Child Hospitalized With Life-Threatening Injuries After Drowning Incident on Jacksonville’s Northside

A child was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon following a reported drowning incident on Jacksonville’s Northside, according to Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD).

JFRD officials said crews responded to a drowning call around 3:00 p.m. at a residence located at 5532 Wandering Trail. The patient was described as a “pediatric patient” and was transported for emergency medical treatment. No additional details about the child’s age, condition, or the circumstances leading up to the incident have been released at this time.

The incident remains under investigation.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death and catastrophic injury among children in Florida. Even when a child survives, oxygen deprivation can result in permanent brain damage, long-term disability, or lifelong medical needs.

Common factors in residential drowning incidents include:

• Lack of adequate pool barriers or fencing
• Unsecured gates or doors leading to pools or water features
• Inadequate supervision
• Absence of pool alarms or safety covers
• Failure to comply with Florida pool safety requirements

Drowning can occur silently and within minutes, making preventative safety measures critical—especially in residential settings.

Legal Responsibilities Under Florida Law

Florida law imposes strict safety requirements on property owners, landlords, and others responsible for maintaining pools and water features—particularly when children are present.

Under Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Florida Statute §515.29), certain safety features are required for residential pools, such as:

• Approved pool barriers or fencing
• Self-closing, self-latching gates
• Pool alarms or door alarms
• Safety covers

Failure to comply with these requirements may expose property owners or other responsible parties to civil liability if a child is injured.

If a drowning occurs due to negligent supervision, defective pool barriers, unsafe property conditions, or failure to follow safety regulations, injured children and their families may have legal options.

Legal Options After a Child Drowning Injury

When a child suffers life-threatening injuries in a drowning incident, families may be entitled to pursue a personal injury claim on the child’s behalf. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be available for:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
• Ongoing medical care, therapy, and rehabilitation
• Future medical needs and long-term care
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or cognitive impairment

Emergency response agencies focus on rescue and immediate medical care. Law enforcement investigations may determine basic facts but do not assess civil liability or protect a family’s financial interests.

An independent legal investigation can help determine whether negligence played a role by examining:

• Pool or property safety compliance
• Condition of fencing, gates, and alarms
• Supervision and access points
• Prior incidents or code violations
• Insurance coverage and responsible parties

Preserving evidence early is especially important in drowning cases, where conditions may change quickly after an incident.

Compassionate Representation for Families After Drowning Accidents

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families throughout Florida whose children have suffered serious injuries in drowning accidents.

We understand the emotional devastation these incidents cause and the uncertainty families face in the aftermath. Our firm intentionally limits its caseload so clients work directly with experienced attorneys—not case managers—and we handle complex cases involving child injury and wrongful death.

Our firm can help by:

• Conducting an independent investigation
• Identifying all potentially liable parties
• Handling communication with insurers and property owners
• Pursuing full and fair compensation under Florida law

There are no upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

📞 If your child was injured in a drowning incident in Jacksonville or anywhere in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.