Is a Homeowner Liable for Injuries Sustained by a Minor Child While Swimming in their Pool in Houston?

Now that it’s summertime, people are starting to spend their days lounging in the pool. Maybe you’re lucky enough to have your own pool, you don’t have to go far to take a dip. Or perhaps you have a neighbor who has an in-ground or above ground pool. If you’re nice, they may invite you and your kids over to go swimming. There’s no better way to spend a lazy afternoon. However, sometimes, a swimming invitation can turn into a disaster.

If you have young children, they may or may not know how to swim. Even good swimmers can get into dangerous situations. They may venture into the deep end and panic. Or they don’t wear their life vest or arm floats. If there isn’t an adult nearby to make sure the kids are okay, they could end up drowning. It only takes a few seconds and a couple of inches of water for a child to drown. We hope nothing like this ever happens to your children. But if it does, you’re going to need to call a swimming pool accident lawyer in Houston.

Thousands of People Drown in this Country Every Year

Every year, there are more than 3,000 drowning accidents in the U.S. Most of these are adults. However, about 20% of them involve children. These statistics don’t include drowning accidents that happen on boats. These mostly involve swimming pool incidents. While some of these do take place at public pools, just as many occur in a private residence. This means that most drowning victims were at a friend or relative’s house at the time of their accident.

These statistics seem quite daunting. That’s because they are. In fact, an average of 3 people die from a swimming pool accident every day. Most of these deaths could have been prevented. People just don’t tend to think that something like this could happen to their child. When it does, they aren’t sure what to do. That’s when a personal injury attorney in Houston can help.

The Homeowner May Be Liable for Your Child’s Injuries

Whenever someone gets hurt on someone else’s property, they may have a claim for damages. This is called premises liability. If your child is swimming at someone’s home, the homeowner may be responsible for any injuries they suffer. For example, if your child hits their head on the diving board, they may end up with serious head injuries. You would have to file a claim against the homeowner’s insurance policy. Hopefully, your claim would be paid. If it isn’t, your Houston injury attorney can try to negotiate a settlement of your claim. If this isn’t possible, they’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit on your behalf.

What if You Don’t Want to Sue Your Friend or Neighbor in Houston?

The last thing anyone wants to do is due to their friend or neighbor. You don’t want to ruin a relationship with someone because of an accident. The good news is that you may not have to file a suit at all. The insurance company may pay for your claim. You also need to keep in mind that, if you do sue, you’re naming the homeowner and their insurance company. It’s not personal – it’s just business. Their insurance company is required to defend the lawsuit for them. And, if they lose, the insurance company will pay. Now, if your damages exceed their policy limit, you may have to pursue them personally. However, this is rare. If you choose not to pursue legal action, that is your prerogative. Your attorney won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in the Houston Area

If your child or loved one is injured in a swimming pool accident, call our office right away. Our dedicated team of injury attorneys have handled many cases like yours before. They understand the law in Texas and will fight to get your family justice. Call the Willis Law Firm right away and schedule your free initial consultation. You can meet with a seasoned attorney who can answer any of your questions. They can also give you an idea of what your case is worth. Right now, the most important thing is nursing your child back to health. The last thing you need to be doing is fighting with insurance companies. Let us handle that for you. The consultation is free and you don’t have to pay our office a dime until you settle your case.

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