Help for Victims of Pool Injuries
Anyone whose property has a pool has a large number of legal responsibilities that come with pool ownership. Anytime someone is injured on another person's property, which includes swimming pools, the property owner may be held accountable for the accident, in addition to the victim's injuries and related losses.
Both children, as well as adults, are at risk of sustaining serious or even fatal injuries anytime they are close to a swimming pool. A person doesn't have to be behaving recklessly or dangerously near a pool in order to suffer an injury. In many cases, swimming pool accidents occur when the pool is not even being used, which is why it is particularly important to supervise children carefully anytime they are near a pool, regardless of whether they will be swimming or not. In particular, a moment of negligence on an adult's part, such as leaving a gate unlocked, can lead to a child slipping and falling into a pool without supervision. All too often, these instances can result in tragedy. However, there are several important safety steps pool owners can follow in order to prevent these types of accidents from occurring.
Children should be kept away from pool pipes, drains, and other openings to avoid entrapment and drowning.
Who is Responsible for Damages & Liability in a Swimming Pool Accident?
All pool owners are legally obligated to provide visitors with conditions that are reasonably safe. Whenever a property owner fails to ensure that any visitors, particularly children, are supervised at all times when in or near a pool, they may be found negligent and therefore responsible for any injuries suffered in an accident. With the help of a skilled Omaha personal injury lawyer, victims who have been injured in a swimming pool accident due to a property owner's negligence can receive compensation for their injuries and accident-related losses. Often, this includes coverage to help pay for hospital bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Practicing Pool Safety
When children are in and around a pool, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends the following:
- A telephone should be nearby whenever the pool is being used
- Children should be kept away from pool pipes, drains, and other openings to avoid entrapment and drowning
- Children should never be left unattended in a pool
- If a child is missing, look for them in the pool before checking other areas
- Teach any child that will be utilizing the pool basic water safety tips
- Share these safety instructions with family, neighbors, and friends
Children should also be taught how to swim, and supervising adults should also know how to swim. It is important for property owners to learn how to perform CPR on both children and adults, and regularly update those skills.
People whose property contains a swimming pool should also fence in the area around the perimeter of the pool, as well as install self-closing and self-latching gates. It is also recommended that door, gate, and/or pool alarms be used in order to prevent a swimming pool accident from occurring.
Get Help form a Trusted Nebraska Pool Accident Lawyer
At Cullan & Cullan LLC, our attorneys can help you hold a negligent property owner liable if you or your child were involved in a swimming pool accident in Nebraska that resulted from negligence. To learn more about your legal options, call (402) 882-7080 to schedule a free consultation today.