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Miami Beach Police and Fire Rescue rushed to the Tradewinds Apartment Hotel at 2365 Pine Tree Drive Miami Beach, FL, around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday after reports of a child drowning. First responders found the girl unconscious in the pool, performed life-saving measures, and transported her to Mount Sinai Medical Center for treatment, according to 7 News Miami.
Bystander Robert Becker described finding the child in distress. “She was blue, her lips were blue, she was really cold. She only had a t-shirt on,” he said. Becker administered CPR after seeing the girl’s mother pull her from the water. “Her parents were screaming, running down the steps... I called 911.”
Kayla, a hotel guest, told 7News she heard screams shortly after noticing a man near the pool. “My husband heard a man and a woman screaming,” she said, speculating the child slipped outside unnoticed. “Maybe one of them got out and went swimming. That’s what I’m assuming.”
Police blocked the pool with crime scene tape. Witnesses confirmed crews revived the girl on-site. “They stabilized her and are keeping her under surveillance,” a man at the scene said. Authorities have not released updates on her condition.
“She was a pretty little girl. It was just sad,” added another witness. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about pool safety, particularly involving young children. The hotel’s pool area remained closed during the investigation.
Following a near-drowning incident at a Miami Beach hotel pool, families face urgent questions about safety failures and legal recourse. In this interview, an experienced attorney specializing in injury cases outlines steps victims can take to secure accountability, navigate Florida’s liability laws, and pursue compensation for medical costs and emotional trauma. Learn how legal action can address lapses in supervision, maintenance, or safety protocols at public pools.
Editor Darla Medina: This incident at the Tradewinds Apartment Hotel highlights serious safety concerns. What legal protections exist for victims of hotel pool accidents?
Attorney Michael Haggard: Florida law holds property owners to strict safety standards. Hotels must maintain secure pool areas, including proper barriers, signage, and emergency protocols. When they fail, they can be held liable for negligence under premises liability laws.
Medina: What constitutes negligence in these cases?
Haggard: Negligence hinges on four elements: duty of care, breach, causation, and damages. For example, if a hotel ignores broken pool gates or lacks safety measures required by Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act, that’s a breach. Proving the hotel’s failure directly caused harm-like a child accessing an unsecured pool-is critical.
Medina: How can families pursue accountability?
Haggard: Immediate steps include documenting the scene, gathering witness accounts, and preserving evidence such as security footage. Florida allows four years to file a lawsuit, but acting fast strengthens claims. Compensation can cover medical bills, trauma, and ongoing care.
Medina: What challenges might victims face?
Haggard: Hotels often argue contributory negligence, like parental oversight. However, Florida’s comparative fault rule still permits recovery if the property’s negligence is proven. For instance, a missing pool fence or broken latch shifts liability to the hotel.
Medina: Final advice for families in similar situations?
Haggard: Consult an attorney immediately. These cases require expertise in premises liability and Florida’s safety statutes. Evidence vanishes quickly-photographs, maintenance records, and expert testimony are vital to proving negligence.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by a hotel pool accident, time is critical. Document the scene, gather witness statements, and consult a qualified attorney immediately to ensure evidence is preserved and your rights are protected. Florida’s laws allow you to hold negligent parties accountable for lapses in safety, inadequate supervision, or faulty maintenance. Taking swift action not only strengthens your case but also helps prevent similar tragedies. You have the power to demand justice-and secure the compensation your family deserves. Don’t wait; reach out to a legal professional today.
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