There are more than one million swimming pools at homes, recreation centers, schools, hotels, and other locations throughout California.
While Alameda isn’t a hotbed for swimming pools in the state due to its year-round moderate climate, many residents are avid indoor and outdoor swimmers. But before you head to the pool, it’s important to take a moment to consider the dangers that pools can pose to guests—especially children.
While some swimming pool injuries are swimmers’ fault, many are caused by negligent property security and maintenance. Swimming pool owners are required by California premises liability laws to maintain safe conditions for everyone, and when they fail to do so and injuries occur, they can be held liable through injury claims or lawsuits.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve protected injured swimmers’ rights for decades. If you or someone you love was injured at a pool, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Types of Swimming Pool Accidents and Injuries
There’s no shortage of dangers in and around swimming pools—and those dangers can lead to many different types of accidents, including:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Near-drowning or drowning
- Diving accidents
- Other incidents: electrocution, chemical exposure, pool drain entrapment
People who are hurt in these types of accidents often suffer devastating injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain damage from near-drowning
- Internal injuries
- Other injuries: electrical injuries, skin and respiratory effects from chemical exposure/over-chlorination
Factors That Lead to Swimming Pool Accidents
Everyone who uses pools must be cautious, but the people who own and manage them must be even more attentive and safety-focused. When pools are negligently maintained or secured, pool-related risks only increase in number and severity.
Common swimming pool risk factors associated with negligent property management include:
- Wet surfaces around the pool
- Inadequate warning signs
- Lack of supervision or negligent lifeguards, especially if the pool is used by children
- Lack of fencing or barriers around the pool, especially if it might attract unattended children
- Not following safety or emergency protocols
- Defective equipment: drains, pool ladders, diving boards, electrical wiring, etc.
- Lack of safety equipment: life rings, first aid kit, etc.
What to Do After a Swimming Pool Injury
The seconds, minutes, and hours after a swimming pool injury can be hectic and confusing—especially if your child was hurt. However, remembering to take a few vital steps during this time can protect your or your child’s health and rights to compensation:
- If safe and possible, get the injured person out of the pool.
- Call 911 for medical help.
- If safe and trained, administer first aid.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene.
- Get the contact information of any witnesses.
- Report the incident to the property owner.
- Contact an Alameda swimming pool accident lawyer.
Types of Damages in a Swimming Pool Accident
The expenses associated with a swimming pool accident can be enormous. In addition to upfront medical costs, victims and their families also often face long-term costs that can continue to pile up month after month and year after year.
If your family was affected by a swimming pool accident, you may be eligible to get compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
For more severe or catastrophic injuries, victims and their families can pursue compensation for:
- Lost future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapies
- Assistive devices and medical equipment
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Long-term care costs
- Permanent disability
Our Experienced Lawyers Can Help
Many swimming pool accident victims feel helpless. Property owners are rarely cooperative, and they often blame swimmers for their own injuries—especially when the victims are children. Their insurance companies are often even less helpful, as they’re concerned with protecting their profits instead of paying fair settlements to injured victims and their families.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we seek to level the playing field for our clients when they need compensation after swimming pool accidents. Here’s how we build strong claims for people like you:
- We investigate negligence and determine liability, whether on the part of:
- Property owners
- Lifeguards
- Government entities, if the accident happened at a public or school pool
- Management companies
- Maintenance contractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- We account for all of your damages in your claim.
- We negotiate with insurers and fight for your rights.
- We don’t hesitate to take our clients’ cases to trial if that’s necessary to get them full compensation.
Call Berg Injury Lawyers Today
Most people associate swimming pools with fun, relaxation, and exercise. When injuries occur, swimmers and parents are often shocked and confused. This can be an extremely difficult time, and it’s important to have a trusted legal advocate on your side.
Berg Injury Lawyers has fought for injured people’s rights throughout Northern California since 1981, and we know what it takes to win. Contact us today to learn how our Alameda premises lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve and move forward with your life.
