Swimming pools can be fun and relaxing. Unfortunately, it is possible to suffer injuries in a swimming pool if the property owner or other parties are negligent. While most swimming pool accidents are minor, some can result in severe injuries or even death. If you recently sustained an injury in a swimming pool accident, you might wonder who is responsible for the accident.
At Cameron Law, our swimming pool accident lawyer helps people who were injured in swimming pools obtain the compensation they deserve and hold negligent or careless parties accountable.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
The leading causes of swimming pool accidents include:
- Lack of safety protocols and safety equipment
- Inadequate fencing and gates
- Lack of supervision
- Slippery pool decks
- Diving or jumping into shallow water
- Defective pool equipment
- Negligent behavior by other pool users
In order to obtain compensation for your swimming pool accident injury, you need to understand what caused the accident in the first place. A skilled lawyer can investigate your accident and determine how and why it happened.
Common Types of Injuries in Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pool accidents may cause injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to catastrophic injuries. Some of the most common types of swimming pool injuries are:
- Drowning or near-drowning
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Soft tissue injuries like lacerations or sprains
No matter how minor or severe your injuries are, you might be entitled to compensation after a swimming pool accident to recover medical expenses, loss of income, and other damages.
Who Is Responsible for Swimming Pool Accident Injuries?
Swimming pool accident injuries can occur in residential and commercial swimming pools. The party liable for your injuries may vary, depending on the accident’s circumstances:
- Property owners. Property owners have a legal obligation to ensure that their pools are safe, adequately maintained, and secure. If a pool owner’s negligence caused your injuries, they might be held liable.
- Product manufacturers. In some swimming pool accidents, the fault may lie with the manufacturer of pool equipment, such as ladders or diving boards.
- Other pool users. If another pool user behaved recklessly or negligently, which caused your injuries, they might be held liable.
- Local authorities. In some cases, local authorities may be liable for your injury if they failed to ensure the pool complies with public safety codes and regulations.
Each case is unique, which is why there could be other potentially liable parties. Consider speaking with a lawyer to help you determine liability in your particular case.
The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine in Swimming Pool Accidents
The attractive nuisance doctrine is a legal principle applied to personal injury lawsuits involving minors or children injured on a property owner’s land. The doctrine makes property owners liable for injuries occurring on their land, even if the injured parties were uninvited guests or trespassers.
This can apply to swimming pool accidents, where children are attracted to the pool and sustain injuries. In such cases, the pool owner is required to ensure a level of protection, such as putting up a fence or reducing the attraction, like covering the pool. In Nevada law, the attractive nuisance doctrine can be found in NRS § 41.515.
