What Are Common Swimming Pool Dangers?

There are several types of summer activities we are used to enjoying here in Texas, including taking family trips to swimming pools. However, swimming pools found in private homes, gyms, recreational centers and parks may contain safety hazards. Many of these hazards are created by negligent business practices or defective products. As a result, you and your loved ones are placed in harm’s way. Common swimming pool dangers may include:

• Inattentive or untrained lifeguards: Some swimming pools contain lifeguards. Texas law actually requires lifeguards at certain swimming pools or during specific types of events. These individuals must remain attentive at all times to respond to emergencies. They should not be texting or engaging in other distracting activities. Lifeguards should also be trained to respond to certain emergencies, such as an accidental drowning. All lifeguards should possess CPR training.
• Defective equipment: Swimming pool equipment, such as drains or diving boards, can contain dangerous defects. For example, there are multiple instances where defective underwater lights electrocuted swimmers. Defective pool and spa drain covers may create suction powerful enough to drown swimmers. In other cases, diving boards may contain defects that pose a fall risk.
• Lack of signage: Public pools should contain several types of warning signs. For example, these pools should have signs that warn when lifeguards are not on duty. Other signs should warn parents that children should not use pools without being supervised. Pools should also contain “No Diving” signs. The latter example is especially important to remember, as diving accidents are a preventable cause of spinal cord injuries.
• Poor maintenance: Both public and private swimming pools require regular maintenance. For example, underwater lights can break down and pose a hazard to swimmers. In rare cases, untreated pool water may also cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Naegleria fowleri (the brain eating amoeba) can be found in untreated swimming pools during warm weather. After this parasite infects the brain, most people die from brain swelling caused by primary amoebic meningitis. Those who do survive may require a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
• Broken gates: Swimming pools should be surrounded by fences and accessible by opening gates. Pools with broken gates are accessible by young children. In such cases, accidental drownings may occur.

Can I File a Lawsuit After a Swimming Pool Accident?

If you were injured or lost a loved one during a swimming pool accident, an attorney can help in several ways. For example, you may have signed a waiver at the recreational center or gym where the incident occurred. Depending on the circumstances, a business or recreational center can still be held liable for an injury or death even if a waiver was signed. An experienced attorney can look at the circumstances of the accident and the waiver.There are also laws that set safety standards for swimming pool equipment. For example, pool drains must be in compliance with regulations stipulated in the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act. An attorney will be well-versed in these laws and can determine whether they were followed by the property owner.The Texas personal injury attorneys at Mike Love & Associates, LLC are dedicated to making our community a safer place. Our attorneys can help you review potential legal options for recovering damages if you or your child suffered an injury at a swimming pool.