As things heat up and head into summer, residents throughout Corpus Christi are sure to enjoy some pool time. Whether you and your family choose to cool off at residential pool at a home you own or rent, a private or community pool, a friend’s pool, or even a local water park, it is important to remember that swimming pools pose a number of potential risks and hazards. Unfortunately, as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, these hazards caused numerous injuries and deaths each year.
If you or your loved ones plan to enjoy some time in the pool in the coming months, our legal team at Sico Hoelscher Harris LLP wants to remind you to make safety a priority, especially in the case of children, who should always be supervised. While some risks are unavoidable, many accidents and injuries can be prevented when appropriate safety measures are taken. This includes safety measures enacted by owners of pools.
As a personal injury law firm that takes on tough cases, we know the devastating consequences of preventable injuries. While our Corpus Christi personal injury lawyers are available to help victims and families protect their rights following a swimming pool accident, we still want to help local residents understand the common types of risks and injuries that can take place in or near pools, some of the most common of which include.
- Submersion and drowning – According to the CDC, there are nearly 300 drowning deaths and more than 2,700 ER visits for submersion injuries involving pools and spas each year in the U.S. In particular, young children face the greatest risks of drowning, near drowning, and submersion. These risks can be exacerbated by a lack of adequate supervision, a lack of warnings and safety equipment, or even overcrowded pools. Protect yourself and your family by never swimming alone, ensuring children are supervised, and that you know how to respond in the event of a potential emergency.
- Diving injuries – Diving accidents commonly occur when people jump head first into pools, and they can result in significant injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. If someone you love hits their head in a diving accident, or hits their head in any other way in a pool, it is critical that they seek a medical evaluation, as TBI can quickly become a serious and even life-threatening concern. Diving accident risks can be reduced with proper warnings, including signs that show the depth of a pool, and supervision.
- Slip and falls – Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere where there are wet conditions or tripping hazards. As such, pools and spas pose significant risks of swimmers slipping and falling on wet surfaces, or even tripping on pool equipment that has not been properly stored. Pool owners can reduce the risks of slip, trip, and fall accidents by keeping areas properly lit at night, warning visitors and guests about running or roughhousing, and taking other reasonable measures to prevent tripping hazards.
- Unsafe product injuries – Defectively designed and manufactured products can cause serious harm to swimmers. While some products can cause injuries themselves, others can increase risks of drowning. This is especially true of inflatable pool toys, pool cleaning equipment, and other products that may constrict a swimmer and cause entrapment or submersion. Unsafe drains or jets can also lead to injuries. Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure their products are safe for their intended use, and to adequately warn consumers about potential risks. They can be held liable when their defective products cause harm.
When swimming pool or spa injuries could and should have been prevented, victims may have the right to hold the at-fault part accountable for their damages, including their medical bills, lost wages from missing work, and pain and suffering, among others. These cases often involve premises liability, which requires property owners to take reasonable measures to reduce risks of preventable harm and keep visitors and guests safe. When they fail to uphold this legal duty, victims and their families can pursue financial compensation by taking legal action.
When you depend on full and fair compensation following an accident, it becomes critical to work with proven attorneys who understand the legal elements involved in proving your case and holding an at-fault party accountable for their negligence. If you have a potential pool injury or premises liability case you wish to discuss, our personal injury lawyers are readily available to take your call. Contact us today for a FREE consultation.