California Summer Camp Drowning Lawyer

Holding Camps Accountable for Drownings & Aquatic Injuries

If your child drowned or suffered harm in an aquatic accident at a California summer camp, The Doan Law Firm can help.

We are a national leader in drowning litigation, and one of the few firms in the country focused on representing victims and families in these complex and emotionally charged cases. Led by Jimmy Doan, a former drowning investigator, we fight to hold summer camps, operators, insurers, and negligent staff fully accountable.

We’ve won billions of dollars for clients nationwide. We know how to handle these cases — and how to win. Call (800) 349-0000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.

Why Families Choose The Doan Law Firm for Summer Camp Drowning Cases

Drowning cases involving children at summer camps are uniquely complex — requiring a deep understanding of child supervision standards, state and federal regulations for youth camps, and aquatic safety practices.

Our firm is recognized as a national leader in drowning and aquatic injury litigation. We have secured billions in compensation for clients nationwide — including recent individual recoveries of $102 million, $25 million, $5.5 million, and $4 million in drowning and aquatic injury cases.

Families turn to The Doan Law Firm because:

• Jimmy Doan, a former drowning investigator, holds 12+ aquatic safety certifications, personally trains hundreds of lifeguards each year, and is a trusted expert consulted by other law firms nationwide.
• We routinely litigate against major camp operators, national youth organizations, private camp owners, and their insurers.
• We provide personalized, one-on-one attention to families — because these cases are deeply personal.

When profit-driven operators or poorly trained staff create unsafe conditions, we fight to expose their failures — and hold them accountable.

Summer Camp Drowning Cases We Handle

We represent families across California in drowning and aquatic injury cases involving:

• Pool drownings (improperly supervised swim times, swim lessons, or free swim)
• Lake, river, or ocean drownings during camp activities or excursions
• Watercraft-related drownings (kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding)
• Aquatic-related brain injuries from near-drowning or hypoxic events
• Children left unsupervised or missing during swim periods
• Failure to properly assess campers’ swim abilities
• Inadequate lifeguard presence or improperly trained staff
• Negligent rescue or delayed emergency response
• Unsafe aquatic facility conditions

In addition to drowning and near-drowning cases, we also handle other serious aquatic-related injury cases arising from camp activities — including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and catastrophic orthopedic injuries caused by unsafe diving, watercraft collisions, or defective equipment.

How Liability Works in Summer Camp Drowning Cases

Under California law, summer camps owe children in their care the highest duty of supervision and protection. Many also operate under specific licensing requirements and regulatory standards, depending on whether they are day camps, overnight camps, or affiliated with public or private schools or organizations.

Common causes of liability in camp drowning and aquatic injury cases include:

• Failure to maintain proper staff-to-child supervision ratios
• Unqualified or insufficiently trained aquatic staff
• Failure to assess swim abilities or provide flotation devices
• Negligent selection or maintenance of swim facilities or natural water venues
• Failure to follow written safety policies or accepted standards of care
• Delayed or inadequate emergency response
• Failure to obtain appropriate parental permissions or disclosures

We work with aquatic safety experts, camp operations consultants, and forensic investigators to uncover the systemic failures that led to tragedy — and to identify every liable party.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Potentially liable parties in summer camp drowning or aquatic injury cases may include:

• Camp owners and operators
• National organizations that charter or license affiliated camps
• Third-party vendors providing aquatic programming or excursions
• Property owners (if camp leases aquatic venues)
• Staffing agencies supplying lifeguards or counselors
• Equipment manufacturers (in product-related incidents)

Determining liability requires a deep understanding of California premises liability, negligence, and youth camp regulatory law — which is why families turn to The Doan Law Firm. If you have questions about your case, we’re here to help.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have a viable summer camp drowning or aquatic injury case if:

• The drowning or injury occurred during a supervised camp activity (on or off camp premises).
• Supervision was inadequate or staff violated safety protocols.
• Lifeguards or aquatic staff were unqualified or improperly trained.
• Camp safety rules were violated or ignored.
• There was a delay or failure in providing emergency response.
• Unsafe aquatic facilities, equipment, or conditions contributed to harm.
• Your child was allowed to participate in water activities beyond their skill level without appropriate precautions.

