Summer Swimming Safety 3 Tips for Swimming in Open Water There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun. Never swim alone. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc.
a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly.
Know what you’re getting into. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with Watch for rip currents. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current. When an Accident Causes Death How to Hold the Responsible Accountable
No. 2: Identify and contact witnesses. Anyone who saw the accident happen will be essential to your case. Get their story, as well as their contact information, and stay in touch in case they are needed. No. 3: Gather evidence. The decedent’s clothes and vehicle are essential physical evidence in your case. Additionally, surveillance cameras can be crucial in verifying an account of what happened. No. 4: Assign a personal representative. In order to file a wrongful death lawsuit, a family needs to appoint a personal representative for the decedent. That person is usually a spouse or family member. Our office can help you assign a personal representative. However awkward or uncomfortable it is to talk about this stuff, it’s important to know your rights so that you can act in the best interest of yourself and your family. Call Coye Law Firm today at 407-901-9135 to speak with an attorney who can help navigate the legal aspects of any kind of personal injury case, including those that involve a wrongful death.
Personal injury cases involving death are called wrongful death cases. They are more complex than other types of cases and have a number of provisions that need to be followed in order to secure a just settlement. They also include the emotional toll of dealing with an unexpected loss. In Florida, you have up to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, but, in certain circumstances, it’s best to file as soon as possible. Due to the unique nature of wrongful death lawsuits, it behooves you to work with a lawyer at the earliest stage possible. There are four essential steps that you need to take in the aftermath of a possible wrongful death to set yourself up for success in court. As clinical as it may be to talk about handling the death of a loved one in strategic terms, everyone should know what’s required if the worst does happen. Here are those four steps. No. 1: Begin an investigation. Even if there is an ongoing criminal homicide investigation, it’s important to contact appropriate professionals. Criminal and civil courts are separate universes from a legal perspective, and you want to build as strong a case as possible in either or both. When we are asked to work a wrongful death case, we hire a private investigator to explore the circumstances of the death.
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