In the United States, swimming is one of the most popular leisure and fitness activities for citizens. It is an activity that people of all ages can enjoy and participate in. However, like many sports, there are numerous dangers and safety hazards associated with swimming. These dangers can arise not only in swimming pools but also in waterparks, wave pools, and any other swimming-based activities. It is common for these safety hazards to result in an attendee being seriously injured.
In these situations, having the assistance of a swimming pool accident lawyer is important. Personal injury resulting from a swimming pool accident can often be severe and can result in big medical bills. If you are in this situation and have been injured as a result of a swimming pool accident, call a personal injury lawyer today. They can help you make a compensation claim for any damages you may have suffered.
Here at The Law Place, we offer a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers who will help you by assessing your case and determining whether you can make a claim. If you decide to make a claim, we will be with you every step of the way to fight for the compensation you deserve. Our law firm has over 75 years of combined experience in multiple practice areas, including swimming pool accidents.
If you or someone you know has been involved in a swimming pool accident, contact The Law Place today at (941) 444-4444. Our lines are open 24 hours, 7 days a week, for your convenience.
Call today for your free consultation with a Venice swimming pool accident lawyer.
Which Laws Apply to Swimming Pool Accidents in Venice, Florida?
When a swimming pool accident happens in Venice, Florida, both state and federal laws are applicable. When making a personal injury claim, the following laws will be a consideration for your case:
- Gross Negligence – In situations where a swimming pool owner has completely failed in their duty of care to you, they may be guilty of gross negligence. In these situations, it must be shown that they completely failed to take the necessary safety precautions to protect you. There must be proof that they were aware of the safety hazards at their swimming pool and still didn’t make any efforts to stop an accident from happening.
- Premises liability – Under this law, a person who owns a swimming pool is completely responsible for keeping the property safe and maintaining it regularly.
- Attractive nuisance – Young children are particularly attracted to swimming pools, and, as such, many accidents can occur. This law provides that the owner of any swimming pool that is likely to attract children is required to uphold all safety measurements necessary. Installing fences or alarms is seen as adequate protective measures for children. A swimming pool owner who fails to take these measures can be found accountable for an injury to a child.
- Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act – The purpose of this law, which was brought into effect in 2007, is to improve the level of safety at swimming pools. This law requires that safety measures such as drain covers and protective fences must be installed in order to stop accidents from happening.
What Are the Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents in Venice, FL.?
Although accidents at a swimming pool can happen without anyone being at fault, in most cases, the owner of the swimming pool has failed in their duty of care to protect the attendees. Florida Statute 515.21 provides a set of duties that pool owners are required to abide by. If someone is injured as a result of an owner or guardians’ failure to abide by these rules, they can be found liable for damages incurred. There are a number of common causes of swimming pool accidents that may give rise to liability. These include:
- Pool location – When a swimming pool is located in a residential area, it is common that young children who can access the pool may suffer an injury. This is particularly the case when adequate safety measures have not been taken.
- Improper barriers – Florida law requires that a 4ft barrier or fence be placed around a swimming pool in order to prevent any accidental drownings from happening.
- Poor pool supervision – At any swimming pool, regardless of the size or depth, it is necessary that it is adequately supervised. If the lifeguard or person supervising the area does not have the requisite ability to save a life, liability can be established if an accident occurs. This is especially important when young children are in attendance.
- Poor pool maintenance – A person who owns or manages a swimming pool has a duty to ensure it is properly maintained. In some instances, a pool may be improperly maintained, resulting in damaged tiles, broken glass, and an unsafe area around the pool.
- Under the influence – In Venice, alcohol is usually forbidden at swimming pools due to the dangers of swimming under the influence. Drinking alcohol can have a major effect on your ability to swim safely. However, in some situations, including pool parties, alcohol can cause an accident.
- Unsafe pool products – If pool items such as ladders, diving boards, slides, and drains are damaged, or in any way unsafe, this can lead to an accident.
Potential Injuries Resulting From a Swimming Pool Accident
If you are involved in a swimming pool accident, you may suffer from a number of different injuries. Depending on the particular circumstances, you could suffer from a severe personal injury like a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is common for a person to get a traumatic brain injury if they are kept underwater for too much time resulting in their brain not receiving enough oxygen.
Another frequent injury resulting from a swimming pool accident is a spinal cord injury. If a person dives into shallow water or underestimates the depth of the water, they may suffer a spinal cord injury. This can also happen where a person hits a diving board or the edge of the pool. In some cases, where an injury can’t be remedied through surgery, a person may be left with life-long injuries.
Some of the other most commonly seen injuries resulting from a swimming pool accident include:
- Broken teeth and bones.
- Gashes, cuts, scratches, and bruises.
- Loss of hearing or vision as a result of an infection.
- Entrapment injuries that result from drain suction.
- Electrocution.
- Slip and fall injuries.
- Wounds from sharp items around the pool, including broken tiles, smashed glass, or metal shards.
- Wrongful death.
What Compensation Can I Claim for a Wrongful Death Caused by a Swimming Pool Accident?
In order to file a wrongful death claim, it is necessary to show that a person has died due to the wrongful behavior of another person, including a property owner, whether that behavior was intentional or unintentional. A personal injury attorney can help you file a wrongful death claim if someone you love has wrongfully died in a swimming pool accident.
Losing someone you love in an accident is tragic. We know that no matter how much money you may receive in a wrongful death claim, nothing will ever replace this person. At The Law Place, we want to help you get some sort of justice for this awful loss. We are here to fight to ensure that someone is held accountable for the loss of your loved one. Our team of injury attorneys wants to make this process less stressful for you.
In a wrongful death case, you can claim these types of compensation:
- Any medical costs that came from the injuries that caused the wrongful death.
- Lost wages or income that would have been earned by a loved one had the accident not happened, including any income you have lost due to missing work as a result of the accident.
- Any expenses relating to the funeral.
- Any pain and suffering from the loss of your loved one in the accident. This can include any psychological or emotional distress you may have suffered.
Contact The Law Place in Venice Today
If you have suffered an injury or lost a loved one as a result of a swimming pool accident, you should contact a Venice swimming pool accident lawyer for help today. Here at The Law Place, our team of injury lawyers has experience in multiple practice areas and is skilled in managing cases like yours. Our main priority is to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve and to make this whole process less stressful for you.
The most important thing when making a personal injury claim is to ensure you have the best representation from a firm that you trust completely. We offer a free consultation for you to speak with us without any obligation attached. Through this, you can decide for yourself whether we are the right firm to represent you. Additionally, we work on a contingency basis, meaning that if your case happens to be unsuccessful, this whole process won’t cost you a thing. We want to alleviate any stress you may have with this claim, and we always ensure that there are no hidden legal costs.
If you or a loved one has been in a Venice swimming pool accident, contact us at The Law Place today to schedule a free case evaluation. Once you contact us, you will speak with a Venice swimming pool accident lawyer, who will assess your claim for compensation. Our number is (941) 444-4444, and our lines remain open 24 hours 7 days a week. Don’t wait any longer to seek help with your case. Call us today for a free consultation.
