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California Boys Prevent a Pool Tragedy
September 06, 2007

It was a miraculous escape for 2-year-old William Grimes. The toddler was at his grandparents' house over the Labor Day weekend, with his mother and two elder brothers for a family barbeque. His mother, Gina Teachman, asked someone to remove his floaties for a while so he could snack. In the few minutes that it took for someone to find his floaties to put them back on him, the boy slipped into the shallow end of the pool. His 10-year-old brother Gunnar found him a few minutes later sprawled at the bottom of the pool. According to the Huntington Beach Fire Department, Gunnar dove in and pulled the little boy to safety. His friend Corey then performed CPR, a procedure he'd seen on television, and was able to resuscitate the boy. William was dazed and lethargic when he came to, but after tests at Huntington Beach Hospital and Children's Hospital Orange County, the boy has been given a clean bill of health with no fears of lasting damage.

This story has a happy ending. William is fine and his family is relieved to have him back safe and sound. Every year however, close to 300 children under the age of five die in swimming pool related accidents in the sun-worshipping parts of the country. In fact in children of this age group drowning is the second most common cause of death, second only to auto accidents. Not surprisingly California leads the way in the death rates for children in swimming pool related accidents.

Whether the pool is part of a home, resort or a community facility, the responsibility of the safety of those using it rests with the owners of the pool. In California, law demands that private pools be properly fenced to help prevent tragedy. Owners of an unfenced pool that causes injuries or death to a child can be held liable for damages. In cases of swimming pool deaths however, early investigations are of the utmost importance to ascertain liability.

If your child has been injured in a swimming pool accident due to negligence of a pool owner, you need quality legal assistance to prepare your case. Talk to the personal injury lawyers at The Reeves Law Group and get a free consultation on your case.

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