Swimming pools provide a fun environment for people of all ages to relax, exercise, and cool off in North Myrtle Beach. But accidents can happen in and around swimming pools, and the consequences of a swimming pool accident can be devastating.
If you suffered injuries in a swimming pool accident in North Myrtle Beach, our experienced injury attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Jebaily Law Firm is dedicated to helping swimming pool accident victims seek justice and compensation for their injuries. Our North Myrtle Beach injury lawyers understand how difficult it can be to recover from a swimming pool accident. We’re here to take the pressure off you while you heal.
Contact us today for a free legal case review to find out how we can help.
Swimming Pool Accidents in North Myrtle Beach, SC
Swimming is a popular summer pastime in North Myrtle Beach, but swimming pool accidents are unfortunately prevalent and sometimes lead to severe injury or death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death among U.S. children between the ages of 1 and 4 and the second-leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14. Drowning also contributed to more than 8,000 emergency room visits and more than 4,000 unintentional deaths per year in a recent 10-year period.
However, people of all ages are susceptible to accidents in and around swimming pools – and not just those involving drowning.
As a popular vacation destination, North Myrtle Beach has a large number of swimming pools at hotels, vacation homes, amusement parks, and other facilities.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
Common causes of swimming pool accidents include:
- Slips and falls – Decks and other surfaces around swimming pools can become wet and slippery, increasing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.
- Diving board accidents – Improper use of diving boards can lead to injuries when swimmers fall from heights or land on hard surfaces.
- Inadequate supervision – Proper adult supervision is essential for children at swimming pools. Children are far more likely to get hurt if a lifeguard or another responsible adult is absent.
- Inadequate security – When swimming pools lack key safety features like fences, gates, or locks, unsupervised children can enter the pool area and sustain severe injuries.
- Poor pool maintenance – If a property owner or manager fails to inspect or maintain their pool routinely, swimmers can sustain injuries due to uncleanliness, malfunctioning equipment, or exposure to hazardous substances.
- Dangerous drains – Defective swimming pool drains can create excessive suction that entraps swimmers, leading to drowning, or causes bowel and soft-tissue injuries.
- Electrical injuries – When electrical equipment is improperly grounded, insulated, or otherwise defective, pool users can suffer electrocution and related injuries. Lightning is another cause of electrocution in pools. Pool operators should get everyone out of the water when there is a risk of a thunderstorm.
Types of Injuries in Swimming Pool Accidents
Common swimming pool accident injuries in North Myrtle Beach include:
- Drowning – Drowning is one of the most common and tragic injuries associated with swimming pools and is often fatal. Even nonfatal, near-drowning cases can cause long-term damage to the brain and lungs.
- Spinal cord injuries – Spinal cord injuries can occur when someone dives into shallow water or hits their head on the bottom or side of the pool, for example.
- Chemical burns – Common pool chemicals like chlorine can cause serious injury when they come into direct contact with skin or are ingested.
- Traumatic brain injuries – Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when a swimmer hits their head on a hard surface, such as a diving board, the side of the pool, or a pool deck.
- Infections – If a swimming pool is poorly-maintained, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens, which could contribute to ear infections, skin rashes, and other diseases.
- Electrocution injuries – Electrocution can occur if an electrical defect exists in a pool’s lighting or electrical systems. Electric shocks can cause severe burns, tissue damage, and even organ failure.
- Broken bones – Falls and other accidents in and around swimming pools can cause bone fractures.
Who Is Responsible for Swimming Pool Accidents?
In many cases, the person who owns the swimming pool is responsible when someone is injured in or around it. Namely, the owner could be liable if they fail to correct or warn visitors about a known hazard that causes an injury accident to a visitor.
If a swimming pool is on private property, the homeowner is generally liable for swimming pool accidents that occur on the premises. In most cases, homeowners’ liability insurance covers swimming pool accidents that result in injuries. But it’s worth noting that most homeowners’ policies do not cover intentional injuries or injuries resulting from illegal activities.
A commercial business that owns or manages a swimming pool could be liable for an accident that occurs in its pool. Commercial liability insurance typically covers the company in these situations and pays for any injury-related costs that victims incur due to the commercial swimming pool accident.
Certain other parties could be responsible for a swimming pool accident, too. For instance, the manufacturer of a defective pool filter could be liable for a filter entrapment accident. The best way to identify all responsible parties for your swimming pool accident case is to speak with a knowledgeable lawyer.
Swimming Pool Safety Tips
Swimming pools can become dangerous when property owners and swimmers fail to take adequate safety measures. Here are some key swimming pool safety tips to keep you and your family safe:
- Supervise children closely while they’re in or around the pool.
- Teach children how to swim and encourage them to use safety equipment like life jackets.
- Swim only in designated areas and obey all posted pool rules.
- Never dive into the pool’s shallow end. Shallow diving accidents often cause severe head, neck, and spine injuries.
How Our Lawyers Help People After Swimming Pool Accidents
At Jebaily Law Firm, we know how devastating swimming pool accidents can be. Our team of experienced injury attorneys understands the complexities of swimming pool accident cases and can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
When you come to us for help, we’ll take action by gathering evidence of negligence, filing insurance claim paperwork, negotiating with the insurance company, and fighting to maximize your settlement. We will even take your case to court if that becomes the best option for maximizing your compensation.
Talk to a Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer in North Myrtle Beach Now
You could be entitled to compensation if you got hurt in a swimming pool accident that was someone else’s fault in North Myrtle Beach. At Jebaily Law Firm, our experienced swimming pool accident attorneys can help you understand your rights and pursue the best results possible.
Contact us today for a free consultation with our North Myrtle Beach pool accident lawyers.