With many of us stuck at home this summer due to COVID-19, it's no surprise that we are going to turn to our home pools for enjoyment. As much fun as that is, it gives rise to swimming pool accidents. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides that at least 10 people drown to death everyday. And 1 in 5 deaths are children under 14 years old. For each child that dies due to drowning, there are 5 injured children in the emergency room.
The Common Causes of Pool Accidents
In general pool accidents occur too quickly. And that is why our brains and bodies go on survival modes when we are drowning. That is why once you have an accident, it is important to stay calm. Obviously the most common accident is drowning.
- Slip and fall: if your child is running around close to the pool, he/she are very likely to slip and fall. If they fall into the pool, they may very well drown. Why? Because they did not get into the pool voluntarily. They fell into the pool. In that situation, they will panic and that will cause them to freak out increasing their chances of drowning. If they fall outside the pool, they may incur other types of injuries.
- Electrocution: Obviously being around a swimming pool involves a lot of water. If there are wires around and close up the water, or just negligently left there, your child could die from electrocution.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: your child can get a TBI if they fall and get a concision. That does not however mean if your child falls, they will always have TBI. Sometimes no brain injury takes place altogether. Or a non traumatic injury takes place.
You or your child may sustain injuries from swimming pool anywhere. This can happen at home at your own personal swimming pool, at a hotel, or a public pool. The majority of drowning cases happen to children at home. This is because all public pools require a life guard to be present. Depending on where you or your child got injured, legal consequences follow.
Learn about Inspections and Safety
The law requires swimming pools to be safe and go through series of inspections. California has passed the Swimming Pool Safety Act to maintain recreational safety and environmental health. Swimming pool inspections are extremely important for safety. Inspection includes the insurance that pools are up to the minimum standards of cleanliness and safety. Inspections also include the provision of proper life guards who must have adequate training. Public pools must have signs indicating how deep the pool is, drowning watch signs, and any other type of necessary signs needed.
In terms of safety, there must be rules posted in the premise. Swimming pool safety rules include the number of people allowed to be inside and adult supervision of children. If your child does not know how to swim, either make sure you teach him/her or sign them up for swim lessons before letting them inside the pool.
The Various Ways Children Have Swimming Pool Accidents
Attorney for Swimming Pool Accidents in South California
If you notice the lack of such inspection and safety measures, then there is likelihood of negligence. If you or your child was injured as a result of negligence, then you have a legal right to sue the negligent liable party. Depending on your case, it can mean the premise, the manufacturing company, the inspection company or the guards. If your injuries are a result of a slip and fall, then you may proceed with the typical slip and fall case. In either way, it is imperative to consult an experienced attorney who can help you through the process that can be complex and daunting.
Contact our experienced legal team at Napolin Law Firm to discuss the details of your case today.
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