As per a report issued by the CDC, an average of 3,536 non-boating related fatal unintentional drownings occurred each year between the years 2005 and 2014 in the United States. This accounts for roughly about 10 deaths a day. About 1 in every 5 persons who die from drowning are under 14 and younger. For every child who dies as a result of drowning, another 5 receive medical care in emergency departments for non-fatal drowning emergencies.
Common Types of Swimming Pool Injuries
Swimming pool accidents can come in many different forms, including broken limbs, head trauma, separated shoulders, and pool drowning. Some of the most common injuries that can occur in swimming pool accidents include the following:
- Drowning, which can result in a wrongful death claim
- Spinal cord damage – severe spinal cord injuries can result in quadriplegia and paraplegia
- Traumatic brain injuries and other forms of brain damage due to loss of oxygen
- Slip and fall accidents, which can result in fractured bones
- Fractured skull
- Lacerations to the face or body from jagged edges on the swimming pool
- Brain hemorrhage
- Back and neck injuries
- Broken noses
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Injuries
Injuries endured in swimming pool accidents are caused by the following:
- Improper safety staff and security at pool parties
- Failure to properly maintain swimming pools
- Pools, hot tubs and jacuzzis without gates
- Overcrowding of private or public swimming pools
- Failure to properly install diving boards
- Lack of safety equipment and safety warning signs
- Slippery surfaces around swimming pools, resulting in slip and fall accidents
Swimming pool owners are required by law to take reasonable measures to ensure that children are prevented from entering their swimming pools without adequate supervision and security. Reasonable measures to keep children from entering a swimming pool include erecting gates and fences around a pool combined with a locked entrance. Swimming pool owners also need to take reasonable measures to make sure that divers are warned about shallow areas. An improperly maintained swimming pool that lacks proper warnings and signage can at times be a cause of a diving accident. Other causes may include a defective diving board or other issues regarding negligent maintenance. Diving accidents can result in devastating injuries to the brain and spine, changing the injured victim’s life forever.
Getting Legal Help for Swimming Pool Injuries
Negligence involving swimming pool ownership can be extremely complex and requires experience, legal knowledge, and dedication. You should make sure that you secure suitable legal help with experience in dealing with cases that involve children suffering injuries or harm, or even wrongful death, due to swimming pool accidents and drownings. If you or someone you know is injured in a swimming pool accident as a result of the owner’s negligence, you should immediately seek the help of prolific personal injury attorneys at the RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. You can bring in relevant documents such as medical records and other pertinent items and discuss your case at this free consultation.
