Ventura Locals Petition For Increased Swimmer Protections After Naya Rivera’S Presumed Drowning

Thursday, August 19, 2021 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

Last summer, actress and singer Naya Rivera went missing under the waters of Ventura County’s Lake Piru. Five days later, her body was found. She was presumed to have drowned. Now, locals have started a petition to demand more signage and better warnings for swimmers and tourists who may be unaware of how dangerous Lake Piru can be.

Nobody expects tragedy to strike while vacationing or taking some time to enjoy nature, but accidents can happen anywhere. Add in water and the chances for disaster rise. If you are a loved one who has been impacted by an incident while swimming, contact the Ventura personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman.

Calling Out A Warning

The tragedy of Naya Rivera has really called attention to the problem of swimming at Lake Piru. She was a strong swimmer and was familiar with the area, having visited the lake for years. Rivera was the ninth person to drown in the lake since 1994.

Located in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County, Lake Piru is an engineered Reservoir. The waters are notoriously deep with strong whirlpools and powerful currents. There are spots where the bottom of the lake is filled with felled trees and debris, making for little visibility in the water.

Because of all these dangerous swimming conditions, Ventura County locals have asked for more protections and warnings for visitors to the lake. They want more physical warning signs posted at the lake and recently started a petition at Change.org that has collected more than 50,000 digital signatures.

The Change.org petition states, “Naya Rivera is not the first, nor the last to go missing at Lake Piru.”

Some Shocking Stats

Knowing where you are swimming and what you are swimming in are keys to staying safe in the water. Too many people do not take the dangers of the water seriously enough, and there are some shocking statistics to prove it, including:

• Drowning is the leading cause of death for children under 14 years of age in California
• Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children between the ages of one to four years old
• Children five years old and older are more likely to drown in open water like lakes, ponds, rivers, or the ocean
• Children four years old and younger are more likely to drown in a pool
• Children less than a year old are more likely to drown in small enclosures like a bathtub

When Should I Contact A Lawyer?

Attorney J. Jeffrey Herman and his team have the experience to offer solid legal advice concerning pool accidents and other personal injury claims. They have spent the last 30 years serving clients in Ventura County and the surrounding areas.

Herman and his team are courtroom veterans, prepared to deliver the arguments your case needs. Whatever the conditions of your case, we will put the work in to ensure a positive outcome for you.

We are ready when you need us. Contact the Ventura personal injury attorneys at The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 805-983-2344.