While public and private swimming pools offer people a way to cool off, have fun, and enjoy the company of others, they can also pose serious risks to people’s health and safety.
When pools are improperly maintained, users face the consequences of the owner’s negligence. From drownings to broken bones and even catastrophic injuries like paralysis, swimming pool accidents can cause serious, life-altering injuries, and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates an annual average of 3,536 unintentional drownings in the United States.
All too often, accidents are the result of negligence on the part of pool owners. At Jebaily Law Firm, we want to help you recover the losses you suffered after a serious pool accident due to someone else’s wrongdoing. You have legal rights and may be entitled to compensation.
Negligent pool owners and their insurance companies don’t want you to pursue a legal action that could cost them money. Let the experienced premises liability attorneys at Jebaily Law Firm help you hold them legally responsible for their actions.
A swimming pool injury lawsuit could result in financial compensation to cover your medical expenses, the work you missed, your pain and suffering, and other related losses. Negligence has already cost you your health, don’t let it cost you financially as well. Contact our office for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Injuries
Swimming pools can provide hours of fun, but they can also be danger zones when improperly maintained. Many pool owners think of their backyard space as an escape, but they are also a lot of work.
Pools require regular maintenance and upkeep to make sure that they are in good working order. Owners and operators of public pools not only have a duty to keep them properly maintained, but they also have a duty to ensure that there are proper supervision and security available.
Neglecting any one of these duties can turn into a recipe for disaster. Individuals can be injured as a result of pool owners’ negligence.
These are some of the more common causes of swimming pool accidents:
- Lack of fencing, barriers, or secure access
Private pools without fences or barriers risk allowing children to wander into the pool area without supervision. It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that those who should not have access to their pool stay out and stay safe. - Incorrect or improper signage
All public pools must make individuals aware of the dangers associated with the pool. Signs must announce whether there is a lifeguard on duty, warn patrons about the dangers of running near the pool, and disclose whether it is safe to dive in certain areas of the pool. There must be accurate pool depth signage and emergency contact information. All rules and regulations must be clearly presented and in a highly visible area. - Improperly trained staff
Public pools that employ lifeguards and other staff must ensure that these individuals have the proper training to fulfill their duties. Negligent hiring practices, including improper background checks or screening, could lead to injuries and even death. If a lifeguard is hired without knowing CPR, that could cost a swimmer their life. - Lack of staff supervision
Staff members at public pools only have two eyes to watch the many swimmers in the water. A public pool without the proper staff-to-swimmer ratio could cause lifeguards to miss the telltale signs of drowning and other injuries. - Unsafe drains
All pool and hot tub drains must meet certain safety guidelines in order to prevent accidents and injuries. The suction of pool drains is extremely powerful and can hold swimmers underwater if they get too close. Negligent drain maintenance or installation can lead to drowning and serious, suction-related injuries. - Poor pool maintenance
Poor pool maintenance can cause a variety of injuries. Adding too much chlorine to the water can cause burns. Improperly maintaining the deck of the pool, such as keeping it free from debris, repairing cracks, and securing wooden planks, can lead to tripping accidents and injuries.
Types of Injuries from Swimming Pool Accidents
When people think of the dangers associated with swimming pools, drownings immediately come to mind. The World Health Organization lists drowning as the second leading cause of unintentional death for children aged 1 to 14 in the United States.
While the dangers of drowning are a top concern for pool users, there are numerous other types of injuries that can result from unsafe conditions or negligence at South Carolina swimming pools.
These are some of the common incidents and the injuries that can result from them:
- Drowning
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that approximately 10 people die every day in the United States from unintentional drownings. Those who survive a near-drowning incident may face medical complications for the rest of their lives. Drowning deprives the brain of oxygen, which can result in brain damage, memory problems, and learning disabilities. In severe cases, near-drowning may also cause a permanent loss of some bodily functions.
- Head, Neck, or Spinal Cord Injuries
Unsafe pool conditions or a lack of proper safety signs may mean that individuals are at risk for head, neck, or spinal cord injuries from falling or diving into shallow water. These types of injuries can result in brain damage and paralysis. - Electrocution
It’s not a pool party without music. However, stereos, hanging lights, and other electrical equipment operating too close to a pool can pose an electrocution risk. Electrocution can cause cardiac arrest, muscle, nerve, and tissue damage, and death. - Chemical Burns
Chlorine is the main chemical used to keep pools sparkling, clean, and safe. If stored improperly or left unmarked, chlorine can cause serious injuries to someone who is unfamiliar with the agent. Chlorine can cause chemicals burns to the skin and will harm the lungs if inhaled. - Slip and Fall Injuries
Slip and fall injuries around pools can cause a number of different serious injuries, from cuts and bruises to broken bones, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
Who Is Liable for Swimming Pool Related Accidents?
Whether the pool is publicly or privately owned, the pool owners and operators have a responsibility to ensure that everyone on their property is safe in and around the water. If you are injured as a consequence of lax or negligent property management, the owner may be held liable for their irresponsible pool care.
Legal actions that demand compensation for swimming pool injuries in South Carolina fall under the umbrella of premises liability. Premises liability is a legal concept that allows a property owner to be held responsible for injuries that occur on their property if the accident was due to their negligence.
Property owners have a legal duty and obligation to make sure that all guests, customers, employees, and visitors are safe. If a property owner is found negligent in their duty to keep these individuals safe from harm, they could be held liable for any injuries that result from an accident. At Jebaily Law Firm, our swimming pool accident attorneys are ready to prove that the person or business responsible for your injury is liable and therefore owes you full, fair compensation.
In South Carolina, premises liability claims have a statute of limitations of three years from the date of the accident. That means the clock is ticking when it comes to filing a claim. You need to take immediate action and talk to an experienced attorney. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to secure critical evidence for your case before it is lost or destroyed. If time runs out, you may lose the ability to win a full, fair settlement from the at-fault party.
Compensation for Swimming Pool Accidents
Every swimming pool accident is different. There are always a variety of factors that create the circumstances that lead to accidents and, ultimately, injuries. These factors impact the compensation negligent parties may owe after a swimming pool accident in South Carolina.
In general, if you’ve been seriously injured in a swimming pool accident you may be entitled to recover the following:
- Past medical expenses related to the injury
- Future medical expenses you can expect related to your injury
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Pain and suffering
An experienced attorney with the Jebaily Law Firm can review the facts surrounding your case and help you navigate the claim process. Once we evaluate the circumstances of your injury, we can give you an idea of what compensation you may be owed. At Jebaily Law Firm, we pride ourselves on providing the individual attention that you deserve. Client care is always top of mind.
Injured in a Swimming Pool Accident in South Carolina? Get Legal Help
If you have suffered a serious injury due to a swimming pool accident, contact the Jebaily Law Firm. You have rights and may be entitled to compensation. Our swimming pool accident lawyer can investigate the circumstances of your accident and help you navigate the complicated personal injury claim process. We work hard to build strong cases for all our clients and hold negligent property owners responsible for their actions.
The South Carolina personal injury attorneys with Jebaily Law Firm are available for a free initial consultation. Contact our office today for more information about your legal rights after a swimming pool accident.
