Elderly and Danger of Drowning

A 90-year-old Parkland man was found lifeless in his swimming pool in May, apparently having drowned. The man’s wheelchair was also found in the pool. The elderly are second only to children under four as a group particularly vulnerable to drowning accidents.

Drowning and near drowning among the elderly occur in situations where an elderly person is unattended, such as while living alone or in an assisted living facility with inadequate supervision. Pool accidents are most often caused by:

• Poor motor control – some illnesses and conditions are associated with loss of muscle and nerve control, making swimming perilous

• Cognitive impairment – confusion can lead an elderly adult to enter a body of water at an inappropriate time

• Disorientation – swimming at night can cause an elderly adult to confuse the surface with the pool or ocean floor

• Unsafe pool areas– slippery areas surrounding a pool or tub can lead to dangerous and deadly falls

When an elderly adult drowns in a nursing home or assisted care facility, the staff and owners of the facility may be liable for negligence. If your loved one has died due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the facility.

As in any wrongful death case, you must be able to prove that a loved one’s death was a direct result of another’s negligence. You have a right to monetary compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and more. For a free consultation, call the Palm Harbor Law Office of Paul B. Genet, P.A. at 727-510-8802 or contact us online.