Learn about a little known cause of accidental drownings at boat docks.
As summer approaches, authorities are warning of a new danger to swimmers: electric shock drowning. Experts now believe that this type of accidental drowning is responsible for the majority of otherwise unexplained drowning deaths that occur around boats, docks, and marinas.
How Electric Shock Drowning Occurs
Electric devices on boat docks or boats are supposed to be grounded so that the electricity can safely find its way back to its source. Unfortunately, when there is a grounding fault, the electricity instead “leaks” into the water around the dock or boat. When a swimmer encounters a patch of fresh water that has been electrified in this way, the current will pass through their body because the human body is a better conductor than fresh water. This can cause muscular paralysis, which may result in drowning.
Tips for Preventing Electric Shock Drowning
Unfortunately, there are no visible warning signs that might let swimmers know that the water is electrified. So for swimmers, the best way to prevent electric shock drowning is to refrain from swimming near docks that have electric power supplies or near boats that may be plugged into these supplies. A distance of 100 yards is considered safe.
Boat and marina owners can help keep swimmers safe by:
- Having all electrical work at the dock done by a qualified electrician
- Testing boats periodically to make sure they do not leak electricity
- Never using household extension cords on the dock
- Keeping power supplies on the dock turned off and unplugged when not in use
- Posting no swimming signs around the dock
Liability for Electric Shock Drowning
When electric shock drowning occurs due to negligent maintenance of equipment on a boat or on a dock, the owner of the boat or marina may be held liable, just as in any other type of premises accident case. Owners may be liable for damages both in the case of a near-drowning resulting in serious brain injury as well as in the case of an accidental drowning death.
However, the difficulty in this type of case involves establishing electric shock drowning as the cause of the incident. Because electrified water is not visible to the casual observer, witnesses may not realize what has happened until long after the drowning. This leaves open the possibility that vital evidence as to the condition of the equipment may be lost if the equipment is repaired after the drowning but before evidence has been gathered.
If you have lost a loved one in a drowning accident and you have any suspicion at all that there could be a liability issue, it is essential to consult an experienced drowning accident lawyer like Fernando D. Vargas right away. For a free consultation, please call 909-982-0707 now.
