man-made lakes or supervised swimming areas of many resorts are frequent sites of drowning and result from breaches of supervisory standards of care.
In a tightened economy many townships or owners and operators of real estate containing swimming areas should always make safety their number one priority and not take shortcuts on tightened budgets. If you are a parent, always keep an eye on young children in a swimming area, even if there are lifeguards on duty, and if you are an adult, never swim alone in an unguarded or unsupervised area. Louis Pasteur once said that “chance favors the prepared mind,” and it is impossible to predict when the unexpected tragic event will occur.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a swimming accident, contact one of our experienced Philadelphia swimming accident attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
