Swimming Pool Accident

Swimming pools are popular throughout Georgia, especially in the summer. However, a poorly designed or maintained pool can be a serious safety hazard that may cause permanent injuries or wrongful death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately ten people die from accidental drowning in the U.S. each day, mostly in swimming pools. Of these, children between the ages of one and four have the highest rates of drowning and swimming pool injuries. When tragic pool accidents occur, pool owners, designers and installation companies can be held liable for the resulting injuries and other damages.

Swimming Pool Accident Attorney For Premises Liability Claims

Premises liability claims for swimming pool injuries and accidents are complex because the law is often vague. Property owners must take steps to ensure visitors and guests are safe, but these measures may be different for any given situation. However, an experienced swimming pool accident attorney from the McArthur Law Firm can investigate your claim and fight for your right to compensation. No matter if your injuries occurred at a public pool or private residence, we can help find the liable parties and work to hold them accountable for negligence.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF SWIMMING POOL INJURIES?

According to premises liability law, property owners must take reasonable action to minimize hazards for visitors and guests. When owners and other parties neglect safety standards and precautions, serious injuries or wrongful death may result. Some of the most common causes of swimming pool injuries include:

  • Inadequate fencing. All pool owners must install fencing or other barriers to prevent accidental drowning and other injuries. These measures are especially important to prevent child injuries, as a swimming pool is an attractive nuisance. According to the attractive nuisance doctrine in Georgia law, pool owners are usually liable for child injuries even if the child was trespassing at the time of the accident.
  • Lack of supervision. Generally, public swimming pools must have lifeguards on duty, and other pools must have warning signs if there is no lifeguard. Without proper supervision, swimmers are more likely to sustain serious injuries. This is especially a risk for children, who should be supervised at all times when in or near a pool.
  • Defective pool drains or pumps. Lack of drain covers and other defects can cause serious injuries, especially if a swimmer’s hair or bathing suit becomes entangled.
  • Unsafe equipment. Diving boards, ladders, lights and other equipment must be in good repair to prevent accidents.
  • Lack of warning signs. Pools must have depth markers as well as signs warning of potential risks. For example, shallow pools must have “no diving” signs.
  • Contaminated water. Most pools contain chlorine to prevent infection and sickness. Lack of this chemical can cause serious illness and even wrongful death. Additionally, cloudy pool water can increase the risk of drowning due to decreased visibility.
  • Defective construction or design. The area around a pool is usually slippery, but the materials used should reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents as much as possible.

WHAT INJURIES MAY RESULT FROM A SWIMMING POOL ACCIDENT?

Swimming pool negligence can create any number of hazards for visitors and guests, which may result in many different types of injuries. Common swimming pool injuries include:

  • Broken bones. A slip and fall accident near the pool’s edge can cause broken bones and soft tissue injuries. If the victim also falls into the water, these injuries may be more serious.
  • Severe lacerations. Pool drain entanglement and other accidents can cause serious laceration injuries. These may cause irreversible damage to the nerves and muscles, resulting in lifelong impairment.
  • Spinal cord injury. Slipping and falling onto the hard surface surrounding a pool can result in spinal cord damage and potentially permanent paralysis.
  • Traumatic brain injury. A brain injury may result from a fall if the victim’s head connects with a surface. However, near-drowning can also cause permanent brain injury due to lack of oxygen.
  • Wrongful death. The risk of drowning exists for almost all swimming pool accidents. The CDC estimates that over 3,500 pool accidents result in drowning each year.

POOL INJURIES? CONTACT A SWIMMING POOL ACCIDENT ATTORNEY NOW

If you or a loved one sustain injuries in a pool accident, then you may be entitled to compensation through a premises liability claim. An attorney from the McArthur Law Firm can assist you in filing this kind of lawsuit, and can aggressively defend your rights.

More Premises Liability Resources

If you’d like to learn more about the types of premises liability cases the McArthur Law Firm handles, read our helpful articles below. We describe a wide range of premises liability cases we have worked on.