California is home to over 1.3 million swimming pools, ranking second only to Florida for the most of any American state. With most parts of the state enjoying warm temperatures year-round, Californians are never far from a dip in the pool—or suffering a serious injury in or near one.
According to the California Water Safety Coalition, 12,588 California residents drowned between 1991 and 2020. And for every fatal drowning, there are three non-fatal drowning events. In addition to these tragic events, there are countless additional swimming pool-related injuries each year in our state.
Premises liability laws are supposed to ensure that swimmers stay safe at and around pools in California, but that doesn’t always happen. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we work hard to hold negligent property owners liable when their guests and visitors get injured while swimming. If you or your child were hurt at a pool, contact us today for a free consultation.
Common Types of Swimming Pool Accidents in California
There are many dangers lurking near and underneath the surface of swimming pools. While swimmers must be cautious to reduce their risks, property owners must be even more cautious to ensure their pools are safe.
Some of the most common pool-related accident types include:
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Near-drowning or drowning
- Diving accidents
- Electrocution
- Chemical exposure
- Pool drain entrapment
Common Types of Swimming Pool Injuries in California
With so many ways for swimmers to be involved in serious accidents in and near pools, there are also a large number of injuries they can suffer, too. These include:
- Brain damage from lack of oxygen or near-drowning
- Head trauma or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Electrical injuries
- Injuries from chemical exposure/over-chlorination
- Pool drain entrapment injuries (hair and scalp injuries, organ damage, brain damage from near-drowning)
What to Do After a Swimming Pool Injury in California
Knowing what steps to take after a swimming pool accident isn’t easy. It’s a confusing and hectic time for many victims and their families, especially when injuries are severe. However, knowing what steps to take and following them as closely as you can will make a huge difference in your health and your right to pursue compensation.
Take as many of these steps as possible after a swimming pool-related accident or injury:
- 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 a lawyer.
Signs a Swimming Pool May Be Dangerous
Many people didn’t realize the pool they were at was dangerous until it was too late, and they’d already suffered an injury. But if you know the tell-tale signs of a poorly secured or maintained swimming pool, you may be able to prevent an injury to yourself, your children, or others.
Common signs include:
- Wet surfaces around the pool
- Inadequate warning signs
- Inadequate lighting in dim conditions
- Lack of supervision or inattentive lifeguards, especially if the pool is used by children
- Lack of fencing or barriers around the pool, especially if it might attract unattended children
- Lack of safety equipment: life rings, first aid kit, pool hooks, etc.
- Defective equipment: drains, pool ladders, diving boards, electrical wiring, etc.
Liability for a Swimming Pool Accident in California
Pools exist on all types of properties throughout California, from private homes and high schools to public parks and training facilities. Determining who’s liable for a swimming pool accident requires first determining what factor caused the accident and who was responsible for the pool itself.
Depending on the factor that caused the accident, different legal principles could be applicable:
- Premises liability (e.g., slippery pool area)
- Negligent supervision (e.g., lifeguard not watching children)
- Negligent hiring (e.g., unqualified lifeguards)
- Product liability (e.g., defective pool drain)
Potentially liable parties include:
- Property owners
- Management companies
- Maintenance contractors
- Equipment manufacturers
- Lifeguards
- Government entities, if a public or school pool
Because of the complexity of the legal process and determining liability, it’s important to ensure you have an experienced lawyer on your side from day one.
Getting Compensation After a Swimming Pool Accident in California
If you or your child were injured at a California swimming pool, you may be eligible for compensation for several different types of damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care
How Our Team Can Help
The aftermath of a swimming pool accident can be overwhelming. Our lawyers are here to take the stress of the accident off your shoulders while you focus on getting better. Here’s how we can help you throughout every step of the process:
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses
- Investigating negligence and whether safety standards were met by consulting with experts
- Calculating all your damages
- Negotiating with insurers and fighting for maximum compensation
Contact Berg Injury Lawyers Today
Ready to get started? Our team of premises liability lawyers have decades of experience helping injured victims throughout California, and we know what it takes to win. Contact us today for a free consultation.
