12-Year-Old at Bethesda Pool Saved From Drowning

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

On May 29, lifeguards saved a 12-year-old’s life at a public pool after they rescued her from drowning. The lifeguards performed CPR on the young child at the Bethesda Outdoor Pool in the 5000 block of Little Falls Drive in Bethesda, Maryland.

Swimming Pools Accidents

This accident provides further evidence of the dangers involved in swimming pool accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 10 people die from accidental drowning every day in the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 200 children under the age of 15 drown in pools between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.

What Makes Swimming Pools Dangerous

Swimming pools pose a number of hazards to both adults and children, such as:

  • Drowning and near-drowning accidents
  • Diving board and waterslide accidents
  • Slip and fall accidents
  • Drain accidents
  • Pool heater explosions
  • Electrical equipment malfunctions
  • Excessive chlorine
  • Exposure to bacteria

Pool Owner Liability

Some swimming pools are open to the public; other pools are owned by gyms, resorts, hotels, or apartment complexes and are available to their residents or customers. The owner, manager, or operator of a swimming pool may be accountable under premises liability law if an accident results from their negligence.

If you or a loved one has been injured or died in a swimming pool accident, contact us today at (202) 659-5500, or visit our website to fill out our online form.

Tip of the Week: To prevent swimming accidents, always provide competent adult supervision when the pool is in use. Even adults should never swim alone.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.