Bizarre Drowning Death of Massachusetts Woman Is A Reminder that Lifeguards Alone Aren't Enough
Blog readers are likely aware of the bizarre and disturbing accidental drowning death of a Massachusetts woman earlier this year. A recent article in the Taunton Daily Gazette discussed the tragic accident involving Marie Joseph and reminded readers of the pool safety lessons we should learn from it.
In June of this year a 36-year-old woman was found dead in pool. Many He residents are surprised when adults are killed in swimming pool accidents, but these types of accidents strike with surprising frequency. Adults drown in pools on an all too regular basis. What makes this particular case unique, however, are the circumstances surrounding the discovery of her body. Ms. Joseph was not noticed until two days after her death, when her body floated to the surface of the pool. This pool was not a small, private pool in a backyard. It was a pool run by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and attended to by lifeguards. Despite all the lifeguards and other swimmers, the body went unobserved for two days in an area of the pool 12 feet deep. The murkiness of the water limited visibility to four feet which caused the body was not detected.
The pool in question has been closed since the body was discovered. It was scheduled to be closed for the rest of the season. Since the accident the local district attorney’s office has been investigating the woman’s death. A final report is expected to be released in September. Preliminarily, it appears that the death was an accident without intentional foul-play involved.
Intentionally or not, Jesse Guerra, our Texas swimming pool accident attorney believes that this death is a reminder that in order for lifeguards to be effective, they must pay attention and be able to see to the bottom of the pool. Otherwise, they simply give swimmers a false sense of security. If a lifeguard cannot see the bottom of the pool, the pool should close temporarily, until full visibility is restored. The need to see the entire pool is why many public pools close during moderate rain storms. When anything, including rain or cloudy water, prevents guards from seeing the bottom of the pool, they cannot do their job.
Similarly, lifeguards cannot do their job when they work long shifts without adequate breaks. Lifeguarding requires full attention and fatigued lifeguards cannot properly scan the pool looking potential problems properly.
If you or a loved one is injured in a swimming pool accident it is important to contact an attorney who specializes in pool accidents. No one wants to be involved in a lawsuit after an accident, but speaking to a lawyer will help you preserve your rights. The negligence of the pool owners may entitle you to recover money to help pay for the costly medical bills that result from such events. A lawsuit has the added advantage of warning other pool owners to take adequate precautions, which hopefully will allow other swimmers avoid experiencing the same tragic events.
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