Bradon Lamoureux, 23, was enjoying summer weather, swimming with friends in the Lake-of Bays area. Like many people do, he decided to dive into the water. What he did not realize at the time was that the water he was diving into was less then a meter deep. Bradon hit his chin, tragically severing his spinal chord and damaging his vertebrae.
Bradon’s story is one of an alarming number of catastrophic diving accidents which have occurred in Ontario this past summer. This summer alone, St. Michael’s Hospital has treated seven young people in their 20s and 30s, with spinal cord injuries caused by diving. These injuries have left formerly, healthy people quadriplegics and changed their lives drastically. While this may not seem alarming at first glance, it becomes clear how serious it is when you consider that in the past nine years, the hospital has averaged one catastrophic diving accident per year.
At Neinstein & Associates we handle a large volume of cases involving clients who have suffered from catastrophic injuries. As a result, we are familiar with its meaning and its importance in properly handling a claim.
It is important to know that the majority of diving injuries are preventable. Parents should take the time to educate their children of the risks involved in diving and swimming. Water safety is the key. The majority of the victims of diving accidents are young people and too often alcohol is involved. What this means is that a blatant disregard for water safety is involved. Many of these catastrophic accidents are easily preventable through proper education and supervision.
While it is nice to enjoy the warm summer months, we must keep in mind that there are risks involved and take the necessary precautions to prevent against them. The tragic events of this past summer should serve as a warning that there are risks that come with seasonal pleasure. With the winter around the corner, we encourage everyone to be safe in their activities, whether it be skiing or snowmobiling.
