For many, the summer is one of the best times of the year as it means better weather, more time spent with friends, and the ability to soak up the sun. Also, many people take advantage of their swimming pool during the heat, as it’s a fun way to cool off. However, there are many dangers that you can encounter when swimming, so understanding the risks is vital. Unfortunately, you may do everything possible to stay safe, but if another person’s negligence leads to your injury, you may not know how to proceed. Luckily this blog and a Broward County personal injury attorney can help you learn what you must know.
What Are the Most Common Swimming Pool Accidents?
Unfortunately, there are several swimming pool accidents that can occur when spending time in the water. The most common are drownings and near-drownings. Though this can happen in any body of water, you may find that the risk increases when in a swimming pool due to the number of additional hazards. For example, the ladders and filters in the pool increase the risk of a swimmer’s bathing suit or hair getting caught. As a result, they may be unable to surface. This can lead to drowning or near-drowning, which occurs when someone survives after prolonged submersion underwater. Similarly, if a pool is not properly secured, wandering children may fall in or believe they can swim. As a result, they can unfortunately drown.
Another common accident many experience while swimming is caused by electrical accidents. All pools use filter systems, while some have lighting and a heating mechanism. If improperly wired, electricity can leak into the pool. Should this occur, it can cause electric shock drowning since the swimmer’s muscles will tense and become paralyzed. As a result, they will be unable to swim, causing them to drown.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
When another person’s negligence leads to an injury, you may not know who can be held responsible. However, in most instances, the property owner will be held liable for the damages. If they do not take the necessary measures to protect their guests from dangers by ensuring they properly maintain the pool and provide supervision to those swimming.
This is true for homeowners, as well as municipal pools, private pools, and those on hotel property. If someone suffers injury because there is no proper supervision or because the owner failed to ensure the pool was safe for swimmers, they can face liability for the damages.
If you or a loved one were injured in a pool accident, ensuring you can hold the negligent party responsible for damages is vital. At the Finizio Law Group, we understand that near-drownings can cause considerable physical and mental traumas. As such, we will do everything possible to help you during this challenging time. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.
