Common Swimming Pool Accidents and What You Can do

 Posted on July 06, 2023 in Personal Injury

With summer now in full swing, more people are looking to swimming pools and water parks as a way to cool off and enjoy the hot weather. Swimming can be excellent fun for children and adults, and also a great workout for those seeking more exercise. However, there is danger associated with swimming pools. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye when there is water involved. Sadly, children are very commonly injured in and around swimming pools. Of course, adults can suffer injuries around a swimming pool as well. Pools that are well-maintained, well-enclosed so that children cannot wander in, and guarded by a lifeguard are less likely to cause injury to those around the pool. If you or your child has been injured at a pool other than your own private pool, you may be entitled to compensation. An attorney can help you determine whether you may have a premises liability claim. 

Types of Swimming Pool Injuries 

There are a few very common types of swimming pool injuries personal injury lawyers often see. Common types of swimming pool injuries include: 

• Diving and jumping accidents - Some safety mistakes by pool owners, especially in public pools, can increase the likelihood of an injury caused by jumping or diving in to water that is too shallow. For example, putting a diving board in water that is not deep enough or mislabeling the depth of a pool can cause this. Head, neck, and spinal cord injuries are common and can lead to paralysis or a traumatic brain injury. 

• Drowning or near-drowning - Even capable swimmers can begin drowning very quickly in a pool for a number of reasons. Excessively cold water can send a person who jumps in into shock, causing them to lose the ability to stay afloat. Drowning or near-drowning can lead to brain damage or death. 

• Accidental access by a child - Swimming pools are considered an “attractive nuisance.” That means they draw children to them, but are not safe. When a pool owner or operator fails to adequately secure the perimeter around their pool, a child can slip in unnoticed and drown or become injured. 

• Infections - When a pool is not kept adequately disinfected through the use of agents like chlorine, even very small cuts can become dangerously infected, particularly at public pools where a large number of people swim. 

If you or your child was injured while visiting a swimming pool, you may be legally entitled to recover compensation that can cover the cost of medical care, pain and suffering, and more. 

Contact an Orland Park Premises Liability Attorney

The experienced Orland Park premises liability lawyers at Schwartz Injury Law will strive to ensure that you recover the funds you need after a swimming pool injury that another party is liable for. To begin with a complimentary consultation, please contact us at 708-888-2160. 

Source: https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/swimming-facilities.html