As summertime begins to wind down in Chicago, the available time for kids to swim outdoors in pools is coming to a close. Before school begins, children across the city are taking to pools to get in some last minute time in the water, swimming and playing during the warm weather. Most of these children safely enjoy their time in a swimming pool but unfortunately not all do. Every year, swimming pool accidents lead to injuries among children and adults across Chicago. Some may even lose their lives while in a swimming pool.
These accidents can be devastating to those involved as well as their families and loved ones. Damages may be severe or even permanent and can lead to financial hardship due to medical expenses or even lost wages if a victim or a victim’s parent must take time off from work. The laws in Illinois are designed to protect the victims of accidents, including swimming pool accidents, and may enable victims to obtain compensation for their damages that result from an incident. Speaking with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Chicago may help you understand your legal options if you or your loved one has been harmed in a swimming pool incident.
A Tuesday morning swimming party reportedly turned tragic when a 12-year-old child drown in the water, according to local police. The incident took place at an apartment complex pool in Arlington Heights on Goebbert Road. According to witnesses, several children were swimming in the pool when the 12-year-old went to the deep end and fell under the water. An employee of the apartment complex reportedly noticed the girl and pulled her from the water where emergency medical crews responded and transported her to Northwestern Community Hospital for treatment. After some time at Northwestern Community Hospital, the girl was transported to Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago but the child’s injuries were too severe and she died at the hospital.
At this time, officials believe that the child did not live at the apartment complex where the incident occurred but rather was a resident of Chicago and was simply visiting for the day. The incident is under investigation at this time while officials try to determine what led to the girl’s drowning and whether negligence played a role.
When harm occurs to someone on the premises owned by another and those premises were dangerous, poorly maintained, or otherwise hazardous, the victims of that incident may be entitled to relief. These claims can be available regardless of whether anyone was cited in the incident or whether officials made a determination of fault.
The personal injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free case consultations to all injury victims. We make ourselves available by phone toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we provide the consultation without any obligation on the part of the victim or victims involved. If you prefer to meet with us in person but you or your loved one is too injured to travel, we also offer free in-home and in-hospital consultations so that you can receive the answers you deserve, whenever you need them.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we put the rights of victims first and we are ready to fight for you. If you or your child has been injured in a swimming pool accident in Chicago, call us today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Car Crash Leaves Bicyclist Dead in Garfield Ridge, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published August 18, 2014.
Resource:
Girl pulled from Arlington Heights pool dies, by Adam Sege and Sally Ho, Chicago Tribune, published August 19, 2014.