According to the US Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the fifth leading cause of death by unintentional injury. Every day, around ten people die as a result of unintentional drowning and two of them are aged 14 or under. For every child who is fatally injured, another five go to the emergency room for non-fatal injuries. Among the youngest age group – children ages one to four – most drownings take place in home swimming pools
Even when a child survives a near-drowning, they often suffer long-term problems including learning disabilities, memory problems, and loss of basic functioning. While some need care for the rest of their lives, others require surgery or costly physical therapy in order to recover. If your child was injured, you may be able to claim compensation. However, it won’t be easy. You’ll need to work with a Houston personal injury lawyer to build a claim for compensation.
Common Types of Swimming Pool Injuries
Many people assume that a child will be safe in and around a pool once they know how to swim. However, many injuries that occur in pools are actually due to poor-quality equipment or design defects. This means that an entity is often negligent, and they can be held responsible for these injuries or deaths. Pool injuries can include:
- Cuts from rough surfaces or sharp edges
- Broken bones and sprains caused by slip-and-fall accidents
- Spinal damage and concussions after diving into an unexpectedly shallow pool
- Entrapment in a drain or suction fitting
- Skin irritation caused by pool chemicals
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Injuries
Children can get injured in and around swimming pools in several ways. Sometimes, horseplay turns tragic. However, many pools are simply dangerous because the owners don’t adhere to strict standards or keep up with regular maintenance. They may have loose tiles on the deck or a shallow “deep” end. Ladders can be faulty and anti-entrapment devices may be absent or not in working order.
These hazards can be present in both private pools and public pools. In the latter case, inadequate security can also be a contributing factor. Small children should not able to freely wander into an area with a pool. There should be a fence, locked gate or some other type of barrier.
That being said, public pools present a number of specific challenges. In addition to potential equipment defects, lack of adequate supervision and security can also result in injuries. Some incidents occur because lifeguards weren’t paying attention or other workers didn’t carry out their duties. Pool workers have a duty to ensure that anyone using the pool is safe. If they don’t and their actions rise to the level of negligence, they can be held accountable under the law.
Similarly, slip-and-fall injuries aren’t always the fault of the victim. It’s true that children often fall and injure themselves in the usual course of things. However, some falls occur because the facility isn’t properly maintained. If your child was hurt because the owner or manager of a pool facility failed to upkeep the property, you may be entitled to compensation.
Why It’s Important to Hire an Attorney?
It can be difficult to determine exactly how a swimming pool accident occurred. Therefore, you’ll need help in getting to the bottom of the situation and determining who was at fault. You can only claim compensation if you pursue the correct party. An attorney has the capacity to investigate, gather evidence, and seek eyewitness and expert testimony. You won’t be able to do this on your own, especially when you’re caring for an injured child.
With help from a lawyer, you may be able to claim compensation for current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering and other losses.
Contact The Willis Law Firm to Discuss Your Case Today
You need a lawyer who will fight on behalf of you and your child. When you work with the Houston personal injury attorneys at our firm, you’re guaranteed to get excellent advice and representation. Swimming pools should be enjoyable for children. They shouldn’t leave them nursing serious injuries. We know how difficult it can be to cope when your child isn’t well. That’s why we’ll take care of the insurance companies and attorneys while you focus on your family. Call us today to schedule a consultation and get a professional opinion on your case.