Cincinnati Drowning Accident Lawyer

In Cincinnati and throughout Ohio, families face unimaginable tragedy when a loved one is injured or killed in a swimming pool accident.

These incidents can happen in seconds, but their impact can last a lifetime.

If you or someone you care about has been affected by a drowning or near-drowning incident, you need experienced legal representation.

Our Cincinnati drowning accident lawyers at Monge & Associates will fight for you every step of the way. Since 1993, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims across the nation.

Contact us today and learn how we can help your family seek justice.

How Monge & Associates Can Help

When a drowning accident affects you and your family, you need the right support and guidance to seek justice.

Monge & Associates brings years of experience handling swimming pool accident claims nationwide.

We know how to investigate the incident, identify all potentially liable parties, and aggressively negotiate with insurers and defense lawyers to secure winning results for our clients.

Our client-focused approach means you receive personalized attention throughout your case.

We recognize that every family’s situation is different, and we tailor our legal strategy to meet your needs and circumstances.

We also operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs or attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

This arrangement allows you to focus on healing while we take care of your case.

Understanding Drowning and Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pool accidents can occur for various reasons, many of which involve preventable negligence.

Common causes include:

• Inadequate supervision
• Missing or defective safety barriers
• Slippery surfaces around pool areas
• Malfunctioning equipment
• The absence of qualified lifeguards when required

These tragic accidents can happen in many different types of pools, from residential and community pools to hotels and resorts, spas, and water parks.

The type of facility where your accident occurred can affect your legal options and the parties who may be held responsible.

Legal Responsibilities and Liability in Ohio

In Ohio, property owners have specific duties to maintain safe conditions for visitors.

When they fail to meet these responsibilities, they can be held accountable for the resulting injuries.

Homeowners who own residential pools, businesses that operate commercial swimming facilities, and maintenance providers who fail to properly service pool systems can all potentially be held liable.

These parties owe different levels of care depending on a visitor’s legal status when the accident occurred:

• As an invitee, someone welcomed onto the property for the owner’s benefit, like a guest at a hotel or patron at a water park—you are owed the highest level of care. Property owners must exercise ordinary care for your safety and warn you of dangers you couldn’t reasonably discover yourself.

• You are a licensee if you enter the property with permission but for your own benefit, such as a social guest using a friend’s backyard pool. Property owners must refrain from willfully or recklessly causing harm and warn of hidden dangers they know about.

• Even trespassers receive protections under Ohio law; property owners cannot willfully harm a trespasser. A law known as the attractive nuisance doctrine provides special protection for children. Certain property features, like swimming pools, can attract children who don’t understand the dangers involved, requiring property owners to take reasonable steps to protect young trespassers from these hazardous conditions.

Steps to Take After a Swimming Pool Accident

If you are injured in a swimming pool accident, your first step should be to seek medical attention.

These incidents can cause delayed complications that you may not notice right away, such as secondary drowning, where water in the lungs can cause breathing problems hours or even days later.

Seeking medical care not only protects your health but also establishes a record of your injuries that can help support your legal claim.

While you are still at the scene, gather as much evidence as you safely can.

Take photographs of the pool area, any safety equipment or warning signs, and the conditions that contributed to the accident.

Collect contact information from witnesses and file an incident report if the accident occurred at a commercial facility.

Ohio’s statute of limitations typically gives you two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, but this deadline can vary.

To protect your right to compensation, speak with a Cincinnati drowning accident lawyer right away.

An attorney will preserve all pieces of evidence, help meet all deadlines, and build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Compensation Available for Victims

As a victim of a swimming pool accident, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation in your claim.

In a personal injury lawsuit, your settlement can help pay for:

• All medical expenses associated with the injury
• Lost wages and reduced earning potential
• Property damage sustained in the accident
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering

If you lost a loved one in a drowning accident, you may have grounds to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

These claims allow surviving family members to recover compensation for the loss of the deceased person’s financial support, care, companionship, guidance, and other damages. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Drowning Accident Claims

Can I sue if the accident happened at a friend’s house?

Yes, you may have grounds for a lawsuit even when the accident occurs at a friend’s residence. You will need to prove that your friend failed to uphold their duty to maintain safe premises.

Does a “No Lifeguard” sign protect pool owners from liability?

Warning signs alone don’t automatically shield pool owners from liability. Property owners still have the duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions and address known hazards.

What’s the deadline to file a drowning accident claim in Ohio?

Ohio’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances can affect this deadline, so it is important to speak with a Cincinnati personal injury lawyer right away.

Contact Monge & Associates Today

The Cincinnati drowning accident attorneys at Monge & Associates can provide the compassionate, aggressive representation your case demands.

We offer free consultations to discuss your situation and explain your legal options without any obligation.

Contact us today at (513) 224-5591 to schedule your case review and take the first step toward justice.