Did Lifeguard Negligence Lead to Fatal Drowning Accident?

Jul 12,2016

A Riverside boy who was injured in a drowning accident on June 3rd passed away at Naval Medical Center San Diego on Thursday. Alex Pierce, a 13-year-old middle schooler, was at a pool party held at Vista Murrieta High School when he somehow ended up at the bottom of the pool. Surveillance footage indicates Pierce was underwater for about 90 seconds before he was pulled to the surface by two students.

According to a statement by the boy’s father, Rodriguez Pierce, the teen lifeguards at the party ignored students’ cries for help when they initially discovered their classmate underwater. And even after Pierce was rescued from the pool, no one performed CPR on him until the paramedics arrived four minutes later.

Pierce was first taken to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, but was transferred to Naval Medical Center San Diego after doctors recommended he be removed from life support. After more than a month of tests and attempts to resuscitate him, Pierce was declared brain dead and taken off life support. Police are continuing to investigate the drowning accident for possible criminal negligence. The Pierce family has a GoFundMe page set up to help cover medical costs.

“Our hearts go out to the Pierce family as they mourn the loss of their precious child. We hope police are able to glean some understanding from the investigation as to how this could have happened,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.