Drowning Accident Death Attorney in Decatur, GA

In Neef of a Drowning Accident Wrongful Death Attorney

A trusted drowning accident lawyer in Decatur understands the pain that many Georgia families experience after the loss of a loved one. Each year, thousands of accidental drownings occur across the country. They often happen in the summer when local swimming pools, beaches, and resorts are most crowded, but they can happen anytime.

Most of the time, drowning accidents are preventable and in some situations, negligence is a factor. If someone’s actions played a role in the death of your loved one, you should take urgent action to seek legal assistance. If you would like to learn about your legal options for filing a wrongful death claim because of a drowning accident, set up a consultation with a committed and experienced Dekalb County wrongful death attorney like one from the Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm.

Dedicated Drowning Accident Lawyer in Decatur, Georgia

As one of Georgia’s top wrongful death attorneys, Roger Krause has been assisting clients for years, helping the families of victims whose deaths occurred due to negligence and wrongdoing. Our law firm understands that dealing with the complexities of legal matters shortly after suddenly losing a loved one is highly difficult for families to accomplish.

At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we devote our practice entirely to wrongful death cases throughout Georgia. This exclusive focus gives us the insight, experience, and dedication to handle these complex claims with skill and compassion. We are relentless in our pursuit of justice, working to hold negligent parties accountable while helping families secure the financial stability they need to move forward. Contact our Decatur wrongful death lawyer today to learn how we can help you and your family move forward.

Understanding the Common Causes of Drowning Accidents in Decatur, Georgia

Drowning accidents are among the most tragic and preventable incidents, often leaving families devastated and searching for answers. These accidents frequently result from negligence in private pools, public swimming areas, lakes, or water parks. Understanding the leading causes of drowning in Georgia can help families recognize when a wrongful death claim may be warranted.

They include, but are not limited to:

• Lack of Proper Supervision

Children and inexperienced swimmers are especially vulnerable to drowning when lifeguards, parents, or property owners lack adequate supervision. Even a brief moment of inattention can lead to a fatal accident, particularly in crowded pools, lakes, or hotel swimming areas.

• Defective or Missing Safety Barriers

Georgia law requires proper fencing, gates, and pool covers for residential and public pools to prevent accidental drownings. If a pool owner fails to install or maintain these barriers—or leaves gates unlocked—unsupervised children or visitors may enter and suffer fatal injuries.

• Inadequate Warning Signs and Safety Equipment

Public and commercial swimming areas must clearly warn about deep water, dangerous currents, or hidden hazards. The absence of life rings, ropes, or emergency flotation devices can increase the risk of drowning when someone struggles in the water.

• Dangerous Water Conditions in Lakes and Rivers

Natural bodies of water, such as nearby lakes, reservoirs, and rivers, pose unique risks, including strong currents, sudden drop-offs, and hidden debris. Boaters and swimmers unaware of these dangers can easily find themselves in life-threatening situations.

• Boating and Watercraft-Related Incidents

Many drowning deaths occur due to boating accidents, especially when operators are under the influence, speeding, or failing to provide proper life jackets for passengers. Collisions, capsizing, and falls overboard can quickly turn fatal if individuals are not adequately equipped for survival.

• Poorly Maintained Pools and Spas

Defective or improperly maintained pools can create slip-and-fall hazards, broken ladders, or faulty drains contributing to drowning accidents. Pool drains with excessive suction can trap swimmers underwater, particularly children, resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.

• Lack of Emergency Response and Lifesaving Training

When lifeguards, pool attendants, or staff at water parks are improperly trained or fail to respond quickly to a drowning emergency, the chances of survival decrease dramatically. Facilities that do not enforce CPR training, rescue protocols, or emergency response procedures can be held accountable for fatal drownings.

How Negligence Is Proven in a Drowning Wrongful Death Claim

In drowning wrongful death cases, establishing negligence is crucial to holding the responsible party accountable. Whether the drowning occurred at a private pool, public swimming facility, lake, or water park, proving negligence requires demonstrating that the property owner, lifeguard, boat operator, or another responsible party failed to uphold their legal duty to keep the area safe.

To build a strong drowning wrongful death claim, four key elements of negligence must be proven:

Duty of Care

The first step in proving negligence is establishing that the at-fault party had a legal duty to ensure the victim’s safety.

This duty may apply to:

• Property owners must maintain safe swimming pools and water areas.
• Lifeguards and facility operators who are responsible for supervising swimmers.
• Boaters and watercraft operators who must follow boating laws and safety protocols.
• Schools, daycare centers, and camps when accountable for children near water.

Breach of Duty

Once a duty of care is established, the next step is proving that the responsible party failed to fulfill that duty.

Examples of breaches of duty in drowning cases include:

• Failure to provide supervision, such as a lifeguard leaving their post or a property owner failing to monitor guests in a pool.
• Lack of proper safety measures, such as missing fences, gates, or lifesaving equipment.
• Failure to warn of known dangers, such as strong currents, deep water, or hidden hazards.
• Violation of state or local pool safety regulations.

Causation

To prove negligence, it must be shown that the breach of duty directly caused or contributed to the drowning.

This often involves:

• Eyewitness statements confirming inadequate supervision or unsafe conditions.
• Surveillance footage showing the lack of action or failure to prevent the drowning.
• Expert testimony from safety professionals or medical experts.
• Incident reports documenting prior safety violations or hazards.

Damages

The final element in a wrongful death claim is proving the damages suffered by the victim’s family due to the drowning.

Families may seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses (if emergency treatment was attempted before death).
• Funeral and burial costs.
• Loss of financial support (if the victim contributed to the family’s income).
• Loss of companionship and emotional suffering.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Drowning Wrongful Death?

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable After a Drowning Death

Proving negligence in a drowning case requires extensive evidence and legal skills. At Wrongful Death Krause Law Firm, we conduct thorough investigations, gather key evidence, and work with experts to build the strongest case possible.

If your loved one drowned due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek justice. Contact our Decatur drowning wrongful death attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.