Nearly half of all drownings in the United States take place between May and June. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of injury and death to minor children in Florida. Drowning remains the second leading cause of all accidental deaths with slightly more than 8,000 occurring each and every year. Children ages 5 and less have the highest incident of drowning and drowning related injuries. A Tampa Drowning Lawyer can assist loved ones who have suffered such a devastating loss or drowning related injury.
While "wet" drownings are easily understood and can be prevented, "dry" drownings are quickly gaining more and more notoriety with recent publicized deaths of several minor children. Dry drowning can be different depending upon the age group. For example, dry drowning can occur in toddlers when their larynx and vocal cords spasm due to extreme temperature changes; which is different from a delayed drowning where the toddler actually swallowed water. When the larynx and vocal cords begin to spasm, it can cause the toddler to experience breathing difficulties which can turn fatal without proper medical care and attention.
Dry drowning in minor children often occurs when the child swallows water that reaches the lungs and blocks oxygen from leaving the lungs to enter into the blood stream. The most common symptom of dry drowning is persistent coughing. Parents should observe their children for abnormal coughing that has lasted longer than normal or his/her breathing appears labored. Other symptoms parents should remain on the lookout for are chest pains, confusion, sweaty skin, lethargy and extreme exhaustion.
If you or a loved one have any questions regarding a near drowning or drowning accident, please contact us, your Tampa Personal Injury Lawyers. Our lawyers continue to litigate swimming pool and drowning cases throughout the greater Tampa Bay area, including Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Manatee, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.