Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Surprising Factors in Water-Related Child Injuries (Part A)
When it comes to protecting children from water-related injuries, most people probably think about drowning dangers at swimming pools, lakes and other swimming spots. But swimming isn’t the only scenario that puts children at risk for drowning and other water-related child injuries.
In addition to pools and large bodies of water, parents and other adults including teachers, baby-sitters and childcare workers who are in contact with children must consider the wide-range of water hazards that can present a danger to young children. Some of these sources of danger might come as a surprise to even the most vigilant and responsible of adults.
Sources of Water-Related Child Injuries
While most adults are aware of the need to protect children from obvious dangers such as the ocean or swimming pools, some common household water-related hazards might go unnoticed or unconsidered. Listed below are a few unexpected spots for water-related child injuries and drowning:
- Toilets
- Tubs
- Spas
- Buckets, particularly industrial sized 5-gallon buckets
- Fish tanks
- Ice chests or coolers containing melted water
- Canals
- Ornamental landscaped ponds, such as fish ponds
- Sinks
Risks for Water-Related Child Injuries
There are numerous ways in which seemingly innocuous household objects can pose a significant threat to a child. Listed below are a few of the reasons that various water-related hazards are considered to be drowning concerns for young children:
- Young children naturally possess a strong sense of curiosity, particularly around water
- Children can drown in as little as one inch (2.5 centimeters) of water
- Adults who do not realize that constant supervision is required for a child near any type of water, even a small bucket or sink
A serious child accident, such as a water-related injury, can cause injuries that require life-long care or result in death.
If your child has been injured in a water-related accident in Massachusetts you should contact an experienced Boston child injury lawyer to determine liability and discuss your legal options. Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit if too much time has passed.
To get more information, speak to an injury lawyer at Kiley Law Group for guidance on your child injury case.
Continue to Surprising Factors in Water-Related Child Injuries (Part B) >>
