Drowning can occur in a very small amount of water in the right circumstances, so a pool full of water can understandably become a dangerous place to be. Even if life is not lost, serious brain injuries can occur from being under water too long without oxygen. A lawsuit was recently filed against three Dallas Cowboys players and one former player of the team, among others, for the brain injury a boy sustained while at a university football camp that they endorsed at a local North Texas university.
The incident occurred in an area where there were at least five lifeguards reported to be on duty, but the mother is confused as to why her son was even in the water because he allegedly did not know how to swim. The plaintiff’s 13-year-old son was found floating in the pool around 9:30 p.m. It was reported that the child was only underwater for a short time, but reports cannot confirm the actual amount of time he was under. The mother was allegedly never notified of any swimming activities that were to take place, nor was she asked if her son could swim at signups.
A lifeguard on the scene said that it was only a minute that the boy was under water. No matter how long the child was under the water, the damage had already been done by the time he was pulled out and given CPR. He was in a coma for several weeks that the doctors allegedly did not think he would come out of. Thankfully the child did not die, but the effects of his brain injuries will likely have a great impact on the rest of his life.
The incident is still being investigated by the Texas university and there are currently no reports or comments being given. When an accident caused by the negligence of others causes brain injury, or any other type of injury, claims for personal injuries can be filed. A successful claim can help with providing the financial compensations for needed therapies and medical treatments. Dealing with this type of situation can be overwhelming for both the victim and the family.
Source: DentonRC.com, Suit filed in child’s near drowning, Megan Gray, Sept. 26, 2013
