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Rise in Drowning Deaths
While pool and beach time tends to be at its highest during the summer months in Vista, residents of San Diego County and visitors to the area alike enjoy swimming and spending time on the water year-round, thanks to the climate in Southern California. While swimming in pools and in the ocean can be a fun and exciting recreational activity for individuals and families regardless of age, swimming and being near the water can also be dangerous — especially for very young children and adults when alcohol is involved. According to a recent study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning deaths have risen notably in recent years, and thousands of people are dying annually because of drowning.
What do you need to know about drowning risks based on the data in the new study, and who is responsible? An experienced Vista drowning accident attorney at our firm can provide you with important information.
Understanding the Increase in Drowning Rates
The CDC reports that drowning deaths among kids between the ages of 1 and 4 rose by between 20% and 28% for different groups based on age and race, resulting in a total of 4,500 drowning deaths during that three-year period. An additional 500 people sustained fatal drowning injuries in that period than in similar periods in previous years.
It is important to know that certain property owners may be liable for drowning accidents depending on the circumstances. If there are hazards around a pool or swimming area that are not properly maintained, or a swimming pool itself is not properly maintained, a hotel or motel owner or the owner of a country club or other private pool could be responsible for damages. At the same time, it is essential to understand the risk factors in drowning accidents and to take steps to avoid these devastating accidents whenever possible.
Certain Groups at Higher Risk of Drowning Deaths
The CDC study, published in May 2024, revealed that the marked rise in drowning deaths occurred largely among people in three groups: children between the ages of 1 and 4, older adults aged 65 and up, and Black people. While data has long shown that young children are particularly at risk of injuries in drowning accidents — indeed, drowning has long been and remains the number-one cause of death in kids between the ages of 1 and 4 — rates of drowning among older adults have risen, as have those among Black Americans. The CDC reports that “the highest drowning rates” identified between 2020-2022 “were among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native and non-Hispanic Black persons.”
Among young children, lack of proper supervision and hazards around a pool area or body of water (even bathtubs, for example) remain the most common reasons for drowning accidents.
One of the major reasons for a rise in drowning injuries and deaths among older adults and Black Americans of all ages is a lack of swimming knowledge. The CDC reports that nearly 37% of Black adults self-report that they do not know how to swim, compared with only 15% of all American adults across races. About 63% of Black adults and nearly 75% of Hispanic adults report that they have never taken a swimming lesson, and that number is significantly lower for Americans of other races. The CDC underscores that even limited swimming lessons “can save lives.”
Contact a Vista Personal Injury Attorney for Assistance
Drowning injuries and deaths may result from the injured person’s own carelessness, but there are many circumstances in which one or more other parties may be liable. Whether a drowning accident occurred at a beach, at a private pool, or at a hotel or motel in Southern California, you may be able to file a claim to hold one or more parties accountable and to seek financial compensation for losses. One of our experienced Vista drowning accident lawyers can help you. Contact the Walton Law Firm to find out more about how we can assist you with a drowning injury claim and about the range of personal injury services we provide to injury victims and their families in Southern California.
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