Drowning Accidents Attorneys

We have successfully represented clients in numerous cases involving drowning injuries and deaths and our cases have spanned a wide range of circumstances, including boating, swimming, or victims falling into a body of water. The claims we have prosecuted have also involved various locations, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and swimming pools.

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SMB’s trial lawyers have unrivaled experience representing those who have been catastrophically injured or tragically killed in drowning incidents.

Boat captains, swimming pool owners, and any business involving water attractions must take steps to protect customers and guests from the horrific dangers of drowning. When they don’t, SMB holds them accountable.

Andrew R. Duffy

Unmatched Results

SMB has secured multimillion-dollar settlements for victims of drowning incidents.

  • On July 7, 2010, tragedy struck when the amphibious—and now infamous—Duck Boat 34 sank after it was struck by a barge in the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden, New Jersey, with 35 passengers on board. Two of those passengers drowned to death. SMB worked tenaciously to represent these victims and ultimately achieved a $17 million settlement.  Our lawsuit and the significant settlement ultimately resulted in driving these “Death Trap Duck Boats” out of Philadelphia permanently.
  • SMB is currently representing clients affected by the Branson, Missouri Duck Boat catastrophe involving a Duck Boat that sank on July 19, 2018, with 29 passengers and two crew members on board.  Sixteen passengers and one crew member drowned in the tragedy.

Unmatched Knowledge & Experience

Lawsuits arising from drowning incidents require an understanding of the complex and often unique issues they present, including vessel design, boating operation standards, regulatory requirements from overlapping jurisdictions, and defects in warning and safety systems.

From analyzing evidence to selecting the most qualified safety and medical experts, SMB has mastered the difficult task of establishing a relationship between the negligent conduct of the multiple defendants and the drowning injuries that have occurred. We have the experience needed to investigate and identify what caused the drowning incident and hold those who were responsible accountable for their actions. SMB brings a wealth of knowledge to areas such as sailing and navigation best practices, regulatory and industry safety requirements, lifeguard training and supervision standards, and local, state, and federal laws for supervision and perimeter guarding of swimming areas.

Unmatched Compensation

SMB has an impressive track record of securing full and just compensation for our clients affected by drowning incidents. We cast a wide net for potential defendants in drowning cases, including landowners, property managers, equipment manufacturers and distributors, and municipalities, to ensure that we are litigating causes of action against all of those responsible for the injuries and deaths that arose from the tragic events.

SMB works relentlessly to help the victims of drowning incidents receive all of the compensation they deserve, including damages for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, medical costs, lost income, and future earnings.

If you have been injured—or a family member has been injured or killed—as a result of a drowning incident, SMB can help.

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Contact us TODAY. Timing is critical for your case.