Swimming is a fun summertime activity, and let’s face it, if you live in Florida you’re probably hitting the pool year-round! But the weather forecast isn’t the only thing that might cause problems for Florida pool owners. Swimming and swimming-related accidents are the second leading cause of death for children under 14 years of age.
From drowning to accidents, like slip and falls and equipment malfunction, the pool can be a dangerous place. Swimming pools are so dangerous that thousands of small children are taken to the hospital each year to receive medical care after pool-related tragedy. Sadly, of those thousands, hundreds of children hospitalized in the coming year for swimming pool accidents resulting in personal injury will lose their lives in a wrongful death scenario. It may feel like, for those who have suffered or lost loved ones in a swimming pool accident, as though there is nothing you can do. Still a case review from a swimming pool accident lawyer can help you receive compensation for expenses paid, like medical bills or funeral costs. This review comes at no cost to you, since we offer free consultations.
Here’s everything you need to know about swimming pool accidents, including how to avoid swimming pool accidents and when to call a swimming pool accident attorney. If you feel like you may have an injury claim, we can tell you how to contact our legal team, trained in Florida law, to assist you with your potential claim.
This is important information for parents or homeowners with a swimming pool in the United States, and especially in areas like South Florida, Central Florida and other areas where pools are popular due to inviting climate conditions.
Tips To Avoid Drowning Accidents And Swimming Pool Injuries
Swimming pool owners, like all property owners, are responsible for accidents that occur on their premises. If a hot tub is left uncovered at a residence, public pool or hotel, it presents a danger to toddlers or any other children who might reasonably be expected in the area. Property owners are responsible for providing reasonable and effective barriers to property features that can be considered and attractive nuisance.
But even with barriers, homeowners need to take reasonable measures to reduce instances of swimming pool accidents that occur in the water or on the pool deck. Here’s how to avoid drowning accidents, drowning deaths and swimming pool injuries as a homeowner:
- Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
- Avoid swimming alone.
- Teach children to swim as early as possible.
- Use sufficient barriers to limit access to swimming pools.
- Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving techniques.
- If a child is missing, check the pool first – seconds count in preventing death or disability.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
- Remove toys from the pool area when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children to the pool.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also established guidelines for homeowners to avoid drowning and injury. Check out what the CDC has to say here.
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Public Pool Considerations
It’s not only homeowners who must be concerned about serious injuries that result from swimming pool accidents on their property, business owners also have a duty of care to ensure pools on their property are safe for customers.
Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and other Florida tourism-heavy cities, offer travelers a mix of luxurious accommodation options and fun in the sun activities, many that include pools. Hotels, bed and breakfasts, motels, public pools, water parks and even some fancy office buildings, anywhere you find a pool, can be the scene of a horrible, life-changing accident. Accident victims have rights when they slip and fall on a public pool deck or have a near drowning experience. The business owner may be accountable for a share of the medical expenses associated with the accident.
To avoid liability, business owners can do these things to avoid accidents as public pool areas:
- Invest in self closing mechanisms that remove the prospect of human error.
- Ensure lifeguards, trained in swimming and emergency life saving techniques, have a full view of the pool any time it is being used. Cameras are good too, but in near-drowning instances, there’s no substitute for a real person who can jump in and save the day.
- Ensure you employ the right management personnel who are responsible for staying up to date on swimming pool technology to implement the best safety features as they evolve.
Do I Have A Personal Injury Case From A Swimming Pool Accident?
If you’re wondering if you have a swimming pool injury claim you should answer these questions:
- Were you involved in an accident, drowning or near-drowning occur at a private or public swimming pool?
- Did the incident result in personal injury?
- Did the incident result in wrongful death?
- Was the incident at a public or private pool that you were visiting as a guest?
Examples of personal injury common in these cases might help you answer some above questions. Some examples of personal injury from a swimming pool accident include:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
If you answered yes to the above questions, and you or a loved one has sustained one of the injuries listed, or if a loved one experienced a drowning death, you may have an injury claim that requires a personal injury attorney. Be sure to record important details like the date of the accident as soon as possible. All details will be necessary to facilitate your personal injury case.
The Florida Statute known as the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act informed Florida residents that drowning deaths are the top cause of death for children in the state known for coastal beaches and swimming pools. Armed with that knowledge, and the residential compliance standards outlined in the act for homeowners, it’s essential that every property owner who has a pool on the property be responsible for the safety of the people in and around it, whether a home in residential New Tampa or a hotel in the heart of Orlando.
The five most common causes of swimming pool accidents in Florida:
- Lack of supervision: Insufficient or inadequate supervision is a leading cause of swimming pool accidents. It’s crucial to have a responsible adult present who can actively monitor and supervise individuals, especially children, while they are swimming or playing in or around the pool.
- Slip and fall incidents: Slip and fall accidents can occur near the pool area due to wet surfaces, improperly maintained decking, or the presence of hazardous objects. Pool owners must ensure proper safety measures are in place, such as slip-resistant flooring and clear pathways.
- Drowning or near-drowning incidents: Drowning is a serious concern in swimming pool accidents, particularly for young children. Lack of barriers, such as pool fences or gates, can allow unsupervised access to the pool, increasing the risk of drowning or near-drowning incidents.
- Defective pool equipment: Malfunctioning or defective pool equipment, such as drain covers, filtration systems, or diving boards, can pose significant risks. Pool owners should regularly inspect and maintain all equipment to ensure proper functioning and minimize potential accidents.
- Lack of proper signage and warnings: Clear and visible signage indicating pool depth, rules, and any potential hazards is essential for promoting pool safety. Inadequate warnings or signage can increase the likelihood of accidents or injuries, as individuals may not be aware of potential risks or safety guidelines.
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When To Call A Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer
If you’ve experienced a personal injury or the wrongful death of a loved one from a swimming pool accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we want to talk to you.
At Florin|Roebig we understand the hardships you and your family may be going through after you or a loved one are involved in a serious swimming pool accident. If you or your loved one has been seriously injured from a swimming pool accident, you may file a premises liability claim or lawsuit for damages against the pool owner.
Yearly, since the inception of this honor in 2010, Florin|Roebig has been selected as one of the “Best Law Firms in America” by “US News and World Report” and “Best Lawyers in America”. The Editorial Board of The National Law Journal named Florin|Roebig as one of only 50 plaintiffs civil trial firms nationwide to its 2015 “Elite Trial Lawyers” list.
Florin|Roebig is compromised of highly skilled attorneys who understand how to take care of your case. If you want a personal injury lawyer that knows Florida law and how to manage swimming pool accident cases where injuries like; broken bones, brain damage or wrongful death have resulted contact Florin Roebig today for a free case evaluation.
