Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

Swimming pool accidents are common in California, especially among children. Injuries sustained around the pool can be minor or severe, depending on the circumstances involved. From 2015 to 2017, 186 kids drowned in swimming pool accidents in California. If the accident was due to negligence, the parents have a compensation claim.

At the California Law Firm, our top-rated swimming pool accident lawyers offer you a free consultation regarding your accident. We'll unpack your claim and tell you if you have a personal injury or wrongful death case.

Fatal swimming pool accidents can kill children and adults. Contact our firm if you recently lost a loved one to a pool accident. We'll hold the responsible party to account and get you the compensation you deserve for your claim.

What Are the Types of Swimming Pool Accidents?

A swimming pool accident can lead to near-drowning accidents and drowning cases. In most cases, the injuries occur due to the pool owner's negligence in maintaining or safeguarding the pool against accidents.

A lack of lifeguards on duty or adult supervision around the pool in public pool facilities can result in dangerous accidents. Regardless of your swimming skills, you could become a victim of an accident around the pool.

The following are some of the most common causes of swimming pool accidents.

Lack of Proper Fencing around the Pool

Many pools lack the proper fencing around the area. When there is no fencing or net around the pool, there is a chance that small children may play around the pool and slip in the water, leading to a drowning event if no one is watching.

Slippery Pool Surfaces

Slip and fall accidents are a common occurrence around private and public pools. People fall on slippery surfaces around the pool, resulting in a fall that could cause a severe head or spinal injury.

Inadequate Access to Safety Rescue Equipment

Most hotel pool or residential swimming pool owners don't understand the importance of having the proper rescue and CPR equipment on hand if there's an accident around the pool.

Failing to have the required safety equipment around in the event of an accident may result in deaths, leaving the pool owner liable for the victim's medical bills and other economic and non-economic damages arising from the accident.

Burns from Pool Chemicals

Swimming pools require maintenance with chemicals like chlorine and acids to keep them blue and prevent water-borne pathogens from infecting swimmers. However, these caustic chemicals can cause severe skin irritation, sore eyes, and other physical damage to the swimmer.

The pool owner or manager must inform guests or visitors that the pool is out of service until the chemicals dissipate into the water. Failing to notify the public or visitors about the chemical contamination in the pool may result in the swimmer or their family filing a lawsuit against the owner or manager for negligence.

Lack of Properly Trained Life-Guards

While most pools have lifeguards watching children, the lifeguard is on standby to rescue anyone in trouble around or in the pool.
Management is responsible for hiring competent staff, and the lifeguard must have first-aid skills. However, many don't have any lifeguard experience, presenting a risk to swimmers.

Poorly Maintained Drainage Network

Large public pools have drains that suck water through the filter and pump system, cleaning it before returning it to the pool. However, some drains may have strong suction. The drain could trap a small child underwater, causing a drowning event.

Lack of Warning Signs and Rule boards

All pools must feature proper design, construction, and maintenance. In such cases, people become careless and forget to follow basic rules. With a lack of warning signs indicating danger, accidents are regular occurrences.

  • Broken bones and sprained or torn muscles or ligaments.
    These injuries occur on slippery surfaces or uneven tiles poolside.
  • Spinal injury or concussions.
    These swimming pool accidents occur when the victim hits their head while falling.
  • Severe and traumatic brain injuries
    TBI can have lasting results and require extensive, life-long treatment.
  • Irritation of skin from pool chemicals in the water.
    Contact with caustic chemicals like chlorine and acids may cause allergic reactions and skin burns.
  • Trapped by drainage system suction.
    Most of these cases lead to drowning events.

In conclusion, most of these accidents are easy to avoid if swimmers and pool owners are more careful about the pool's design, management, and proper maintenance. You have a compensation claim if you feel the pool management or owner is negligent, resulting in injury or wrongful death.

Appoint our swimming pool accident attorneys for a free case evaluation. We'll consult with you for free and unpack your claim. Hire our lawyers and get the compensation you deserve.

What Does the Law State Regarding Swimming Pool Owners?

Fortunately, California's Law allows you to seek compensation from pool owners in a case where the reason for the accident was their fault. Our law firm is here to assist you with the relevant laws, do's, and don'ts that come with the aftermath of swimming pool accidents.

Here at our firm, we aim to enlighten you with all the alternatives and knowledge of rights you should have when dealing with such a situation.

Liabilities Involved in the Swimming Pool Accident

The laws and policies regarding swimming pool accidents are fair and reasonable. The law states that the pool owner or manager must inform them of the risks of swimming in the pool before they get in the water.

Public pool authorities must ensure they have the appropriate safety equipment on hand and safety or danger signs clearly visible to swimmers.

For example, someone might experience an accident due to the negligence of another visitor at a pool on private property. In this case, the injured party has the right to hire a personal injury lawyer to sue the owner for a swimming pool injury claim or a wrongful death claim.

