Our Gainesville Georgia drowning accident lawyers stand by families after a tragic drowning at Lanier Park Beach. Government departments can be held financially liable for contributing to unsafe conditions on and around Lake Lanier 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 government agency was to blame, it’s a good idea for them to talk over their cases with a Lake Lanier Drowning 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. Meanwhile, government agencies operating facilities on Lake Lanier can deny blame and make it difficult for victimized families to get help.
These are just a few of the ways a wrongful death lawyer can assist families after a tragedy:
- Investigating the accident and collecting evidence to prove that a government agency’s negligence contributed to the drowning.
- Taking legal action if an at-fault party tries to deny blame or tries to blame a drowning victim for what happened.
- Demanding help for families to pay for funeral and burial costs.
- Demanding help to replace the income a loved one may have provided to support the family each month.
- Negotiating to secure families the most in support possible, often much more than family members could secure by handling cases themselves.
- Handling the frustrating and complex legal process to secure wrongful death support from government departments while providing as little disruption to the grieving family as possible.
Who Is Responsible If My Loved One Drowns at Lanier Park Beach?
The US Army Corps of Engineers built Lake Lanier and still operates dozens of campgrounds, services, and facilities along the shoreline. The federal agency is in charge of Lanier Park in Buford, Georgia, but plenty of people from Gainesville and across Georgia travel to Lanier Beach, which features white sand and beautiful blue-green waters.
The Corps oversees the operation of Lanier Beach, the picnic area, and the nearby campground. It accepts reservations and money for camping spots, but the government must also accept responsibility for the safety of visitors, especially all swimmers.
Under Georgia’s wrongful death laws, families can file claims against the federal government if its actions lead to unsafe conditions and someone drowns as a result. Some beaches may even have “Swim at Your Own Risk” signs posted. However, the Corps of Engineers can still be found liable for mistakes they make that put swimmers at extra risk.
Lanier Park Beach Drowning Dangers
The federal government operates many sites on Lake Lanier, but some sites have been turned over to the City of Gainesville, or Hall County and Gwinnett County government officials. These entities can be liable for an accident at any Lake Lanier site. Some businesses that operate along the lake might also be liable for injuries and drownings.
These are just a few of the types of negligence that can leave local and federal government departments liable for drownings:
- Reckless boaters and drunk boaters allowed to pass too closely to swimmers
- No warnings about dangerous waves and rough waters
- Inadequate fences and barriers to keep swimmers away from dangerous spots
- A lack of lifeguards
- 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 near the beach
- Trip-and-Fall hazards along boardwalks, fishing piers, and marinas that can send unconscious people into the lake
- Drowning risks around hazardous dams and spillways.
Unfortunately, government agencies enjoy protections from legal action that make it harder for families to seek justice after a terrible accident. They’ll also have government lawyers ready to try to shift the blame for the accident.
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 sets the statute of limitations for families to file wrongful death claims up to two years from the date of the drowning. However, lawsuits filed against city, county, state, or federal agencies will have a much smaller window for filing claims. The window to file may only be a few months. Missing this deadline can mean families lose all chance to seek justice against the Army Corps of Engineers.
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 Wrongful Death 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.
Can families receive support for the emotional toll a tragic drowning can cause?
Yes. Families can seek support for the love and guidance that a loved one would have provided in the future. The special life events that a loved one can no longer attend and participate in, such as graduations, weddings, and births, should also factor into the size of a settlement check. Parents would seek support for the loss of companionship in the years ahead after losing a child in a heartbreaking drowning accident.
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 Georgia 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.
