Paul Sniffen, a 6-year-old boy, died in a swimming pool accident during a daycare outing. According to a Bay City News report, the drowning occurred the afternoon of July 26, 2010 at 3979 Mabel Avenue in Castro Valley. Lifeguards tried resuscitating Paul, but were unsuccessful. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators say Paul was at the pool for the day under the care of a daycare program and that his parents were not there at the time. Paul apparently went from the shallow end to the deep end of the swimming pool. It is now known who allowed the boy to go to the deep end or if he went there on his own. Alameda County Sheriff's investigators are interviewing several people who witnessed the incident. Anyone who has information is asked to call authorities at 510-667-3921.
I offer my deepest condolences to Paul Sniffen's family members for their devastating and untimely loss. They will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
Swimming Pool Accident Statistics
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an estimated 350 children under 5 years of age drown each year in swimming pools, many in residential pools. The Commission estimates that another 2,600 children under age 5 are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year following submersion incidents. Some of these submersions or near-drowning incidents result in severe brain injuries and permanent brain damage.
Liability Issues
In this particular case, it is not clear why Paul was not supervised in the pool. There are several unanswered questions here. How did Paul get from the shallow to deep end of the pool? Who was watching him? How many children were there in the pool at the time? Were there any lifeguards watching the children?
If this tragic accident occurred as a result of the daycare supervisors' negligence, then the daycare center that organized this trip to the swimming pool could be held liable. In this case, the aquatics center could also be held liable if the accident was caused as the result of the lifeguards not paying attention to what was happening in the pool. In such cases, victims' families would be well-advised to seek the counsel of an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer, who will analyze all aspects of the incident and make sure that the negligent parties are held liable.
What are some tips you would offer to parents who are looking for a good summer daycare program for their children? What should parents watch out for?
The BISNAR|CHASE personal injury law firm is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident or a similar incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a consultation. The best law firms will provide a free consultation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to not at fault persons named in this article. The free consultation offer extends to family members as well.
SLS Consulting