We assist victims of swimming pool accidents with recovering compensation for their injuries and other economic and non-economic costs arising from the accident. We also assist pool owners and managers with representation. We can advise you on your legal standing if a swimmer is attempting to take advantage of the situation after being notified of all apparent dangers around the pool.

What Is Product Liability?

Suppose someone faces a drowning or near-drowning accident at a pool facility. In that case, a defective product may be responsible for creating the circumstances leading to swimmers' accidents or wrongful death. In these cases, the victim's family can file a lawsuit against the pool owner, manager/company/resort.

Product liability refers to defective responsible for causing the accident, and you have a claim against the manufacturer. For example, accidental drowning caused by diving boards, sump pumps, slides, or a defective drainage cover presents a product liability claim under the "strict product liability" case.

Contact a swimming pool accident attorney at our firm, and we'll unpack the merits of your case. We offer you a free consultation and a complete understanding of your legal position in the wake of the accident.

Can Other Parties Be at Fault?

Absolutely. A product liability claim considers the possibility of a swimming pool accident being the fault of other parties. For example, pool designers, tools suppliers, and employees who manage product installation at private or public facilities can be liable under the strict product liability claim. Our swimming pool accident lawyer helps you recover and financial expenses involved with the accident.

Holding the Responsible Liable for Their Faults

We would file lawsuits against property owners or pool owners if the accident occurred due to negligence in not maintaining the pool or notifying swimmers of safety hazards. We'll send a demand letter to the liable party asking them to compensate your claim.

What Type of Compensation Will I Receive?

If the owner doesn't respond to the letter of demand, we'll follow up with a summons and take them to court. We'll represent you during the trial, building a case of negligence against the owner, manager, or company responsible for maintaining the pool.
A swimming pool accident attorney helps you retrieve compensation for medical expenses, emotional trauma, lost income, and any relevant costs relating to your injuries.

On What Basis Would You Be Able to Sue a Party?

Be it a public or private pool, the owners can be held accountable for the accident depending on certain criteria. When our pool accident lawyers file a lawsuit, you'll need evidence to verify your claim and prove the responsible parties for their negligence in providing safe swimming conditions in and around the pool.

The criteria for assuming liability are as follows.

  • The property owner failed to perform their duties, resulting in a drowning death or other injuries to the victim(s).
  • The property or pool owner could not provide life-saving equipment or lifeguards around the pool, leading to the accident.
  • A case where the accident victim is a loved one, friend, or relation and experienced the accident due to the owner or manager's negligence.
  • A case where there is evidence of a property owner's neglect leading to drowning accidents.
    The responsible party receives your demand letter and has the right to argue against your claim. If the responsible party doesn't admit to negligence, our attorneys will arrange a court date and take them to trial to seek compensation for the victim.

What Can Defendants Do to Prevent the Court Awarding Damages to the Victim?

The defendant (pool owner) will attempt to prove that the wrongful death claim presented by the personal injury attorney is invalid. The crux of their defense is to prove they were not negligent with their services or safety protocols while the accident took place.

How Can a Pool Accident Lawyer at California Law Firm Help?

After a fatal accident, victims' families may not be aware of the legal recourse available to them. As a result, some victims' families may never file a claim for damages. Suppose you're the victim of a swimming pool accident or a family member of a victim. In that case, you have a right to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages.

Reach out to our firm and arrange a free consultation to discuss your case. We offer you professional, accurate legal advice that clarifies your legal position. Our pool accident lawyers will help you claim compensation for medical bills and funeral costs.

We understand that this is a trying time of your life, especially if you lose a loved one in a swimming pool accident. Our attorneys will handle our case for you. We'll take care of notifying and negotiating with third parties and insurers. We'll take care of everything, giving you time to mourn or recover. Reach out to our firm today and speak with a knowledgeable, professional swimming pool accident lawyer.

The Do's and Don'ts of a Pool Accident Aftermath

Keep the following in mind if you experience a swimming pool accident.

  • Call 911 immediately and seek medical help.
  • Ensure you report the accident to the police.
  • DO NOT talk or admit any fault regarding the accident to anyone.
  • Call a personal injury lawyer for a free initial consultation of your case.
  • Never talk to an insurance company without a swimming pool accident attorney present. The insurer may try to get you to admit liability on the phone, derailing your case. Your attorney handles all communications with third parties to the claim.

How to Prevent Swimming Pool Accidents?

Accidents are commonplace in the hot tub at home or in a public pool. Remember the following safety tips to reduce the chance of bad accidents occurring around the pool.

  • Children that aren't strong swimmers should use flotation supports in the pool.
  • Install fencing around the pool or cover it with a net.
  • Paint around the pool with non-slip paint and add traction to wet surfaces.
  • Educate yourself and others about pool safety. Encourage others to avoid swimming if they notice any safety hazards.

Contact Us

Contact our law firm if you or any of your loved ones have recently been victims of a swimming pool accident. We'll connect you with an experienced swimming pool accident lawyer.

California Law Firm specializes in swimming pool accident claims, and we'll get you the compensation you deserve. Take action and reach out to our offices right now.