The Dangers of Swimming Pools

/by

Liability for a Pool-Related Accident

The summer in Massachusetts is hot. Not only are temperatures high but humidity levels are also elevated in Massachusetts and when the sun’s out, the thing that may feel best is a dip in the pool.

In fact, chances are you’ve already been to the pool a time or two this summer, especially if you’re a parent with young children. While the pool can be a great way to beat the heat, pools are also dangerous. Here’s a review of some of the dangers of swimming pools and what to do if you or your child is injured in a pool this summer–

The Dangers of Swimming Pools

There are myriad dangers of swimming pools, the most obvious being the risk of drowning. Indeed, any body of water can pose a risk of drowning; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there is an average of 10 unintentional drowning deaths reported per day and that one in five people who die from drowning are children under the age of 15. Amongst very young children, the majority of drowning deaths occur in home swimming pools.

Drowning is obviously a fatal accident type but nearly-drowning can have catastrophic consequences, too, including long-term brain damage.

In addition to the risk of drowning, other common accidents around swimming pools that both children and adults can be a victim of include:

  • Slip and falls;
  • Injuries to extremities when jumping in the pool;
  • Traumatic brain injuries (typically from diving head-first into a pool);
  • Exposure to viruses like cryptosporidium, giardia, norovirus, and e. Coli;
  • Diving board accidents; and
  • Electrocution injuries.

Who’s Liable for a Pool-Related Injury or Death?

A fun day at the pool can quickly be ruined by a serious accident that leaves you or a loved one seriously or fatally injured. If a pool injury occurs, filing a personal injury claim for compensation for economic and noneconomic losses may be an option. Personal injury claims are possible when the accident and harm would not have occurred but for the negligence of another party.

Depending upon the specifics of your case, you may be able to prove that the defendant should be held liable for harm based on their negligence in:

  • Failing to secure the pool to prevent children from entering unattended;
  • Failing to keep the area surrounding the pool in a safe condition (i.e. remedy hazards that could cause a slip and fall);
  • Failing to properly disinfect the pool, leading to infections; or
  • Failing to provide on-site supervision of children in the form of a lifeguard.

Claims may be brought forth against a private party, such as a residential homeowner, or a government entity, such as the municipality responsible for managing a city pool.

How Our Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Pool accidents can be tragic and leave individuals with dozens of questions about what happens next. At the offices of Deborah Gold-Alexander Attorney at Law, our Massachusetts personal injury lawyer has over 30 years’ experience representing clients like you. To schedule a free case review with Attorney Deborah Gold-Alexander today to learn more about your options, please call our firm directly or tell us more about your case using the contact form on our website.

Check out this infographic on the top swimming pool hazards.