Drowning is silent. It happens fast. And for too many families in Brazoria County, it turns a normal summer day into something they never recover from. Whether it’s a child slipping into a backyard pool, a teen trapped under water at a hotel, or an adult struggling in a crowded public pool with no lifeguard around—every one of these stories is heartbreaking. But many are also preventable.
Private pool owners, apartment managers, hotels, and city parks all have one thing in common—they’re responsible for making sure their pools are safe. That means fences should be locked. Ladders should be sturdy. Lifeguards should be alert. And drains should never be left uncovered. If any of that is ignored, the risk of drowning goes up fast.
We’ve seen kids jump in without anyone realizing. We’ve seen toddlers get through broken gates. We’ve seen people slip under the surface and go unnoticed until it’s too late. Near-drowning victims may survive, but not without serious damage. Oxygen loss can cause brain injuries that change lives forever. Some people lose their ability to walk, speak, or care for themselves.
In those moments, families want answers. How did it happen? Who was supposed to be watching? Why wasn’t there a fence? Why wasn’t the gate locked? The truth is, it often comes down to negligence. Someone failed to do their job. Someone didn’t take safety seriously. And that failure cost a life—or changed one forever.
In Texas, pool owners have a legal duty to prevent access to unattended water. That’s why state law requires barriers around most pools. It’s also why many public pools must have trained staff and emergency equipment on hand. When someone ignores those laws or takes shortcuts, they may be held legally responsible.
Wrongful death claims can help families recover damages for funeral costs, emotional pain, and the loss of companionship. For near-drowning survivors, a lawsuit can cover medical treatment, rehabilitation, and future care needs. These cases also make a difference for others. They push owners and companies to fix what went wrong before another tragedy happens.
Drowning cases are emotionally heavy. No amount of money can bring someone back or restore everything that’s been lost. But holding the right people accountable does matter. It gives families a path forward. It gives children a safer future. And it honors the lives that were cut short by someone else’s carelessness.
If someone you love drowned or nearly drowned in a pool in Pearland, Alvin, Freeport, or anywhere in Brazoria County, we’re here to help. We’ll listen to your story. We’ll investigate what really happened. And we’ll fight to make sure the truth comes out.
Call Hildebrand & Wilson, LLC at (281) 557-6406 or contact us here to schedule a free consultation. You don’t have to carry this burden alone.