California Injury Blog
Grayson Brown, 2, died from injuries he suffered in a swimming pool accident on August 6, 2017 in an unincorporated areas outside of Santa Ana. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the boy was pronounced dead on August 8. He was discovered in a residential swimming pool in the 13000 block of Hewes Avenue.
When Orange County Fire Authority personnel arrived, the boy was not breathing and had no pulse. Rescue personnel were able to perform CPR and resuscitate the child. However, he died two days later from his injuries. Officials say there was no fencing around the pool where this tragic drowning occurred. So far, this year alone, there have been 28 drowning incidents in Orange County, fire officials report.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family members of Grayson Brown for their tragic loss. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Swimming Pool Accidents
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day in the United States, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. And, for every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
More than half of drowning victims treated in emergency departments require hospitalization or transfer for further care. These near drowning incidents have the potential to cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.
Importance of a Pool Fence
Most cities require homeowners to install a fence when buying a new in-ground or above-ground swimming pool. However, there are still many pools that do not have a fence. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that homeowners install a pool fence that is at least 4 feet high and has a self-closing, self-latching, child-resistant gate. The gate needs to be tall enough so children cannot reach their hands over and unlock it. It is also a good idea to have audible alarms so you know when a child has made his or her way to the backyard and is near the water. These layers of protection can play an important role in preventing a heartbreaking tragedy.
If you would like to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights in a swimming pool accident case, please contact an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases.