With more than 1.3 million statewide, California is second only to Florida for boasting the most swimming pools out of any U.S. state. There’s no better way to cool off on a warm Sacramento day than a dip in the pool, but it’s important for swimmers to always be cautious and aware of the dangers that pools pose to themselves and their children.
However, many swimming pool-related accidents and injuries aren’t swimmers’ fault. Instead, they’re caused by negligent maintenance and security by swimming pool owners. Premises liability law in California has strict requirements for people who own or manage swimming pools, and when they fail to uphold those requirements and people get injured, they can be held liable.
If you or your child were injured in a swimming pool accident, Berg Injury Lawyers wants to help. Our lawyers can collect evidence that proves the property owner or manager is liable for your damages and maximize your chances of getting full compensation. Contact us today for a free case review.
Types of Swimming Pool Accidents
Dangers abound in and around swimming pools. Some of the most common swimming pool-related accidents and injuries are slip-and-falls caused by:
- Wet surfaces
- Inadequate warning signs
- Faulty lighting
- Defective drainage
In addition, drowning and near-drowning accidents are also common. These are typically caused by:
- Negligent supervision, especially of children (negligent lifeguards)
- Lack of fencing around the pool
- Delayed emergency response
Other types of swimming accidents can occur, too—and often due to negligent maintenance and construction. These can include:
- Diving board-related injuries
- Drain entrapment
- Electrical issues, leading to electrocution
- Chemical balance in the pool (over-chlorination)
Pool Owner Responsibilities
Swimming pool owners have a big responsibility for protecting not only themselves, their families, and their guests, but also keeping people (especially children) out of their pools and pool areas. When they fail to do so, and people get injured, they can be held fully liable for any injuries and damages their guests or visitors suffer.
Some of the safety requirements that pool owners are required to install and maintain include:
- Proper fencing
- Proper lighting
- Warning signs
- Safety and emergency protocols in place
- Safety and emergency equipment on hand
- Regular pool inspections
- Regular maintenance of equipment
- Maintaining chemical balance
Unfortunately, many swimming pool visitors and guests are unaware when these safety requirements are lacking until it’s too late and they’ve already suffered serious injuries.
Swimming Pool Injuries Can Be Severe
Whether they happen in the water or just near it, people who are injured in swimming pool-related accidents often suffer serious, painful, and disabling injuries. Common injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Brain damage from near-drowning
- Head trauma or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Electrical injuries
Many swimming pool-related injuries have long-term complications, such as:
- Permanent disability
- Cognitive impairment
- Physical therapy needs
- Emotional trauma
Compensation for Swimming Pool Injuries
People who suffer swimming pool injuries often face long roads to recovery. Along the way, they often rack up huge medical bills—all while being too injured to work. The combination of these factors can result in serious financial distress for victims.
Thankfully, swimming pool injury victims are often eligible for many types of compensation from at-fault property owners and their insurers, including:
Economic damages
- Medical expenses, present and future
- Rehabilitation and therapies
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Long-term care costs
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
Berg Injury Lawyers Can Help
It’s common for swimming pool owners to deny responsibility or even blame swimmers for their own injuries after accidents and injuries occur. They and their insurers often hope that injured swimmers will simply give up because they’re too overwhelmed by the recovery process to fight back.
However, with an experienced legal team on your side, you can focus on getting better while we handle the legal process. With Berg Injury Lawyers on your side, you’ll have an experienced and winning team handling the following aspects for you:
- Investigation and evidence collection
- Witness interviews
- Expert consultation
- Code compliance review
- Liability determination
- Damage calculation
- Insurance negotiations
We believe that no one should have to pay out of pocket for an injury that wasn’t their fault, and that’s why we’ll do everything in our power to get you maximum compensation.
Call Us After a Swimming Pool Accident
You have enough to deal with after a swimming pool accident. Whether you were injured or your child was hurt in or around a swimming pool, you need to focus on recovery and getting peace of mind—not dealing with an uncooperative property owner and insurance company.
Berg Injury Lawyers has the experience and dedication you need during this difficult time. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how our Sacramento premises liability lawyers can help.
