In Anne Arundel County, Parents File $20 Wrongful Death Suit After 5-Year-Old Drowns In Pool At Crofton Country Club

The parents of Connor Freed, a 5-year-old Davidsonville boy who drowned at the Crofton Country Club, are suing the club and DRD Pool Service, Inc, the Hunt Valley-based company that trains the club’s pool staff, for $20 million. The wrongful death lawsuit claims that there was not enough properly trained staff at the pool when their son drowned on June 22.

The complaint says that there was only one lifeguard at the pool that day and that this person allegedly froze when an unidentified woman pointed out that a boy was floating facedown in the water. After the boy was pulled out of the water, two different lifeguards are said to have improperly performed CPR on him. They also neglected to use the club’s defibrillator to revive him. During a 911-recorded phone call, a lifeguard can be heard telling the 911 operator that they are not allowed to use the club’s electronic device.

Freed was taken to Anne Arundel County Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The lawsuit, filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, alleges gross negligence and claims that the boy would not have died if there had been enough properly trained people at the pool that day.

A wrongful death claim allows family members to seek compensation for the loss of love, comfort, companionship, and financial support of the individual who died. Damages in a wrongful death claim include the survivor’s loss of love, society, affection, and financial support through future earnings and benefits, medical, funeral, and burial expenses of the family member who has died. A personal injury attorney can assist you with making a claim.

Approximately 3,000 people die from drowning each year. Drowning is the second major cause of injury-related deaths for children under 14 years of age.

Tips For Child Safety Near Water (provided by the National Safety Council):
– Never leave a child alone near water: on the beach, at a pool, or in the bathtub. If you must leave, take your child with you.
– Kids don’t drown only in pools. They can drown in bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and hot tubs.
– Enroll children over age three in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. Remember that lessons don’t make your child “drown-proof.”
– Always follow posted safety precautions when visiting public water areas.
– If you’re visiting a public pool, keep an eye on your kids. Lifeguards aren’t babysitters.
– Teach your children these four key swimming rules:
– Always swim with a buddy.
– Don’t dive into unknown bodies of water. Jump feet first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.
– Don’t push or jump on others.
– Be prepared for an emergency.
– Always use approved personal flotation devices (life jackets).
– Don’t underestimate the power of water. Even rivers and lakes can have undertows.

– Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy. Parents should be trained in CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Family Sues Country Club Over 5-Year-Old’s Drowning, HometownAnnapolis.com, July 21, 2006
Parents Sue Over Child’s Drowning At Country Club, Baltimoresun.com, July 21, 2006
Water Safety, NSC.org
Safety Facts, RelaxandSwim.com
Related Web Resources:
Administering CPR To A Child, Women’s HealthAETNA.com

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