According to CDC data, 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings and 8,000 non-fatal drownings occur every single year in the United States. We tend to hear about fatal drownings the most often, but we don’t hear much about submersion injuries that occur in those who survive drowning. One possible submersion injury that a drowning survivor can suffer from is a condition called delayed drowning, also known as secondary drowning. Warning signs of delayed drowning can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing, and fatigue, and can appear within a few hours of the initial submersion incident. While rare, this condition can be just as deadly as an active drowning event. Below, we discuss everything you need to know about delayed drowning, as well as water safety and whether or not you can sue for submersion injuries.
If you or your child has suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death from a drowning accident, you may have grounds to take legal action in Illinois. Call our Chicago drowning accident lawyers at 312-321-1111 to schedule a free consultation today.
What is Delayed Drowning?
We all know that drowning occurs when someone suffers from respiratory impairment due to being submerged in water. Drowning prevents someone from receiving enough oxygen to the brain and other vital organs; even so, it’s not always fatal.
Most people who survive drowning go on to have good health and normal lives. Occasionally, though, drowning victims can suffer a variety of injuries and delayed symptoms. This is what delayed drowning, or secondary drowning, is. It’s a complication that occurs after the initial drowning incident. It causes pulmonary edema, a fancy medical term for when water gets into the lungs. When enough water enters the lungs, the lung lining can become inflamed, and the person will struggle to get enough oxygen even if they’re no longer actively drowning in standing water. Without emergency medical care, delayed drowning can lead to death.
Delayed Drowning vs. Dry Drowning
There is another near-drowning complication known as dry drowning. Dry drowning occurs when someone inhales water during a drowning incident, which causes the airway and vocal cords to spasm. Unlike delayed or secondary drowning, water does not actually enter the person’s lungs due to the spasming of the airway. Dry drowning can rarely lead to death, especially without quick medical help, because the vocal cords don’t relax enough to let enough oxygen into the lungs.
How Common is Dry Drowning and Secondary Drowning?
Both dry drowning and secondary drowning are very rare complications. In fact, Dr. James Orlowski tells WedMD that these complications only occur in 1% to 2% of all near drowning incidents. Still, it’s crucial to monitor yourself or your child for secondary drowning symptoms after a close call.
How Many Children Drown Every Year in Illinois?
The number of children who drown annually in Illinois is relatively low but significant. Here are a few key statistics:
- 2023: 20 children died from accidental drowning
- 2024: 19 child drowning deaths reported
- 2019: 22 child drowning deaths
So, on average, around 20 children drown each year in Illinois. CDC data indicate that drowning is the top cause of death among 1-4 year olds in the United States. Drowning is the second-highest cause of death among 5-14-year-olds.
Illinois reports follow this data:
- Most victims are very young (under age 5)
- Many incidents happen in home settings, like pools or bathtubs
- Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1–4
Signs of Dry Drowning
Signs and symptoms of delayed drowning can include:
- Any kind of breathing abnormalities: trouble breathing, labored breathing, fast breathing, etc.
- Persistent coughing or choking
- Chest pain
- Extreme fatigue and sleepiness
- Bluish lips
- Irritability
If you or your child is experiencing these symptoms after a near-drowning event, seek medical attention immediately.
Dry Drowning Symptoms – Toddler
If a toddler inhales water or has a close call in water, like going underwater in the bathtub, for example, parents should look for the following signs of dry drowning:
Breathing and airway dry drowning symptoms:
- Difficulty taking full breaths
- Fast, hard, or shallow breathing
- Persistent coughing
- Hoarse voice or speaking abnormally
Behavioral changes indicating dry drowning risk:
- Unusual fussiness
- Extreme tiredness
- Lethargy or seeming “off”
Other warning signs of dry drowning in toddlers:
- Chest pain
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Bluish lips or skin (most severe)
Treatment for Delayed Drowning
Mild secondary drowning symptoms can improve with minimal medical care, but it’s still important to get checked out at the emergency room just to be safe.
Moderate to severe secondary drowning symptoms will likely require a chest X-ray, IV fluids and medications, and medical observation. This means that doctors will regularly check the child’s vital signs, such as their oxygen level. If they are still struggling to breathe, they may need help from a breathing tube.
Can You Sue for a Drowning Accident in Illinois?
Yes, you may have grounds to sue for a drowning accident and/or drowning complications if they were a direct result of negligence. A lifeguard who fails to notice and save a drowning child is a clear example of negligence. Another example of negligence could include premises liability violations at a public pool, which caused a swimmer to slip, trip, fall, and drown. Negligent parties can be held liable for all sorts of drowning accidents – fatal ones and ones that result in secondary drowning complications. Chicago premises liability attorneys are dedicated to seeking justice for these victims.
A Chicago drowning accident lawyer at Curcio & Casciato can analyze the details of your case and help you determine if you have grounds to sue and recover damages. Victims or parents of victims may have grounds to recover a variety of damages for a drowning accident, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral and burial expenses, etc.
Illinois Drowning Risks
According to the most recent studies, most drowning victims in Illinois were 5 or under and drowned in pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, and even bathtubs. In 2024, there were 101 total accidental drownings in Illinois. The most common cause of accidental drownings and dry drownings is inadequate supervision. Our Chicago summer camp drowning lawyers have helped parents across the state pursue justice for negligent supervision while their children are away at camp. Likewise, we’ve handled Chicago school injury claims related to water accidents.
How to Prevent a Child Drowning Accident
The best treatment is prevention, as they always say. To prevent drowning, dry drowning, and secondary drowning, all parents and swimmers must practice water safety.
Swim Lessons
As previously stated, children are always the most at risk for a near-drowning incident. The best way to prevent a life-or-death drowning event is to enroll kids in swimming lessons as early as possible, usually between the ages of 3 and 5. This will give them the confidence and skills to save their own lives in situations where lifeguards or adults aren’t being watchful enough.
Monitor Children in the Water at All Times
This leads us to our second method to prevent dry drowning and secondary drowning. At least one adult (preferably more) should keep a close eye on kids while they swim. Even strong swimmers can have accidents. Additionally, a near-drowning incident can occur within seconds of looking away.
Use Life Vests or Floaties
Kids who are not strong swimmers or who are very young should wear a life jacket or arm floaties at all times while swimming. Life jackets and floaties are also crucial on boats, in extremely shallow waters, and during water sports. If you’ve been injured, consult a Chicago boating accident lawyer immediately.
Pool Barriers or Gates
Call Chicago Drowning Accident Lawyers at Curcio & Casciato Today
If you or your child has suffered a fatal drowning accident or life-threatening complications from a near drowning event due to negligence, you may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit. The legal team at Curcio & Casciato has decades of combined experience in handling all sorts of wrongful death and personal injury cases, including those that involve drowning events. Call our Chicago personal injury attorneys and our Chicago wrongful death attorneys at 312-321-1111 to schedule a free consultation at our law firm today.