Our Gainesville, Georgia drowning accident lawyers are ready to stand by local families after a tragic drowning at Lake Lanier. Property owners, businesses, and even government departments can be held financially liable for contributing to unsafe conditions on and around the lake that lead to drownings. Families who have precious loved ones taken from them should get justice and receive support from those found at fault.
Don’t wait to seek help for your family in the aftermath of a tragedy. For a free wrongful death case consultation, contact Weaver Law Injury Attorneys today.
Should My Family Contact a Lawyer After a Drowning on Lake Lanier?
If families lose a loved one to a drowning accident on Lake Lanier and they feel a property owner, a business, or a government agency was to blame, it’s a good idea to talk over their cases with a skilled lawyer.
Families will struggle to cope with such a heartbreaking loss, and at the same time, they can be asked to take on enormous financial burdens. Close relatives may have to pay for things like ambulance fees and funeral expenses. These bills come at a time when they are also without the income the victim may have contributed to support the family each month.
Those to blame for drownings should be first to help, but business owners and government agencies can afford teams of lawyers to find ways to avoid accepting responsibility. A Gainesville GA Drowning Accident Lawyer on your side can investigate the accident and those at fault, and keep the blame where it belongs. A skilled lawyer is also often able to secure much more in support for families than they could secure by handling their cases themselves.
Who Is Responsible If a Family Member Drowns in Lake Lanier?
Those who own and operate property along the lake or who run businesses associated with the lake can be held liable for unsafe conditions that lead to tragic deaths.
Under Georgia premises liability laws, all property and business owners owe visitors and customers a “duty of care.” It means that owners and operators are responsible for the safety of anyone they invite in or onto the property. They must be careful not to create unsafe areas or situations that could lead to drowning. They must also monitor for the unsafe behavior of guests that could cause someone to get hurt or killed.
Families are empowered to file wrongful death claims to seek justice and support after a tragic lake accident. A wrongful death claim is a civil claim that is separate from any criminal charges that arise in a case.
Lake Lanier is owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. They run 37 lake parks and campgrounds, 10 marinas, and Lake Lanier Islands. They also lease some lake property to local governments like the City of Gainesville and Hall County. These governmental departments can be liable for drowning accidents that could have been prevented with better planning and attention to safety.
There are many businesses, including vacation resorts and tour groups, allowed to operate on the lake that could be liable for carelessness that leads to a fatal accident.
These are just a few of the government departments and businesses that might be held responsible:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- The City of Gainesville
- Hall County
- Property Owners
- Business Owners
- Tour Group and Guide Business Owners
- Landlords and Property Management Companies
- Hotel and Resort Owners and Corporate Owners
- Waterpark Owners
Support for Families After a Tragic Drowning at Lanier Park Beach
Drowning Dangers Along Lake Lanier
Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources reports that the Gainesville GA area recorded at least 23 drownings in 2023. The same year, Lake Lanier documented at least 13 lives lost to drowning. It’s a frightening consequence of lake vacations and activities across Hall County every year.
Owners and operators can be found liable for drowning accidents for many reasons. These are just a few of the ways property owners and business owners can be found negligent:
- Reckless boaters and drunk boaters allowed to endanger swimmers.
- No warnings about dangerous waves and rough waters
- Inadequate fences and barriers to keep swimmers away from dangerous spots on the Chattahoochee River and Lake Lanier.
- Failure to place warning signs about lake dangers, such as underwater obstacles and sudden drop-offs. Failure to place “no swimming” signs in appropriate spots.
- Trip-and-Fall hazards along boardwalks, fishing piers, and marinas that can send unconscious people into the lake. A lack of railings in dangerous spots along the water.
- Drowning risks around hazardous dams and spillways.
- A lack of safe practices by float companies and boat and paddleboard rental businesses. Guide outfits that don’t properly protect customers.
- Tour boat and lake cruise businesses that might put customers at risk of drowning.
These parties can put people at risk and contribute to drownings. Unfortunately, they won’t always accept responsibility and try to help. It’s why evidence is key for families confronted with these tragedies.
A skilled Gainesville Lake Lanier Drowning Lawyer fully investigates the accident and the agency or business involved. The evidence collected is used to build a strong case that at-fault parties can wiggle their way out of.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my family have to file a wrongful death claim after a drowning on Lake Lanier?
Georgia allows families to file wrongful death claims up to two years from the date of the tragic death in a drowning. However, lawsuits filed against city, county, state, or federal agencies will have a much smaller window for filing claims. These cases can be complex, and it’s important for families to have legal representation so they don’t miss important deadlines and get less than they should in support.
What if my family doesn’t have the extra money to pay a drowning accident lawyer?
Your family doesn’t need to struggle to find money to hire a lawyer. Weaver Law Injury Attorneys doesn’t charge our clients any upfront money. First of all, we don’t get paid unless we win your case for you and your family. If we lose, you don’t owe anything. If the case is successful, you still won’t have to worry about paying our attorney’s fee. Our payment comes out of the settlement money you receive from those at fault.
What kinds of things can families earn support for after a drowning on Lake Lanier?
Families of drowning victims should receive help in paying remaining emergency response and medical bills. They should be awarded money to pay all burial costs. Families must also be able to count on help in the future, when the income the deceased may have contributed to the family each week will no longer be available. The loved ones left behind can be awarded support for the emotional toll a tragic death can take. The future love and guidance that’s been lost should earn support. The parents of children lost to a Lake Lanier drowning should receive full benefits for the loss of companionship they’ll feel the rest of their lives.
Talk to a Gainesville Drowning Accident Lawyer Now
If you’ve lost a loved one to a drowning accident on or around Lake Lanier or anywhere in Northern Georgia, contact Weaver Law Injury Attorneys today. We’ve been serving victims and their families for more than 20 years and continue to help families earn more to rebuild their lives.
We offer a free consultation to all family members. Contact us to schedule a confidential meeting. We want to answer your questions and go over the best options for the family. There’s no obligation for this free case review. We can handle the frustrating legal process to allow your family as much time to grieve in peace as possible.
