Action News Jax reported that a small child nearly drowned in the pool at the Red Bay Apartments located at 7528 Arlington Expy, Jacksonville, FL 32211.
On October 31, 2022, a child was found inside the Red Bay Apartments community pool. Neighbors stated that they believe the child was able to get in through a hole in the fence. They claim the pool is typically always closed and fenced off. The 4-year-old child was taken to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition.
Attorney Michael Haggard has experience representing families as an experienced swimming pool accident lawyer in the state of Florida. Michael recently discussed when families could sue an apartment complex if a loved one nearly drowns in their pool.
"Apartment owners are responsible for the safety of their tenants and guests. They have a duty to make sure that the community pool areas are safe for everyone. People can drown for a number of reasons, including a slip and fall or faulty pool barriers. The risk of swimming pool drowns should be mitigated by apartment complexes at all costs. This should include gating around the pool and cameras that detect people entering when the pool is not open."
"A drowning or near-drowning may lead to a civil lawsuit if the apartment complex neglected to prevent the drowning. Legal options can be discussed with the victim or family members by an experienced swimming pool accident attorney. To file a claim, the attorney will need to show that the incident was a result of the apartment complex's negligence. The family may even be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenditures, and lost wages."