Nine Year Old Boy Drowns In Raleigh Apartment Pool

In Raleigh, North Carolina an elementary school child was pulled from the apartment complex pool by emergency officials after they received reports of a drowning. The boy had been swimming with his friends, and emergency workers attempted to resuscitate him before taking him to the hospital. There was no lifeguard on duty. The boy died the next morning at a university hospital.

North Carolina has a lot of tourist attractions and athletic facilities that provide swimming pools to guests and members. Several residential facilities, like the apartment in the story above, also offer indoor or outdoor pools for residents and guests of the residents. While a great pastime during the hot summer months, swimming pools and other bodies of water can readily become a dangerous environment for those who use them, especially children.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), drowning is the second most common cause of injury death for children age 5 and younger in the United States. A recent study published by Pediatrics, found out that around two-thirds of pediatricians, family physicians, and pediatric nurse practitioners who serve families with young children in Los Angeles County did not know that drowning caused more deaths among children than ingesting toxins or using firearms. This study shows that even medical professionals are unaware of the extensive risks that drowning poses to young children.

The North Carolina Administrative Codes (NCAC) thoroughly outlines the safety features pools must have for public use. Some important requirements include the placement and location of depth markings (for minimum and maximum depths), the placement of signs like “no diving” or “no lifeguard on duty”, and the use of artificial lighting for pools open at night. Public pools are supposed to be enclosed by a fence, wall, building, or combination of the three to avoid accidental drownings of those who could not tell a swimming pool was present. The more communication there is of the pool, its depth, and how to get out, the safer the experience will be. Life saving equipment shall always be available in case an emergency does occur.

All institutions that provide public pools must follow these safety guidelines, as they are under a duty to provide safe premises for those they invite onto their property or reasonably expect, like guests of those who live in a residential complex or are members of the club with the pool. Failure to provide safe premises creates liability for the owners of the pool and property if their negligence results in injury or death.

The North Carolina Personal Injury attorneys, Arlene and Herbert Auger, have over 40 years of combined experience negotiating and litigating on behalf of injured clients. With several 6-figure settlements under their belts, they know how to maximize the compensation you are entitled to and need for your living and medical expenses. If you or someone you know has been injured in a swimming pool or drowning accident, contact one of our skilled attorneys at (888) 487-0835 for a free, confidential consultation.

Related Blog Posts:

Teenager Drowns in Public Pool, North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, June 8, 2010

Is Your Local Swimming Pool Safe?, North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, May 17, 2010