Jacksonville Drowning Accident Lawyer

Fighting for Victims of Drowning & Near-Drowning Accidents

Drowning and near-drowning accidents are tragic events that can leave families grappling with loss, severe injuries, and uncertainty about the future. Whether these accidents occur in public pools, private properties, or natural bodies of water, victims and their families may have legal options to hold negligent parties accountable. 

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we help families pursue justice in the wake of these heartbreaking incidents. Our award-winning team is backed by over 150 years of collective experience and a track record that includes record-setting results and millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. From initial consultations through meticulous investigations, negotiations, and litigation, we stand by our clients in the fight for full compensation.

If you have a potential drowning accident lawsuit anywhere in Jacksonville, Duval County, or beyond, we have what it takes to help. Call (904) 295-1050 or contact us online.

Types of Drowning and Near-Drowning Accidents

Drowning accidents can happen almost anywhere, but certain locations are more prone to incidents due to their nature or lack of safety precautions. These include:

• Public Swimming Pools: Poorly maintained pools, lack of lifeguards, or inadequate signage can lead to dangerous situations.
• Private Pools: Homeowners have a duty to provide safety measures for guests, especially when children are involved.
• Water Parks: Unsafe water rides, lack of proper supervision, and crowded conditions can create dangerous environments.
• Beaches and Lakes: Rip currents, unsafe conditions, or lack of warning signs can lead to drowning in natural bodies of water.
• Hotels and Resorts: Many drowning accidents occur in hotel or resort pools due to a lack of lifeguards, pool barriers, or safety warnings.
• Boating Accidents: Drowning can result from boat collisions, capsizing, or falls overboard due to inadequate safety measures.

In many cases, these accidents could have been prevented if the responsible parties had taken appropriate safety precautions. Our experienced attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine if negligence played a role.

What Is Near-Drowning?

Near-drowning occurs when a person survives a drowning incident but suffers severe injuries, often leading to long-term or permanent disabilities. Victims of near-drowning may experience brain damage, respiratory issues, or other life-altering injuries due to oxygen deprivation. These injuries often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and therapy.

Near-drowning cases can be just as legally complex as fatal drowning accidents, and it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation to ensure victims and their families are fairly compensated for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Drowning Accident?

Liability in a drowning or near-drowning case depends on the location of the accident and the parties involved. Potentially liable parties may include:

• Property Owners: Both private homeowners and commercial property owners can be held liable if they failed to provide proper safety measures, such as fencing, pool covers, or warning signs.
• Lifeguards or Supervisors: Lifeguards, pool staff, summer camp staff, or event organizers may be responsible if they were negligent in monitoring swimmers or enforcing safety rules.
• Pool Maintenance Companies: Negligence in maintaining pool equipment or water quality can lead to dangerous conditions.
• Governmental Entities: If the accident occurred in a public pool, water park, or beach, a local or state government entity could be liable for failing to ensure the safety of the facility or area.
• Boat Operators: In cases involving boating accidents, the boat owner or operator may be liable if they failed to follow safety regulations or acted recklessly.

Identifying all responsible parties is critical in maximizing the compensation available to victims and their families. Our team has the resources and experience to investigate every aspect of your case and hold the appropriate parties accountable.

Common Causes of Drowning and Near-Drowning Accidents

While many factors can contribute to drowning accidents, some common causes include:

• Lack of Supervision: Whether at a public pool, private residence, or beach, failure to adequately supervise swimmers, especially children, is one of the leading causes of drowning incidents.
• Inadequate Barriers or Fencing: Florida law requires residential pools to have barriers, such as fences or pool covers, to prevent unauthorized access, particularly by children.
• Faulty Equipment: Pool drains, ladders, and filtration systems that are improperly maintained or defective can lead to dangerous conditions.
• Lack of Warning Signs: Areas with hidden dangers, such as deep water, rip currents, or sudden drop-offs, should be clearly marked to warn swimmers of potential hazards.
• Alcohol Use: Alcohol is a contributing factor in many drowning incidents, particularly in natural bodies of water or during boating activities.

At Edwards & Ragatz, P.A., we have successfully represented clients in a range of premises accident cases, and know how to thoroughly investigate, gather evidence, and structure sound and successful claims. We can discuss the details of yours during a personalized consultation. 

Florida’s Premises Liability Laws & Pool Safety Requirements

Florida has clear and enforceable premises liability laws, especially regarding pool safety. Under these laws, property owners are required to take reasonable steps to prevent drowning accidents on their premises. For example:

• Residential Pools: Florida law mandates that residential pools be equipped with safety features such as a pool barrier, fence, or cover. If these safety measures are not in place, homeowners can be held liable if someone, especially a child, gains access to the pool and suffers harm.
• Public Pools: Public and semi-public pool operators are required to comply with Florida’s public pool safety laws, which include regular inspections, proper chemical treatments, adequate lighting, and lifeguard staffing.

If these laws are violated, and an accident occurs, the property owner may be liable for the victim’s injuries or wrongful death.

Compensation for Drowning Accident Victims and Families

Victims of near-drowning or the families of those who have lost loved ones in drowning accidents may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (including long-term care and rehabilitation for near-drowning victims)
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of income and financial support
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship or consortium

Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. is dedicated to helping families recover the compensation they need to move forward after a devastating drowning accident. We understand that no amount of money can erase the pain of such a tragedy, but holding negligent parties accountable can help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

How Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. Can Help

With over 150 years of combined legal experience, our team has the knowledge, resources, and commitment to fight for justice on behalf of drowning and near-drowning victims and their families. Both of our partners, Tom Edwards and Eric Ragatz, are Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers, a distinction that reflects their expertise in handling complex personal injury cases.

Reasons why clients choose us:

• We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.
• We have extensive experience in premises liability and drowning accident cases.
• Our legal strategies are innovative and customized for each client’s unique situation.
• Our firm is known for taking on powerful corporations, insurance companies, and negligent property owners.

Examples of Our Results

Edwards & Ragatz, P.A. has leveraged the insight and experience of our top-rated trial lawyers to amass a truly impressive record of success. This includes thousands of successfully handled personal injury cases, record-setting verdicts and settlements, and hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation recovered for clients. 

Some examples of our results:

• $228 Million verdict – one of the largest personal injury judgments in Florida history.
• $178 Million record-setting medical malpractice verdict out of Duval County. 
• $11 Million recovery against an apartment complex due to negligent security.
• $8 Million recovery for a client who was injured in a hospital due to negligent security.

View more of our results here.