Los Angeles Drowning and Near Drowning Accident Attorney
[Updated July 10, 2024]
As devastating as a drowning is, Derek is presumptively the nation’s foremost attorney authority in drowning and near-drowning cases, owing to his decades of supervisory and hands-on lifeguarding experience in addition to his successful legal career.
Derek, a distinguished attorney at the Reeves Law Group, has carved out a unique niche for himself in the realm of drowning cases. His distinct approach to every case not only brings a fresh perspective, but also yields a notable track record of successful outcomes across a diverse range of drowning incidents. His strategic and sensitive methods in handling heartbreaking personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits has been instrumental in his success.
If you or a family victim has been the victim of a drowning or near drowning accident, contact us today.
Call (213) 271-9318
For a Free Consultation
Why Hire The Reeves Law Group for Your Accident Claim?
- Over $250,000,000 Recovered for Our Clients
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It’s a difficult decision to make the first call, but if you or your loved one has sustained a drowning or near drowning, Call (213) 271-9318 or contact us for a free consultation. We can give you formal legal advice about your drowning accident and potential premises liability claim.
How can we help in a drowning accident?
A Los Angeles drowning attorney like us can provide expert legal guidance and representation to victims and their families who have suffered injuries or deaths due to drowning incidents.
They can help investigate the circumstances of the incident, identify liable parties, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation through litigation if necessary. It is important to seek the assistance of a qualified attorney as soon as possible after such an incident occurs, as time may be limited for filing a claim.
Unfortunately drowning can quickly lead to serious brain injury due to the lack of oxygen, or cerebral hypoxia. This can result in substantial economic and non-economic damages, as victims may require lifelong medical care.
About Drowning Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is known for its beautiful beaches and numerous swimming pools and spas. However, with this privilege comes the possibility of accidents, primarily drowning incidents that occur every year.
Despite enforcing laws to ensure public safety and providing lifeguard services to the public, drowning accidents still occur on these beaches, residential pools and water parks in Los Angeles. Many drowning cases are caused by negligence and can be avoided if adequate measures are taken by responsible parties.
For instance, a recent drowning accident happened at a private apartment pool in Los Angeles County where a six-year-old boy died in an unsecured pool area after falling into the deep end unnoticed. In another case, a tourist drowned in the ocean near Malibu due to an undertow current during his morning swim.
One family lost their son in an incident despite having hired a lifeguard during their private pool party. The teenager who was paid to keep watch was inattentive and distracted himself from his duties resulting in a fatal accident that turned tragic for the victim, children and parents.
In most cases, it’s not only the victims that suffer the consequences of these types of accidents — their families are also affected and left dealing with immense pain, long-term medical expenses or even funeral costs.
Losing someone due to a drowning accident is something no one should experience whether it’s an adult or a child victim.
Where do drownings commonly occur?
Swimming Pools: Both public and private swimming pools are common places for drownings, especially for children. Inadequate fencing or lack of supervision can increase the risk.
Bathtubs: This is especially a risk for infants and very young children, but also for the elderly or those with mobility issues.
Beaches: Natural bodies of water like oceans and seas present a higher risk due to currents, tides, and sometimes unpredictable conditions. Lack of lifeguard supervision can also be a factor.
Lakes and Rivers: These can also be dangerous due to undercurrents, sudden changes in depth, and the potential for fatigue or cramping while swimming far from shore.
Spas and Hot Tubs: The warm water can lead to drowsiness and accidental drowning, and the powerful jets can sometimes trap swimmers.
Boating Accidents: Drownings can occur following boating accidents in open water, as well as from water sports such as water skiing, tubing, wakeboarding and more. Scuba diving and free diving is another sport that sees drownings on a more frequent basis than we’d like to see.
Floods: Natural disasters like floods can lead to accidental drownings, often due to the swift currents and debris in the water.
Irrigation Channels or Ditches: These can be dangerous due to their unexpected depths and sometimes steep, slippery sides.
Drowning accidents can result from various negligent actions
Preventable drowning accidents are a common and devastating occurrence that can result from a wide variety of negligent actions. Negligent actions can include actions taken by the responsible party, as well as inaction or lack of reasonable care in providing adequate supervision or taking necessary precautions to protect against risks and hazardous situations.
In specific cases, the negligence of the responsible party is often easily identifiable. In other cases, it requires a detailed investigation to determine exactly what went wrong and who could be to blame.
Examples of negligent behavior that may cause preventable drowning accidents include failing to provide or maintain proper safety equipment for their pool or spa or other bodies of water, improperly maintaining fences, barriers, locks or alarm systems around such areas, failing to ensure adequate supervision for those persons near dangerous areas and not warning swimmers of potential risks.
Negligent parties can also be held liable if they fail to take steps to address a known hazard or failure to make needed repairs on swim areas and other associated facilities in a timely manner. Further, businesses or schools that host large numbers of people at pools, lakes, rivers or oceans may be liable if they fail to provide warnings about risks associated with swimming in such areas and do not take appropriate action when necessary.
