Near Drowning Injuries in Boating Accidents
Boating accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some mild and others severe, such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and drowning. One devastating injury caused by boating accidents that many people do not fully understand is called near drowning. Victims of near drowning often need significant medical treatment and require a lifetime of additional care. If you know someone affected by near drowning in a boating accident, you need an experienced Nashville boat accident lawyer representing the case. Call the office or contact us at Mitch Grissim & Associates in Nashville today to schedule a free evaluation of the case.
What is Near Drowning?
Near drowning is an injury that occurs when a person almost dies from drowning in an accident. Near drowning can cause substantial injuries and health complications as it is the last step before fatal drowning. This injury occurs when a person is unable to breathe underwater for a significant period of time, cutting off oxygen to the brain and other parts of the body. There are many causes of near drowning, including the following:
- Inability to swim
- Panicking in the water
- Alcohol consumption on a boat
- Concussion, seizure, or heart attack
- Getting thrown from a moving vessel
- Striking an object in the water
Near drowning can happen in deep or shallow water, and it can happen to injury victims of all ages. If you suspect that someone has suffered from near drowning you should seek immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms and Complications of Near Drowning
Near drowning victims may be unconscious or present with specific symptoms after a boating accident. Symptoms of near drowning include cold or bluish skin, abdominal swelling, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, confusion, loss of consciousness, fast or slow heartbeat, weak pulse, and vomiting. You should call 9-1-1 immediately after someone has suffered a near drowning injury, and CPR may be required before healthcare professionals arrive. If the boating accident occurred in cold water, you may need to remove the victim’s clothing and wrap them in blankets to avoid hypothermia.
While near drowning injuries can be fatal, in many cases a near drowning accident can cause serious and permanent health complications. Some of the most common complications of near drowning include pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, brain damage, chemical and fluid imbalances, and permanent vegetative state. Victims of near drowning complications often require substantial medical treatment and a lifetime of additional care. As such, it is critical that boating accident victims get the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Compensation for Near Drowning Injuries
Compensation for near drowning injuries can include economic and noneconomic costs caused by the boating accident. Economic damages involve all medical expenses, present and future, lost wages, and loss of future income and benefits. Noneconomic damages compensate for disability, disfigurement, the loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Talk to Our Office
If you know someone that has been injured be near drowning in a boating accident, call or contact Mitch Grissim & Associates today to schedule a free consultation.
Resource:
healthline.com/health/near-drowning#outlook
