Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that eight manufacturers have recalled about 1 million defective pool drain covers because of a possible entrapment hazard for swimmers. According to the CPSC, the recalled pool drain covers were made by A&A, AquaStar, Color Match, Custom Molded Products, Hayward Pool Products, Pentair Water Pool & Spa, Rising Dragon and Waterway.

The massive recall was issued because the drain covers "were incorrectly rated to handle the flow of water through the cover." This issue results in potential dangers to people swimming near the drain. Defective drain covers can pose significant hazards. For example, toes, feet and fingers can become trapped and hair can become tangled in faulty drain covers, thereby causing swimmers to become entrapped. This can lead to near-drowning or drowning incidents as well. So far, no injuries or fatalities have been linked to the recalled products.

According to recently released swimming pool accident statistics by CPSC, there were 55 drowning accidents and 63 near-drowning incidents in 29 states in the first five months of 2011. The report also states that 96 percent of victims who are seriously injured in submersion incidents will die as a result of their injuries. Also, 72 percent of submersion victims die the same day and another 24 percent of them pass away within a week of the incident. The high fatality rate in such submersion cases is due to the potential for severe brain damage when oxygen to the brain is cut off.

When a Philadelphia drowning accident occurs due to a faulty pool drain cover, the injured victim or family of the deceased victim can file a claim against the manufacturer of the defective product. The owner of the swimming pool can also be held liable for using a dangerous and defective product in their facility.

For more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact the experienced Pennsylvania products liability lawyers at Anapol Schwartz. We will fight for your rights, look out for your best interests and ensure that you receive fair compensation for all your injuries, damages and losses. Call us today at 1-866-735-2792 to find out how we can help.

A sixteen-year-old boy drowned in a section of the Beaver River upstream from Fallston Bridge in New Brighton recently, according to Pittsburgh ABC affiliate WTAE. The boy was swimming in the river with friends when he was pulled underwater by an underlying current. The remaining teenagers immediately called local emergency services for help.

The first responder to the scene was a Fallston firefighter, who tied a rope around his waist and entered the river in search of the missing swimmer. However, recent rains had stirred up sediment in the river, making the water murky and reducing visibility. The firefighter was unable to find the sixteen-year-old during his search and had to return to shore. Additional search crews searched for about an hour before they recovered the swimmer's body from the scene. Police are investigating the incident.

Swimming is a highly popular activity in the hot summer months. But swimming in moving water or waters not specifically indicated for swimming, like a river, can be dangerous. Fast-moving water can hide strong currents or hazards like rocks. It is important to heed any warnings posted by local authorities or by private landowners.

If you or someone you love has been injured while swimming, the experienced Pennsylvania drowning accident attorneys at Anapol Schwartz may be able to help. Our attorneys are committed to protecting your rights as we fight to win you the compensation you need to recover from an accident. If you have been injured due to another's negligence, please don't hesitate to call Anapol Schwartz today at 866-735-2792 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.