The #1 Atlanta Drowning Accident Lawyer

Alan Holcomb leads our Atlanta Drowning Accident team at TorHoerman Law, bringing over a decade of experience representing families affected by aquatic accidents, unintentional drowning, and fatal water-related injuries.

Alan has advocated for clients across the country in complex drowning cases, helping families pursue justice when a loved one suffered drowning injuries due to unsafe premises, lack of supervision, or negligence by those responsible for water safety.

His extensive background as a personal injury attorney and his ability to take on powerful defendants—such as property owners, municipalities, or facility operators—make him a trusted advocate in cases where someone must be held liable for serious harm.

At TorHoerman Law, we never assign just one lawyer to a case. Each drowning accident lawsuit is handled by a dedicated legal team with experience in premises liability, water safety, and wrongful death claims.

Our collaborative approach allows us to investigate how the unintentional drowning occurred, evaluate the severity of the injuries sustained, and build a case backed by evidence, expert testimony, and thorough legal analysis.

We understand how devastating aquatic accidents can be, especially when they result in permanent harm or the tragic loss of a loved one.

Whether the incident happened at a private pool, public facility, or open water site, our experienced drowning lawyers are prepared to help you take legal action and demand accountability from the parties responsible.

Our Atlanta Drowning Accident Lawyers include:

• Eric Terry – Eric leads our single-event injury litigation, including drowning accident lawsuits. He works closely with families to understand how the incident occurred and pursue the full extent of compensation for injuries sustained.
• Steve Davis – With over 30 years of experience, Steve focuses on wrongful death cases and catastrophic personal injury claims. His courtroom experience helps families hold negligent parties liable when aquatic accidents result in tragedy.
• Ken Brennan – Ken’s research-driven legal strategy is key in identifying negligence and preparing every drowning case for successful negotiation or litigation.
• Chad Finley – Chad applies deep insight into medical and long-term care needs for clients who survive with lasting drowning injuries. His work ensures that both immediate and future damages are fully considered.
• Tyler Schneider – As managing partner, Tyler oversees strategy and client communication, keeping each case on track and each family informed throughout the legal process.

If your family has been affected by an unintentional drowning or aquatic accident in Georgia, our legal team is ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Our Founder and Experienced Personal Injury Attorney: Tor Hoerman

Tor Hoerman is the founder of TorHoerman Law.

Under his leadership, our personal injury law firm has recovered more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements for clients across the country.

Tor’s commitment to advocating for injured individuals has made him a leading figure in personal injury and mass tort litigation, holding powerful entities accountable and earning widespread recognition.

Through strategic legal representation and relentless pursuit of fair compensation, Tor Hoerman continues to fight for injury victims nationwide.

THL has grown to include offices in Edwardsville, IL; Chicago, IL; St. Louis, MO; and Atlanta (Marietta), GA.

Our Drowning Accident Lawyers Get Results

In a recent case involving defective pool equipment, the drowning accident attorneys at TorHoerman Law secured a $25 million jury verdict.

Jake Plattenberger, Alan Holcomb, and Eric Terry delivered justice in a case dealing with a tragic situation that no family should have to endure.

A defective pool design led to the tragic drowning of a 2-year-old girl—an accident that was preventable.

This win is about more than compensation—it’s about ensuring companies take responsibility for dangerous products that put lives at risk.

We are honored to fight for families when they need us most.

How Much Does a Drowning Accident Lawyer Cost to Hire?

Hiring a drowning accident lawyer from TorHoerman Law costs nothing upfront because we work on a contingency fee basis.

This means you only pay legal fees if we secure compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. Our fees come out of the recovery, so there’s no financial risk to pursuing your claim.

This structure allows grieving families to focus on healing rather than worrying about legal costs.

It also ensures that our team is fully committed to building the strongest possible case on your behalf.

In Georgia, property owners have a legal obligation to keep their premises reasonably safe, especially around hazardous areas like public pools, private pools, hotels and resorts, and retention ponds.

When they fail to take proper precautions or warn visitors of hidden dangers, they may be held liable under premises liability laws.

These laws apply to a wide range of personal injury cases, including drowning accident cases involving adults and children.

If a drowning results in severe injury or death, surviving family members may be eligible to file a lawsuit for damages through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Georgia’s wrongful death statutes allow families to recover compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering.

Personal injury claims may also account for future damages related to medical treatment, long-term care, or permanent disability.

Whether the incident occurred at a resort, neighborhood pool, or a retention pond, an experienced lawyer can assess the facts and determine whether the property owner failed to take reasonable steps to prevent drowning accidents.

The legal process for a drowning accident case in Georgia is typically as follows:

1. Seek Immediate Medical and Legal Help: After a drowning accident, get medical attention and consult an experienced lawyer to protect your rights and begin documenting the incident.
2. Investigate the Cause of the Accident: Your legal team will examine how and where the incident occurred—such as at public pools, private pools, hotels and resorts, or retention ponds—and determine what safety failures contributed to the accident.
3. Gather Evidence: This includes witness statements, safety records, inspection reports, photographs of the scene, and any prior complaints related to the premises.
4. Identify the Responsible Party: Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with the property owner, a management company, a government entity, or another third party.
5. File a Lawsuit: Once liability is established and damages are documented, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf in civil court.
6. Enter Settlement Negotiations or Discovery: Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlement, but if necessary, the case will proceed to discovery, where both sides exchange evidence and prepare for trial.
7. Trial and Verdict: If no settlement is reached, the case goes to trial. Your lawyer will present the facts and seek compensation for injuries, death, and other damages related to the drowning accident case.
8. Collect Compensation or Appeal: If you receive a favorable outcome, compensation will be collected. If the verdict is unfavorable or incomplete, your lawyer may explore appeal options.