Many families do not have all the facts right away — which is why prompt investigation by experienced legal counsel is critical.

Common Mistakes Families Make After a Summer Camp Drowning

Navigating the aftermath of a summer camp drowning is emotionally overwhelming, and families often unintentionally make mistakes that can impact their ability to pursue justice. Understanding these common legal pitfalls can help you avoid them and strengthen your case.

Delayed Investigation

One of the most critical mistakes is waiting too long to investigate the circumstances surrounding the drowning incident. Evidence such as staff testimonies, surveillance footage, and witness accounts can disappear or become less reliable over time.

Communicating Directly with Insurers or Camps

Another common misstep is speaking directly with the camp or their insurance providers before consulting a qualified attorney. These entities often aim to minimize liability and may use your statements against you.

Failing to Preserve Evidence

Many families overlook the importance of preserving key evidence, such as medical records, correspondence with the camp, and information about prior safety violations. This can weaken the ability to prove negligence in court.

Signing Settlements Too Early

Accepting a quick settlement offer might seem appealing to ease financial burdens, but these offers rarely reflect the full value of your case. Settling prematurely can forfeit your right to obtain adequate compensation for long-term damages.

Assuming Waivers Eliminate Liability

Many parents believe that signing camp waivers means they cannot pursue legal action. However, waivers do not absolve camps from responsibility for negligence or unsafe conditions.

How a California Summer Camp Drowning Lawyer Can Help

A drowning accident attorney can guide you through this challenging process, ensuring that you avoid costly mistakes and position your case for success. Here’s how a skilled attorney can help:

Prompt Investigation

A California summer camp drowning lawyer will act quickly to gather and preserve evidence, such as witness statements, safety protocols, training records, and incident reports. This timely investigation is critical for building a strong case.

Managing Communication

Your attorney will handle conversations with insurance companies, camp operators, and any third parties involved. This ensures that no damaging statements are made and protects your family’s rights.

Identifying All Liable Parties

An experienced drowning accident attorney will conduct a thorough analysis to identify every potentially responsible party, from camp staff to third-party vendors or property owners. This increases the likelihood of securing full compensation.

Evaluating Settlement Offers

Your lawyer will evaluate any settlement offers to ensure they reflect the true extent of your family’s losses, including future medical expenses, emotional damages, and long-term care needs, if applicable.

Navigating Regulations

California’s laws regarding summer camp safety and liability are complex. A skilled drowning accident lawyer is familiar with state regulations and youth camp standards, ensuring that all legal avenues are explored.

Recovering Compensation After a Summer Camp Drowning or Aquatic Injury

When a child suffers catastrophic injury or death due to negligent supervision or unsafe aquatic conditions at a summer camp, families may be entitled to substantial compensation — not to "replace" the loss, but to provide for the future and to hold the responsible parties accountable.

Compensation in these cases may include:

• Medical expenses (emergency treatment, ICU, rehabilitation, long-term care)
• Future care needs for survivors with permanent disabilities or brain injuries
• Pain and suffering experienced by the child and family
• Loss of enjoyment of life for surviving victims
• Wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship
• Punitive damages in cases involving reckless or grossly negligent conduct

Because many summer camps are affiliated with national organizations or backed by substantial insurance coverage, the financial stakes are often significant — but these defendants fight hard to limit what families can recover.

At The Doan Law Firm, we are committed to pursuing every dollar your family deserves — and to achieving justice for your child.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Summer Camp Drowning Cases in California?

The general statute of limitations for personal injury or wrongful death claims in California is:

• Two years from the date of injury or death.

However, if the camp is operated by a public entity (such as a school district or municipal program), shorter deadlines may apply — including a six-month window to file a government claim.

Because these deadlines can vary — and because early legal action preserves critical evidence — it is important to contact experienced counsel as soon as possible.

Call For a FREE Consultation: (800) 349-0000

At The Doan Law Firm, we understand the immense trust parents place in summer camps — and the devastation when that trust is betrayed. We are here to fight for your family, and to hold negligent camps, staff, and organizations fully accountable.

Call (800) 349-0000 or contact us online for a FREE and confidential consultation. We represent families across California and the U.S.