When we think of swimming pool accidents, we tend to think of children. After all, it’s not often that a grown up would get hurt in a pool, right? While it’s true that most drowning accidents would involve children, plenty of adults in Texas are hurt in swimming pool accidents every year.
There are all sorts of ways an adult could be hurt in a swimming pool. A swimming pool accident can involve a lot more than just drowning. It could involve a slip and fall. Or, someone could get sick because the pool isn’t clean. There are even times when a ladder or diving board can break and the person falls and gets seriously injured.
It may be hard to imagine a grown up getting hurt in this way, it happens all the time. Whether it happens at a neighbor’s house or at a hotel, the same rule applies. If you can prove that the property owner was negligent, then you may be able to recover damages. Other things are involved of course. If you were partially at fault, it can impact your case. This is why it’s a good idea to call and talk to a trial lawyer in Houston. They can review your case and negotiate to get your claim paid. They’ll handle the legal side of things while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
What Kinds of Injuries Could an Adult Sustain in a Houston Swimming Pool Accident?
If you’ve ever been swimming – in an in-ground or above ground pool – you know it’s not always the safest thing. With above ground pools, there is less of a chance of getting hurt. Most adults are certainly tall enough that they can stand in the pool without the water going over their head. And, for the most part, above ground pools don’t have diving boards or slides. They’re just not deep enough for diving.
For an in-ground pool, the risk of getting hurt is much higher. For example, if there is a slide or diving board, it could break and you could fall off. Or, you may be attempting to climb out of the pool on a ladder when the ladder breaks. This could cause you to smash your head on the concrete. Or, you may suffer a back injury or knee injury while falling into the pool. In rarer cases, you may even drown. If you’re under the water long enough, you can suffer brain damage. This could even cause permanent disability.
Shouldn’t Grownups Be Responsible for Their Own Safety While Swimming?
One would think that a grownup wouldn’t go swimming unless they know how to swim. And, for the most part, this is true. It’s hard to imagine being an adult and not knowing how to swim. But some people just don’t learn how to swim when they’re a kid. Or, they’re scared of the water and don’t work up the nerve to swim until they’re much older. Either way, nobody can assume that you can swim just because you’re a certain age.
The other important thing to remember is that there are more ways of getting hurt in a poor besides drowning. You could hit your head or fall. If the area around the pool isn’t keep clear, you could trip and end up falling into the pool. You could even get an illness due to a pool not being kept clean. If any of these things happen and you suffer an injury, you may have a potential claim for damages.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in These Cases?
Most of the time, pool accidents happen at a motel, hotel or waterpark. But they can happen anywhere that there is a pool. This includes your friend or neighbor’s home. If you are hurt on someone else’s private property, you would have to file a claim against their homeowner’s insurance. If, for some reason, your claim is denied or not fully paid, you would have no choice but to file a personal injury lawsuit in Houston, Texas.
Contact an Experienced Trial Lawyer in Houston, Texas
If you or your child suffers an injury in a swimming pool accident, you should call our office. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to negotiate a payment or settlement of your insurance claim. The initial consultation is absolutely free and you don’t pay a dime until you settle your case. Call today and pick a date and time that works for you.