Swimming Pool Incident Leaves Toddler in Critical Condition

For most in Phoenix and across the Valley, school is back in session and summertime activities have officially come to a close. But unlike many other areas of the country, the swimming season is still alive and will be for many families for months to come. With a large number of private homes in Phoenix utilizing private swimming pools and many others taking advantage of public pools across the Valley, time in the water is common for many adults and many children.

Unfortunately, along with the fun that comes with hitting the water, risks also are present when a child uses a swimming pool. Swimming pool accidents occur every year in Phoenix and the surrounding metro areas and they leave children seriously injured or even dead. The damages done by these accidents cannot be erased and some families will suffer for a lifetime due to these incidents but the financial toll may be eased through the use of a civil claim. A civil claim can help a family recover funds to cover the monetary damages experienced by these incidents including the medical and rehabilitative bills that may be incurred. Consulting with a personal injury lawyer who represents children and minors in Phoenix may help you understand whether your family or your loved one has a valid claim for relief.

Around 5:00 p.m. yesterday, a mother in Mesa reportedly called 911 after finding her 20-month-old toddler submerged in a backyard swimming pool. Officials responded to the scene and provided emergency medical care to the child while transporting the toddler, a girl, to Cardon Children’s Medical Center. At this time, the toddler is unable to breathe on her own and is listed in critical condition with doctors unsure of the child’s prognosis.

Local officials investigated at the scene of the near-drowning which occurred on West Naranja Avenue and they believe that the adult in charge of watching the child lost track of her for a few minutes. During that time, officials believe the child walked into the garage and through an exterior garage door that led to the backyard. There, a fence surrounded the swimming pool but it appears that the latch may have been broken or may have not functioned as designed and therefore did not prohibit the toddler from accessing the water. Though no determinations have been made, authorities believe the child could have been submerged for up to 15 minutes in the water before she was found.

An injury to a child affects an entire family, a neighborhood, and a community. Though nothing can remove the harm done to these young victims, they may be able to obtain the care they need through a legal action for damages.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., our firm is comprised of attorneys who are dedicated to the representation of victims who have been harmed by the actions of others, and we want to help you as well. We offer a free case consultation without any obligation to those who contact us toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and we provide it 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If a swimming pool accident in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Scottsdale, or Tempe has left your child injured, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help your family seek the relief you deserve.

Prior Blog Entry:

Rollover Crash in Chandler Ends with Driver Fleeing, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 26, 2014.

Resource:

Toddler remains in critical condition after near-drowning in Mesa, by Nicole Garcia, Fox 10 News, published September 29, 2014.