Swimming Pool Fall Injuries
Known for its warm weather year-round‚ it is not surprising that many families in San Diego have pools of their own or access to residential pools. Yet‚ because of negligence from property managers‚ lifeguards‚ and pool maintenance staff‚ serious accidents and injuries can occur in the blink of an eye – accidents that are completely preventable with some ordinary care.
Each year in the U.S.‚ over 1‚000 children die and 5‚000 others are hospitalized due to pool-related accidents. In fact‚ swimming-pool-related accidents are the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 14.
Swimming Pool Safety Guidelines
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has provided the following guidelines for swimming pool safety:
- Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for adult supervision.
- Never leave a child unsupervised near or around a pool. During parties at or near a pool‚ designate someone as the pool supervisor. When adults become preoccupied with other things‚ children are at risk.
- If a child is missing‚ check the pool first. Every second counts in preventing death or disability.
- Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of safety devices‚ such as door alarms and latches.
- Learn CPR.
- Keep rescue and safety equipment by the pool. Be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted.
- Remove all toys in and around the pool when not being used. Toys can draw young children to the pool.
- Never prop open the gate to a pool.
Learning pool safety is necessary to ensure the health and wellness of our children. Even if a child is uninjured in a pool accident‚ it can cause mental and emotional damage in the child.
Pool Deck Slip-and-Fall Accidents
While swimming pools are known for posing a drowning risk‚ a slip-and-fall on a slippery pool deck can result in very serious injuries. Unintentional falls are the fourth highest cause of death in the U.S.‚ many of which take place around private‚ public‚ resort‚ or hotel pools or water park facilities.
Under state law‚ property owners or managers are required to keep property reasonably safe for visitors‚ employees‚ and guests. Pool areas are well-recognized as being particularly dangerous.
When a concrete pool deck surface is worn or treated with certain hardeners‚ slip resistance is minimal. All pool deck surfaces are slippery when wet‚ particularly tile surfaces and those with surface treatments that allow water to “bead up.” Surface traction is vital for protecting visitors from the risk of a slip-and-fall accident. As the pool deck surface is solid‚ the body typically falls backwards‚ resulting in a heavy impact to the back of the head. These are very serious and dangerous accidents‚ as head impact often results in a traumatic brain injury. Pool owners who have failed to keep the area reasonably free of risk could be held accountable when a serious injury has occurred.
San Diego Swimming Pool Injury Lawyers Can Help File a Claim
If your child has been injured or killed in a swimming pool accident in San Diego‚ you need the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney immediately. A negligent pool owner who fails to post warning signs or comply with other safety regulations may be sued for wrongful death or for injuries caused on his property. Call the Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (888) 233-5020 for a free case review.
