Drowning Accident

July 2, 2018

Citrus County Injury Attorneys :: Stay Safe On The Fourth

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Even though it falls on a Wednesday this year, AAA projects nearly 47 million Americans will travel somewhere for the holiday. If this forecast does in fact happen, it will set a new travel record. The Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous holidays to be on the road, and you can bet that state troopers will be responding to hundreds of accidents over this holiday week.

We know that not all accidents on the Fourth are related to motor vehicle incidents, so our Citrus County Injury Lawyers have compiled a list of the most common accidents and a few safety tips to remember.

Car Accidents

Our Citrus County Auto Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton have helped numerous car accident victims recover compensation for their injuries. Some of the most common accidents stem from one of the following mistakes:

Distractions
Drunk driving
Tailgating or following too closely

Holiday weekends only increase these kinds of accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, we urge you to first seek medical attention and then contact us right away. If you’re unsure if you have a valid case, we can walk you through the process and help you determine what to do next.

Firework Injuries

Fireworks and the Fourth go hand in hand. Our Citrus County Injury Lawyers want you to have fun over the holiday – but encourage you to do it safely!

Every year, there are news stories about someone who has seriously been injured by fireworks. Whether you were at a fireworks show or at someone else’s home, the property owner has a responsibility to keep everyone safe from harm.

Keep in mind Florida’s laws on fireworks: Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. It is illegal to use exploding and/or flying fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers.

If you’ve been injured in a fireworks accident, the first thing you need to do is get medical attention. After that, call us and we can look into your injury case and see if you are able to recover financial compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages.

Pool Injuries

It’s Florida, so it would not be summer without a trip to the pool. Maybe, you have one in your backyard. It’s important to adhere to all posted pool rules for your own safety. It’s also important to always have adult supervision, because accidents do happen.

If you or a family member has been injured in a swimming or slip and fall accident at a swimming pool, give us a call as we may be able to help you file a personal injury claim.

June 23, 2016

Play It Safe At The Pool This Summer

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A summer without multiple trips to the pool just would not make sense. It’s hot in Florida, so cooling off poolside is a MUST!

With everything good, comes some bad, and unfortunately, pools can be danger zones for kids. Fortunately, the following safety tips can help you and your youngsters stay cool and safe.

Adult Supervision Is A Must!

Kids need to be monitored 24/7 by an adult anytime they are near water. Teenagers do not count, so make sure an adult is keeping an eye on the children. Turning your head, even just for a minute, could be disastrous. Practice the 10/20 rule: Check the pool every 10 seconds and make sure you are close enough to get to a child in distress within 20 seconds if needed.

Safety Devices Are Not Foolproof

Children can easily fall off pool floats and those “water wings” can puncture and deflate. Life jackets are best, but they should be replaced when they are torn or worn and no longer fit.

Make Sure Your Cell Phone Is Fully Charged & Close By

Having a phone handy could save a life if a medical emergency arises. On a side note, having your address posted in a spot that is easily accessible for guests can help should an emergency operator need it.

Kiddie Pools Should Be Emptied After Each Use

Small children can easily drown in shallow water. They lack the upper body strength to pull themselves up. If you leave a kiddie pool full of water in the backyard, or anywhere near the house, a child could fall in and drown.

Install A Fence And Gate Around Larger Pools

A fence with a gate makes it a lot harder for small children to gain access to the pool unsupervised. With that said, remove any stacked lawn chairs or anything that can be used to climb over the fence – children can be very resourceful!

Curb The Alcohol

Pool parties and barbecues usually involve alcohol. Excessive drinking can cause your focus to fall away from supervising little ones.

Limit the Horseplay

Leave those cannonballs and backflips to the professionals. Kids can easily get hurt playing around and diving and trying out crazy tricks.

If you or a loved one is injured in a swimming pool accident, our Citrus County Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help.

November 3, 2015

Inverness Toddler Drowns in Pond

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Citrus County toddler drowned Saturday evening in Inverness.

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said the 14-month-old girl was found in a small pond adjacent to her home in the 6000 block of north Dawson Drive.

Deputies believe the child’s father was inside the home taking a nap when she wandered off.

After waking from a nap, he found the toddler in a small manmade pond just outside the opened front door.

When paramedics arrived, the father was trying to revive the girl. She was pronounced dead a short time later.

At this time, no charges have been filed. However, an investigation is ongoing.

This is a devastating tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with this child’s family right now. Accidental drownings like this occur every day across the United States, and sadly, most of these drownings can easily be avoided. Young children are especially vulnerable to the danger of drowning. In fact, one in four drowning victims are children under the age of 16. Parents, as well as pond and pool owners must take all necessary precautions to ensure child safety. With infant and toddler drowning deaths becoming increasingly more common, it is absolutely crucial that all children be accompanied by an adult when they are near any body of water.

Our Citrus County Swimming Pool & Drowning Accident Lawyers at Whittel & Melton are quite familiar with the laws surrounding drowning, swimming, and other water accident cases. It can be difficult to prove negligence in drowning cases, but working with an experienced injury lawyer can result in establishing liability in these cases.

