No fees unless
we collect for you.
Get a Free Consultation

Apartment Complex Liable in $26M Catastrophic Brain Injury Case

Las Vegas, NV (January 14th, 2025) – The Summer Winds apartment complex in Las Vegas is liable in a $26M catastrophic brain injury case involving a toddler who nearly drown at their unsecured swimming pool in 2023. The victim, two-year-old Jasper Richard, gained access to the pool through a broken gate that investigators say had been in disrepair for months. The gate did not feature self-closing or self-latching mechanisms, which are required by Nevada Safety Code. The apartment complex had been cited for the non-compliant gates just three months prior to Jasper’s accident. Had they addressed the safety violations and upheld their duty of care, this tragedy would not have occurred.

No child should suffer because of a property owner’s failure to uphold basic safety standards, and no family should have to endure the pain of such a life-altering incident. At George Bochanis Injury Law Offices, your family’s safety matters to us. Our personal injury lawyer is dedicated to holding negligent property owners and managers accountable, working to prevent future tragedies, and making sure you recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Jasper’s Near Drowning Resulted in an Anoxic Brain Injury

When neighbors discovered the child floating in the pool, he was unconscious. Despite rescue efforts, Jasper suffered an anoxic brain injury. ABI occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. In such an incident, brain cells begin to die after approximately four minutes of oxygen deprivation. Sometimes these injuries result in mild, short-term symptoms like vision problems, dizziness, or confusion. In Jasper’s case, however, the injuries are severe. With permanent brain damage, he will face lifelong challenges, and will continue to need constant and ongoing medical care. Requiring a feeding tube, a ventilator, and a tracheostomy to survive, Jasper’s medical bills have already exceeded $4M. 

Raising Awareness About Swimming Pool Safety: Are We Doing Enough to Keep Kids Safe?

Raising awareness about swimming pool safety is one way to help prevent accidents like Jasper’s, but it may not be enough. Under Nevada law, pool owners and operators are required to implement safeguards such as self-closing gates, adequate fencing, and clear signage. These measures are designed to prevent unauthorized access, especially by young children who are most vulnerable to drowning risks. Unfortunately, property managers and business owners frequently fail to meet these obligations, and they put lives at risk. Tragically, when swimming pool regulations are ignored, the consequences can be life-altering. 

Recent near-drowning accidents at local apartment complexes, hotels, resorts, and gym swimming pools and hot tubs reveal a pattern of preventable tragedies tied to inadequate oversight and insufficient maintenance.

According to the Southern Nevada Health District Drowning Registry:

  • There were 46 submersion incidents involving children 0 – 14 that resulted in the activation of 9-1-1 in 2023. 
  • Approximately 78% of those cases involved young children under 4 years old. 
  • 6 children ages 0 – 14 died in drowning incidents that year.

Throughout the United States, drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related deaths in children. Those four years old or younger are the most likely to drown. Non-fatal drowning incidents can result in severe, lifelong disabilities, including brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. According to recent studies, up to 35% of non-fatal drowning victims who are hospitalized suffer permanent, severe neurologic disabilities. For families, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. 

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

When swimming pool safety violations lead to accidents, families have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain, and suffering. Filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit also sends a powerful message about the importance of holding negligent apartment complex owners and managers, hotels, and resorts accountable for their actions. Lawsuits like these drive meaningful change, encouraging property owners to prioritize resident safety.

Is Your Apartment Complex Pool Safe?

If you live in an apartment complex with a pool, there are steps you can take to keep your family safe. 

Check for Compliance with Local Safety Regulations
Nevada law requires apartment complex pools to meet specific safety standards, such as self-closing and self-latching gates, adequate fencing, and clear warning signs. Familiarize yourself with these regulations and assess whether your apartment complex pool adheres to them. If anything appears out of compliance, such as a malfunctioning gate or missing fencing sections, bring it to the attention of management immediately.

Inspect the Pool Area Regularly
Pay close attention to the physical condition of the pool area. Are the gates secure and functioning correctly? Is the fencing at least four feet high, with no gaps large enough for a child to squeeze through? Are safety signs, such as “No Lifeguard on Duty” or “Children Must Be Supervised,” visible and legible? Identifying hazards early can prevent accidents before they happen.

Educate Your Children About Pool Safety
Take time to teach your children about the dangers of swimming pools. Establish clear rules, such as no running near the pool, no swimming without an adult present, and no playing with or propping open gates. Reinforce the importance of following these rules to ensure they take pool safety seriously.

Supervise Children at All Times
Supervision is one of the most effective ways to prevent accidents. Never leave children unattended near the pool, even for a moment. Drowning can happen quickly and silently, so keep a watchful eye on kids in and around the water.

Report Unsafe Conditions Promptly
If you notice hazards such as broken pool equipment, cloudy water, or missing drain covers, notify your apartment management immediately. Proper maintenance is critical for ensuring the pool remains a safe environment for all residents.

With vigilance, proper maintenance, and enforcement of safety standards across Las Vegas, together we can work to create safer environments and prevent future tragedies.


If your child was injured due to negligence at a hotel, resort, or apartment complex pool, you may be entitled to compensation. Take legal action today to protect your rights and hold negligent parties accountable. Contact George Bochanis Injury Law Offices in Las Vegas, and let’s get started with your recovery. Call 702-388-2005.

The George Bochanis Injury Law Offices was established in 1985. Before opening his office, Mr. Bochanis spent years representing major insurance companies in litigation cases and prior to that was a law clerk to a prominent local district court judge. Our offices have grown from a small one person setting to having its own well known office location on South Ninth Street in Downtown Las Vegas with 15 employees.

Years of Experience: More than 28 years
Nevada Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: Nevada State Bar Federal Court of Nevada, 3rd Circuit

Top-Rated Injury Attorneys Fighting for You

Since opening our doors in 1985, the accident lawyers at the George Bochanis Injury Law Offices have been committed to helping injury victims get full compensation after slip and fall accidents, motor vehicle crashes, workplace injuries, and other personal injuries.

We’re here to listen. Schedule your free consultation with an injury lawyer today.