Brain Injury Attorney Blog

According to the WMBF News, Justin McKay, only thirteen years old, was the victim of a drowning at the Darlington City Pool. His teenage cousin is currently being hospitalized at a local hospital in the area and is in critical condition. It was reported that there were three life guards on duty when the incident occurred. The senior life guard decided to evacuate the pool due to inclement weather. Once the pool was empty, they noticed the two boys at the bottom of the pool. An investigation is being conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Darlington County Sheriff's Office and an autopsy has been scheduled. This was allegedly the first day the pool had been open for the summer.

This is an unfortunate situation for all individuals involved, especially the families of these young children. The cause of most drownings are improper safety measures and a lack of regulations. In the instant case, the lifeguards may not have had adequate experience and training. Reportedly, the pool was very crowded, most likely making it difficult for the lifeguards to see the two boys. It is difficult to discern the exact cause at this early stage; however, it cannot be denied that negligence has played a factor. If the pool was too crowded, the life guards should have identified the problem initially and this tragedy could have easily been avoided.

When a preventable drowning occurs, it is difficult to find justice within the system. Usually, the family members of the victims may decide to pursue a civil action against the persons at fault when little can be done on a criminal level. Often times, this can motivate higher safety precautions and minimize situations like this from occurring. We understand the pain and suffering this can cause for a family, which is why we choose to reach out to each of our clients on a personal level. If you need to speak with someone concerning a personal injury or wrongful death action, our South Carolina civil attorneys are here for you.