Drowning Deaths in Puget Sound Often the Result of Negligence
Posted Friday, September 11, 2020 by Chris Thayer
According to a 2017 Seattle Times report, Washington averages around 100 drowning deaths a year. That is a statewide number. In 2016, the number bumped all the way to 180, with many of the victims being strong swimmers and avid boaters. So, what causes drowning deaths in Mercer Island and the greater Puget Sound area? Sometimes, it is actually negligence. While not all injuries and drowning deaths are the result of someone else’s carelessness, it is usually worth speaking to an experienced Seattle injury lawyer as soon as possible to find out your options.
**Types of Drownings and Water Injuries in Puget Sound
**There are a lot of ways to get hurt when engaging in recreational activities in Puget Sound. The water often remains just above freezing for most of the year. In fact, as reported by the Seattle Times, one Sheriff explained that the water simply does not get much warmer in the summer. People, especially tourists, often disregard or underestimate the dangers of icy cold waterways. Here are a few ways people can run into problems on the water.
- Boat capsize – You cannot stay awake and tread water for long if you go into hypothermia.
- Head injuries – Like any water injury, if you are thrown from a vessel and strike your head, you cannot swim to safety.
- Poor planning – People often love the idea of a relaxing kayak trip on the Sound, until they are caught in freezing rain or the temperature drops rapidly. This can lead a person to be stranded without the proper gear on open waters.
*The Role Companies and Others May Play in Injuries* It may be odd to think of suffering an injury on the water and blaming it on someone else. However, there are distinct situations in which someone else’s careless or even greedy actions can lead to tragic consequences. Consider these examples.
- A kayak rental shop sends someone out on the water in a defective kayak or one with a crack in the hull or even an active leak.
- A child’s life vest is unserviceable, meaning it does not keep the child above water in the event of being knocked unconscious.
- A drunk boater strikes a paddle boarded or kayaker, causing a capsize.
- A Jet ski owner allows an intoxicated person to operate it.
In each of the above hypotheticals, you can easily see where someone has acted carelessly and put someone else’s life in danger. When things like this happen, serious or fatal injuries can and do occur. You can usually bet that an insurance company will refuse to pay on these types of claims. You will need to have an aggressive and knowledgeable team of injury attorneys on your side just to stand up to the insurance company. Whether it is a drowning or serious injury, if you or someone close to you has been hurt on the water in the Seattle, Mercer Island, or greater Puget Sound area, you need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer right away. Call the Pivotal Law Group today for a free conversation about your rights. But act fast, there are statutory time limits on pursuing justice. If you wait too long, you could forever lose your rights.