On one hand, various types of reckless behavior can certainly lead to preventable drowning accidents. On the other hand, sometimes an accident is unavoidable due to the presence of multiple variables combined with natural forces out of anyone’s control. It is up to experienced legal professionals to examine all aspects of the situation and determine where the liability lies so that victims and their families can seek justice for their losses.
When searching for a drowning or swimming pool accident attorney in Los Angeles, it’s essential to find an experienced legal partner who has a top-tier law degree and credentials like board certifications, strong dedication towards their profession, and proven expertise in litigating drowning accidents or personal injury cases.
It’s vital to consider the attorney’s personality, work style, communication skills, and track record of previous achievements to establish a strong client-attorney relationship based on mutual respect and trust. Carefully evaluating these aspects while analyzing various legal partners will help clients find an ideal attorney who can represent them most effectively and achieve better outcomes.
Role of a Specialized Attorney
An experienced attorney specializes in handling drowning accident claims and helps clients navigate through difficult times while providing legal guidance throughout the healing process. Specialized attorneys will fight for fair compensation against negligent parties such as property owners, aquatic facilities or manufacturers of faulty swimming equipment. They represent individuals and families who have been victims of wrongful deaths and catastrophic injuries due to drowning.
Pursuant to state and federal statutory frameworks, swimming pool safety protocols are predominantly governed at the state jurisdiction, yet overarching federal mandates exist, notably the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act).
The federal entity, Pool Safely, executes and enforces the stipulations of the P&SS Act, imposing specific standards for public pool and spa establishments. In the state of California, pool safety regulations are codified under the Swimming Pool Safety Act, with detailed provisions for public pools delineated in the 2019 California Building Code (CBC) Chapter 31B. For entities operating within the city of Los Angeles, the 2020 Los Angeles Building Code (LABC) Sections 3109, 6109, and 8118 are applicable to all pool facilities, except when superseded or modified by Information Bulletin P/BC 2020-014.
Navigating such regulatory landscapes can be intricate; thus, for legal inquiries or potential issues, consultation with the legal professionals at the Reeves Law Group, specialists in drowning accident cases, is recommended.
Legal representation in such cases is pivotal since many liability factors come into play. For example, California law requires those found guilty of negligence at swimming pools to pay reasonable settlements due to wrongful death suits filed by surviving family members.
Why Personal Experience and Expertise is Key
In the complex terrain of drowning and near-drowning cases, the benefits of working with an attorney possessing both personal experience and professional expertise cannot be overstated.
Derek Pakiz is the embodiment of this ideal blend. As the nation’s presumptive foremost authority in drowning and near-drowning cases, Mr. Pakiz’s decades of supervisory and hands-on lifeguarding experience as well as a decades-long boat owner make him uniquely equipped to empathetically navigate the intricacies of these cases, providing clients with much-needed support.
Imagine, for instance, the aftermath of a near-drowning incident at a hotel pool during a vacation. The physical injuries, the financial burdens, and the legal complexities can be overwhelming. Mr. Pakiz, however, understands these scenarios from a personal and professional standpoint. His lifeguarding background combined with his legal acumen allows him to provide a comprehensive understanding of your unique situation.
Mr. Pakiz’s personal experience with drowning incidents enhances his ability to anticipate potential challenges and provide invaluable insights. His experience and consulting isn’t theoretical – it’s practical, tested, and proven. Navigating unfamiliar legal territory can be daunting, but with Mr. Pakiz, it’s akin to having a seasoned guide who has walked the same path, helping you avoid pitfalls and stay on course, all while providing emotional support.
Working with a Local Los Angeles-based Drowning Lawyer
Firstly, working with a local lawyer means they are familiar with the specific laws and regulations in Los Angeles County. They have likely worked on cases similar to yours and know how to navigate the intricacies of the legal system. This experience can prove invaluable when fighting for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
An additional advantage of collaborating with a local drowning lawyer is that they will have connections within the community. These connections could include medical professionals, private investigators, or other experts who can provide evidence to support your case. Additionally, local lawyers often have established relationships with judges and opposition attorneys which can help streamline the legal process.
Did you know:
- In 2020, there were over 3,500 registered lawyers practicing personal injury law in Los Angeles County. A very small subset of these lawyers specialize in drowning and swimming pool accident cases.
- According to California’s Department of Public Health, between 2015-2017, Los Angeles County had an average of 55 unintentional drowning deaths per year, highlighting the potential need for specialized drowning attorneys in the region.
Contact Our Drowning and near drowning Accident LAW FIRM
Personal Injury Attorney Derek Pakiz has won thousands of cases, including numerous swimming pool and other water-related cases, and have earned a reputation for professionalism and competence. We have the experience, skill, and resources to ensure that our clients will obtain optimum representation in their wrongful death or accident claim.
Call our attorney representing swimming pool and drowning accidents at (213) 271-9318 or contact us for a free consultation. For your convenience, we make home and hospital visits throughout the Los Angeles area.
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