Gathering Evidence for a Drowning Accident Claim

In a drowning accident claim, strong evidence is essential to proving that negligence led to the incident.

Investigators will look at whether safety rules were followed, whether required safety equipment was available, and if proper steps were taken to prevent access to dangerous areas.

In cases involving a boating accident or recreational activity, it’s important to determine whether victims were wearing life jackets or if one was provided.

After the incident, prompt medical attention and documentation can also help establish the severity of the injuries and support the claim.

Evidence for a Drowning Accident Claim:

• Photos or videos of the scene, including pool fencing, warning signs, or unsafe conditions
• Maintenance and inspection records for safety equipment
• Witness statements and official incident reports
• Medical records showing injuries and emergency care provided
• Evidence of failure to follow or enforce safety rules
• Past complaints or violations at the property or facility

Damages in Drowning Lawsuits

In a lawsuit, “damages” refer to the financial compensation awarded to victims or families to account for losses caused by negligence.

In aquatic accidents like unintentional drownings, these damages can include both measurable costs and the lasting emotional impact of losing a family member.

Whether the drowning case involves a fatality or a near-fatal incident, an experienced lawyer can help identify and calculate all eligible damages.

This compensation helps injury victims and their families recover from the burden of medical bills, lost income, and emotional distress.

Common Damages in Drowning Lawsuits:

• Medical costs for emergency treatment, hospitalization, or long-term care
• Future medical expenses
• Funeral and burial expenses after a fatal drowning
• Lost wages or future income of the deceased or injured individual
• Non-economic damages such as grief, trauma, and pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship or guidance from a deceased family member
• Costs of psychological therapy for surviving family members
• Punitive damages in cases involving gross negligence or misconduct

Drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional death in the United States, and many of these tragedies are preventable.

When a person drowns due to unsafe conditions, poor supervision, or ignored safety regulations, those responsible may be held liable under Illinois law.

The risk of drowning increases significantly in areas where property owners or operators fail to take reasonable precautions.

These include private swimming pools, unsupervised retention ponds, and overcrowded or poorly maintained public pools.

A swimming pool accident can result from faulty gates, missing barriers, or a lack of trained lifeguards.

In some cases, a boating accident occurs when passengers are not provided with proper life jackets or when operators act recklessly.

Whether the incident happens in a residential backyard or on open water, the failure to prevent drowning through reasonable safety measures can lead to serious legal consequences.

Common Causes and Types of Negligent Drowning Accidents:

• Lack of supervision at swimming pools, especially involving children
• Defective or missing pool barriers, fences, or self-latching gates
• Inadequate lifeguard staffing or untrained personnel at public pools
• Poor maintenance of pool equipment, drains, or water clarity
• Overcrowding at aquatic facilities, limiting visibility and response time
• Absence of warning signs or depth markers in swimming areas
• Failure to provide or enforce the use of life jackets during boating activities
• Boating under the influence or reckless operation of a watercraft
• Unsecured or unmarked retention ponds near residential or commercial areas
• Slippery or hazardous surfaces around pool decks or docks
• Malfunctioning or absent rescue equipment, such as life rings or poles
• Failure to respond promptly or appropriately when a person is in distress
• Lack of adult supervision at home pools or during swim lessons
• Unauthorized or unsupervised access to swimming facilities by children

These forms of negligence create a dangerous environment and may expose property owners, recreational operators, or caretakers to legal liability if someone is harmed or killed.

What is a Near Drowning Experience?

A near drowning experience refers to a nonfatal drowning incident where a person survives after being submerged in water but may suffer serious health complications.

Although the individual survives the initial event, the injuries sustained can be severe, especially when the brain or lungs are deprived of oxygen.

In some cases, secondary drowning occurs hours after the incident, as water left in the lungs causes inflammation and breathing problems.

A near drowning can result in serious injury, including brain damage, respiratory failure, or long-term cognitive impairment.

Prompt medical attention is critical, even if the person appears to have recovered, as symptoms can worsen over time.

To qualify for a drowning accident case, there must be evidence that another party’s negligence contributed to the incident.

This includes failing to provide supervision, maintain safe premises, or respond appropriately to a near-drowning incident.

If you or a loved one suffered serious harm—or worse, death—due to unsafe conditions around water, you may have grounds for a legal claim.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than half of all drowning victims require hospitalization or further medical care, indicating the severe impact of these accidents.

Legal claims may be filed by the injured individual or, in fatal cases, by surviving family members seeking justice and compensation.

TorHoerman Law offers a free drowning lawsuit consultation to help families determine whether they have a valid claim.

We provide compassionate, no-obligation legal services to review the details and identify potential risk factors that contributed to the incident.

A personal injury lawyer from our team can then guide you through your options and help you take the next step.

Drowning accidents leave families devastated, often with more questions than answers.

Whether the incident involved a public pool, private property, or an unsupervised body of water, negligent parties must be held accountable for the preventable harm they caused.

At TorHoerman Law, our team of experienced drowning accident lawyers is committed to helping victims and their families pursue justice through thorough investigations and aggressive legal action.

We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these tragedies take—and we’re here to help you take the next step forward.

You may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible.

Contact TorHoerman Law today for a free initial consultation.

We’ll review your case, explain your legal options, and fight to recover the compensation your family deserves.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a drowning accident lawsuit instantly.