Family awarded $4 million in drowning accident of 5 year old son
A Maryland family was awarded $4 million in the drowning death of their 5-year-old son, Conner Freed, at Crofton Country Club. According to the Baltimore Sun, Hunt Valley-based DRD Pool Service Inc., the club's pool management company, was found negligent for failing to adequately train its lifeguards and properly staff the pool. It was ordered to pay Thomas Freed and Debra Neagle Webber $2,000,076 each - the 76 dollars serving as a symbol of Connor Freed's birthday, which was July 6.
A 16-year-old lifeguard, who had been on the job for three weeks, was on duty when Connor was found floating in the country club's outdoor pool about 4:30 p.m. June 22, 2006. He had been swimming at the pool with a family friend and two other children.
A Maryland state law caps jury awards in wrongful-death cases at $1.3 million, meaning the judgment awarded by the jury could be significantly decreased. Let's hope this stern verdict sends a warning to companies responsible for protecting our safety at community pools.
The family is calling for legislation that calls for a ratio of one lifeguard per 25 swimmers. Currently in Anne Arundel County, one lifeguard is required for every 50 swimmers. They have established a foundation in the honor of their son, Connor Cares.org
The Maryland Accident Law Blog cites a few chilling statistics on Children and Drowning incidents:
- Drowning is the second cause of injury-related deaths for kids ages 14 and under.
In 2004, 3702 children (ages 14 and under) were treated in emergency rooms after nearly drowning. (USA Safe Kids.org) - 40% of these near-drowning incidents took place in swimming pools. (USA Safe Kids.org)
- 19% of drowning deaths involving children occur in public pools with certified lifeguards present. (Drowning Prevention Foundation).
- In 2000, there were 3,482 unintentional drownings in the United States; that's an average of nine people per day (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be involved in the death of children 4 years of age and under (Orange County California Fire Authority).
- Children under five years of age and adolescents between the ages of 15-24 have the highest drowning rates (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Of all preschoolers who drown, 70 percent are in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning and 75 percent are missing from sight for five minutes or less (Orange County, CA, Fire Authority).
- The majority of children who survive (92 percent) are discovered within two minutes following submersion, and most children who die (86 percent) are found after 10 minutes. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) die or are left with severe brain injury (National Safe Kids Campaign).
After reading drowning statistics for children it makes one realize that water safety is crucial for children. If you are a lifeguard or parent with small children, please take every precaution not to leave a child unattended in a pool for even a few minutes. Take all the necessary precautions and protect the safety of a child swimming.
Click here to read more on this case from the Baltimore Sun.
Resources:
ConnorCares.org
USA Safekids.org
Poseidon.com
Drowning Statistics and Fact Sheet
