805-962-1930 Santa Barbara Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer
Every year, thousands of children and adults are seriously injured or killed in the United States in accidents involving swimming pools. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 200 children drown yearly, and more than 2,000 others need emergency room treatment due to swimming pool accidents.
Swimming pools should be for fun in the sun, but they sometimes result in severe injuries or fatalities. Swimming pool accidents and drownings in Santa Barbara, and throughout the state of California, are common. If you, a friend, or a family member suffered injuries in a Santa Barbara swimming pool accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Maho Prentice, LLP, for a prompt claim review.
Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
Diving accidents are often the result of negligence. What starts as a fun outing with family and friends can quickly become a horrible tragedy. Among the most common causes of diving accidents are:
Inadequate Fencing around Public or Private Swimming Pools
Under California law, private and public pool owners must follow specific rules regarding fencing. They are expected to have an exceptionally high fence with a locking gate. Children are generally attracted to swimming pools, and if there is no proper fencing, there is an increased likelihood of unfortunate accidents. Under California law, having an inadequate fence around a swimming pool or an unlocked gate can result in a premises liability claim. Moreover, inadequate fencing can also result in slip-and-fall accidents.
Negligent Supervision
If hotel pools are poorly maintained or not adequately supervised, it can result in falls causing sprains, fractures, or severe injuries. Unfortunately, wrongful death can also result from severe head, neck, and spinal injuries or electrocutions.
Auto Accidents
All public and private swimming pools should have a lifeguard on duty. They are meant to ensure pool rules are followed. If lifeguards overlook an individual in distress in a swimming pool or a hazardous situation, the situation can possibly be treated as a case of negligent supervision.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns can be the cause of a pool accident. Owners must use a combination of chemicals to sanitize their pools and maintain safe pH levels. However, an incorrect variety of chemicals can be extremely harmful. The liability of chemical burns lies with the property owners or maintenance companies. The liability falls on the government if the injuries occur in a public pool.
Here at Maho Prentice, LLP, our personal injury lawyers are familiar with the serious injuries that arise from swimming pool accidents. Our law firm has successfully fought swimming pool accident cases, sought justice and received compensation for several swimming pool accident victims.
California liability law is complex. In order to pursue compensation, it is in your best interest to seek legal help from a skilled and dedicated personal injury lawyer.
Sporting Equipment
Most hotel and motel properties, especially those near Santa Barbara beaches, offer sports equipment and activities such as water skiing, boats for rent, jet skis, scuba diving, and fitness rooms. If management of these operations is not properly maintained, serious injuries may occur.
Most Common Injuries at Swimming Pools
You are at risk for more than just a sunburn when you go swimming. Pools are a perfect storm of risk factors, including electrical hazards, large bodies of water, wet and slippery flooring, and hazardous chemicals. The most common swimming pool injuries include:
Drowning
Drowning is the most well-known type of swimming injury, and occurs when an individual is submerged underwater and suffocates. All deaths occurring within 24 hours after being submerged are considered drowning deaths. A person can drown due to exhaustion, cramping, fatigue, or inadequate swimming skills.
Entrapment Drowning
Swimming pools use filters that capture water and other debris to filter out various substances and keep the water clean. However, the strong suction of these filters can entrap or entangle someone’s hair. Lane ropes and pool ladders can also entangle swimmers. If a body party becomes entangled or trapped under the water, head injuries and drowning are possible.
Near Drowning
A pool accident is considered a near-drowning incident if a swimmer survives 24 hours or longer after submerging underwater. If the swimmer fails to recover from their injuries and passes away more than 24 hours later, the death is not considered a drowning.
Electrical Injuries
If electrical systems are installed incorrectly or poorly maintained, they can leak electrical current into swimming pools. Electric shock drowning is extremely dangerous and can severely injure or kill swimmers.
Another CDC study demonstrates that drowning is the 5th leading cause of unintentional injury death among all ages and 2nd leading cause among children aged 14 or under. More than 3,960 children drown in the country annually, and there are an additional 8,000 non-fatal drownings. According to the CDC, other non-fatal drowning injuries include paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, memory loss, learning disabilities, or permanent loss of essential functions. Many swimming pool accidents occur when small children slip away from their caregivers or parents and access a swimming pool while unattended.
Are You Eligible to Seek Compensation?
Premises liability is a significant factor in many swimming pool accident cases. If a drowning or other swimming pool injury has occurred due to negligence, the responsible parties could be financially liable for the damages and losses you have suffered. If you want to pursue compensation for your injuries or seek justice for the wrongful death of a loved one, it is vital to contact a swimming pool accident lawyer from Maho Prentice, LLP, to advocate on your behalf.
Do not deal with the hospital bills and insurance companies alone when someone else’s negligence has caused injuries to you or a loved one. At Maho Prentice, LLP, the personal injury attorneys have substantial experience handling swimming pool cases. As soon as you contact us, we will begin determining the cause of your swimming pool accident case and establish the negligence of those at-fault.
Contact a Santa Barbara Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer
If you believe you have a personal injury case in Santa Barbara, CA, please do not hesitate to seek legal assistance. It costs nothing to contact the personal injury lawyers at Maho Prentice, LLP,. We will start fighting for your rights if we believe you have a swimming pool accident case.Unfortunately, we have seen many unexpected and unfortunate incidents happen to good people. That is why our compassionate and dedicated personal injury attorneys are ready to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve. Once our injury attorneys review and agree to take your personal injury case, we will investigate, gather evidence, prepare, and present a solid claim with no fee unless you recover compensation. Our legal team understands how to assist you from the moment of your swimming pool accident. Through doctor visits, recovery, legal phase, and settlement you can trust Maho Prentice, LLP,. Contact us for a free consultation.