July 29, 2015

Toddler Drowns in Dunnellon Pond

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 2-year-old boy was found dead Friday after he drowned in a pond in the backyard of a Dunnellon home.

According to the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, the boy’s mother and her boyfriend were outside around 1:30 p.m. at a home on W. Dunedin Road when the toddler walked away and wandered into the backyard.

The couple noticed the boy was missing and went to look for him. They found him floating in the pond in the backyard.

Once officials arrived at the scene, they performed CPR on the boy. He was transported to Seven Rivers Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Deputies are still investigating the incident, but said nothing appears suspicious at this time.

This tragic event is one that could easily have been avoided. Young children are especially vulnerable to the danger of drowning. In fact, statistics show that one in four drowning victims are children under the age of 16. Parents, as well as pond and pool owners must take all necessary precautions to ensure child safety. Infant and toddler drowning deaths throughout the state of Florida and the United States are increasingly common, so it is very important that all children be accompanied by an adult when they are near a body of water.

July 10, 2015

Citrus County Deputies Save Child from Near-Drowning in Family Pool

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A group of Citrus County deputies have been declared heroes after they saved a little boy who almost died in a family pool.

Reports indicate that deputies were called to a Crystal River home July 4th weekend to help revive a 4-year-old boy who ended up in the family pool. The family was able to pull the boy out, but he didn’t have a pulse.

One of the deputies started doing CPR, and the boy got a pulse back as other deputies arrived. They eventually got him coughing and breathing again.

The boy spent the night in a local hospital and was released the next day.

Near drowning injuries can be devastating for a family. These accidents can cause serious injuries that can involve a lengthy recovery or permanent disability, both of which have a huge impact on the victim as well as the family.The consequences of a near drowning accident can affect the victim’s respiratory system, and being deprived of oxygen can result in mild to serious brain damage.

June 24, 2015

Citrus County Deputies Investigating Boy’s Bathtub Drowning

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the drowning of an 11-month-old boy.

The baby died in the bathtub at a home on Glen Acres Terrace in Homosassa.

According to reports, emergency responders were called to the home on Thursday. The boy was transported by air to a local hospital, where he died two days later.

No other details regarding the incident have been released at this time.

More than 43,000 children are hurt in bathtub accidents of some kind each year. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, children under a year old most often drown in bathtubs, buckets or toilets.

The following are CPSC statistics:

Children drowning in bathtubs account for almost two-thirds of the 459 reported drowning deaths in the home between the 4-year period between 1996 and 1999.
Most bathtub deaths occur when the caregiver is not present with the victim.
In at least 29 of the 292 bathtub drowning deaths reported to CPSC between 1996 and 1999, the victims were using bath seats.
In 222 of these cases, there was no adult supervision.

August 5, 2014

Citrus Teen Dies in Drowning Accident Off Coast of Hernando County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Citrus County teenager drowned last week while diving with friends off the Hernando County coast.

According to investigators, the teen and his friends were about 17 miles off the coast when he dove in the water and never came back up for air.

His friends were able to locate him quickly and performed CPR, but it was too late. The teen was pronounced dead a short time later at Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center.

According to officials, autopsy results are pending, but foul play is not suspected.

Diving and drowning accidents occur every year in Florida communities. According to a US Coast Guard study, more than 4,500 boating accidents occur each year. In 2012, nearly 20 percent of these accidents resulted in fatalities. Drowning is in fact a leading cause of death from boating accidents in the open water, and diving only increases these risks. If you or someone you love has suffered from a diving, near-drowning or drowning accident, you should seek legal help immediately so that you can understand what steps need to be taken to protect your rights.

April 9, 2014

Homosassa Toddler Drowns in Lake

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Homosassa toddler drowned Sunday morning while he and his family were visiting friends in Dunnellon, according to deputies.

The parents of the 19-month-old boy were visiting friends and staying in a trailer located on the property.

According to deputies, the family was sleeping in the living room when the father awoke the mother around 9:15 a.m. asking where the child was. The parents began searching for the missing child.

The father eventually found the boy lying unresponsive in the lake behind the property.

The father began performing CPR on the boy on the dock. Rescue crews arrived at the scene and took over the CPR efforts and the boy was taken to Seven Rivers Hospital.

The boy was pronounced dead about two hours after his parents called for help.

The autopsy results are pending, but authorities do not suspect any foul play.

In the state of Florida, children are placed at a high risk for drowning-related injuries and death due to the various lakes, canals, ponds, rivers and other bodies of water that are present in virtually every Florida community. Approximately half of all drowning incidents occur at lakes, rivers and even oceans because these bodies of water, as well as the surrounding areas, are less controlled. If you or a family member has been harmed in a lake drowning or near-drowning accident, a Citrus County Drowning Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton can explore what happened and help you take appropriate legal action.

Perhaps the most important thing that can be done to prevent a drowning tragedy is to designate a responsible adult to supervise children in the water and all children playing near water. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye so it is very important for the adult in charge to stay alert and avoid partaking in any other activities while watching children swim. Factors that contribute to drowning accidents often include swimming in natural water settings like rivers, lakes or oceans, lack of supervision and insufficient barriers such as pool fencing. Moreover, alcohol use is a leading cause of unintentional drowning in both adolescents and adults.