Chicago Fatal Drowning Accident Attorneys

Representing Families of the Victims of Fatal Drowning Accidents in Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Drowning most often takes the lives of young children. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than one-fifth of fatal drowning victims are children 14 years of age or younger. If you have lost a child or loved one due to a drowning accident, we understand that no amount of money can compensate you for your pain, but we strive to achieve justice by holding negligent parties responsible for the drowning accident.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal drowning accident, schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible wrongful death claim.

Common Causes of Fatal Drowning Accidents

Some common causes of a drowning include:

• Inadequate lifeguard staff
• Defective or inadequate safety equipment
• Ineffective barriers around the swimming pool or body of water
• Defective swimming pool drains and other entrapment hazards
• Contaminated water
• Lack of warning signs

Wrongful Death Lawsuits Involving Drowning Accidents

Swimming pool owners and operators, as well as those entities that maintain control over open bodies of water, are liable to take certain precautions to prevent drowning accidents and deaths. If the owner or operator fails to take the appropriate precautions, he or she may be liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.

A wrongful death lawsuit is a legal claim brought by the family of a deceased victim of negligence, and it can involve a number of complex legal issues pertaining to liability and damages. The plaintiff must first prove that the defendant is liable for the decedent’s death as a result of negligent or intentional wrongdoing, such as the failure to provide an effective barrier around a swimming pool or neglecting to employ adequate lifeguard staff.

Once liability is assessed, there are often complex legal issues regarding the appropriate level of compensation that should be awarded as damages, which can include compensation for items like medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future income, and pain and suffering. In some cases, punitive damages might be awarded, as well.

Wrongful death laws include strict time limitations (called statutes of limitations) governing when a lawsuit can be filed. Accordingly, it is important to act quickly to protect your rights. By enlisting the help of an experienced Illinois wrongful death attorney like those at Cogan & Power, you can promptly begin the legal analysis, factual investigation, and document preparation necessary to bring a successful wrongful death action.

Compassionate and Reasoned Legal Advice

The Chicago wrongful death attorneys at Cogan & Power have the compassion, skill, knowledge, and experience you need when you have lost a loved one in a drowning accident. Our Chicago drowning accident attorneys will listen to your concerns, conduct a comprehensive factual investigation of the accident, and analyze all possible legal claims against all possible defendants.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal drowning accident, contact the Chicago wrongful death lawyers at Cogan & Power at (312) 477-2500 to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible wrongful death claim. Because we take cases on a contingency basis, you will not pay any fee unless we get you compensation.