Key Takeaways
- Water-related accidents often cause serious or fatal injuries, and drowning survivors may be left with disabilities from oxygen deprivation.
- Drownings commonly occur in rivers, lakes, oceans, private and public pools, and boating accidents.
- Safe Kids Oregon reports that in a recent two-year period, 38 Oregon children ages 1 to 19 drowned and 37 were hospitalized.
- A near-drowning can cause permanent impairments such as brain damage, lung damage, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and hypothermia.
- Liable parties may include a boat operator, a homeowner, a municipality for a school or public pool, or a lifeguard who failed to act.
Water-related accidents often lead to serious or fatal injuries, as submersion poses a high risk of permanent damage. Those who survive a drowning may be left with disabilities due to oxygen deprivation while submerged. If a loved one suffered fatal injuries, our Portland drowning lawyer is prepared to seek justice for your family. The most common areas where these tragic accidents occur include:
- Rivers
- Lakes
- Boating accidents
- Private pools
- Public pools
- Ocean drownings
Contact Our Portland Personal Injury Lawyer
Why Choose Our Portland Drowning Lawyers?
At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we understand that a Portland wrongful death lawsuit may be the last thing on your mind after a loved one drowns. However, we firmly believe that negligent parties should be held accountable. A lawsuit may prevent another similar accident befalling someone else. We also understand how important a financial recovery can be in covering treatment, therapy, and other associated medical costs.
Our team of litigators is known for our professional skills at trial, and for achieving success both in settlements and in court. Our approach is different than many law firms; we take on a limited number of cases, so we can devote all of our time and resources to every case. When we take on your case, you can be confident that we will do everything possible to bring it to a positive resolution.
- We are aggressive negotiators and experienced personal injury trial lawyers in Portland. We never hesitate to take a case to trial if it will be most effective in recovering the maximum possible compensation.
- We have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and have an excellent reputation among our peers and in the courts. We have received many recognitions for our legal work from respected organizations.
- We are honest and transparent with our clients and always act in their best interests, above all.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
Drowning Statistics
Drownings occur at an alarming rate in the United States, including in Oregon and Washington. In Oregon, in a recent two year period, 38 children from ages 1 to 19 drowned and 37 were hospitalized after a water-related incident, according to Safe Kids Oregon. The agency reports that 34 percent of the drowning fatalities in the state were children under 19 years old and occurred in swimming pools.
In Washington, the drowning rates are higher than the national rate, according to the Washington Department of Health. In a recent year, there were 133 residents who died, 17 of which were boating-related. The highest rate of death was for males aged 15 – 24.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Drowning vs. Near-Drowning
While many tragic cases of drowning are fatal, some victims survive. A near-drowning often leads to permanent impairments, including:
- Brain damage
- Lung damage
- Pneumonia
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome (SRDS)
- Hypothermia
- Other injuries related to diving, such as a broken neck, broken bones, or spinal injuries
Who is Liable in a Portland Drowning Case?
The liable parties in a drowning must be identified for legal action to be initiated to recover damages. The liable parties may be a boat operator, homeowner, municipality if the drowning occurred at a school or public pool, or a lifeguard to who failed to act when a person was obviously in distress. If your family member has suffered fatal or catastrophic injuries in a drowning accident, it is imperative that you seek the help of our team of litigators at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC. We provide top-level legal skills to our clients, and frequently take these cases to civil court for resolution.
Why You Need a Portland Drowning Lawyer?
A drowning case, whether fatal or leading to permanent injuries, takes a heavy toll on the family, both financially and emotionally. With the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer from our team, your rights and interests can be protected. We pursue the maximum possible in compensation in every drowning case we take on, and we have a genuine dedication to helping our clients achieve justice and full compensation.
Contact Us Today for Help
If your loved one has been seriously injured or died in a drowning accident, contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, for a free case consultation. Our Portland catastrophic injury attorney is ready to take on your case.