With warmer days fast approaching, millions of Americans will soon be ringing in the summer by heading to pool parties—and Dallas residents are no exception. But although swimming pools are a staple of summer fun, they can also be incredibly dangerous. In fact, a swimming pool at home is 100 times more dangerous to a child than a gun at home. And a survey of 1,000 adults revealed that 50% have had at least one drowning scare during their lifetime. Other types of swimming pool accidents not involving drownings — such as diving accidents — may prove fatal or result in serious injury. That’s why the Dallas injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw have compiled an overview of 5 common causes of serious swimming pool injuries. Read on to learn about preventing accidents, what to do if an accident has occurred, and how to choose the right accident lawyer in Dallas.
5 Common Causes of Serious Swimming Pool Injuries, and How to Prevent Them 1. Drowning / Near-Drowning AccidentsDrowning can occur for a number of reasons, including an inability to swim, panicking while swimming, experiencing a seizure or heart attack while in the water, young children swimming with inadequate supervision, and more.
To prevent drowning, there are many precautions that our Dallas swimming pool accident attorneys recommend. These include:
Diving accidents can be caused by a number of reasons, but they are often the result of someone diving into water that is too shallow.
To prevent diving accidents, pool owners must clearly mark depths around the pool’s edges, and must also post warnings against diving near water that is too shallow. Swimmers should never dive headfirst in water that is less than 9 feet deep.
3. Slip and FallsSlip and fall accidents are a common cause of swimming pool accidents, and they can result in injuries ranging from bruises to traumatic brain injury.
To prevent slip and fall accidents, it’s important to teach children not to run near pools or spas, keep pool toys and hoses stowed safely away from the pool, and post signage warning pool visitors of wet surfaces.
4. IntoxicationAccording to the CDC, a staggering 70 percent of water recreation deaths involve alcohol impairment. To prevent injury or death, never mix alcohol or drug use with swimming.
5. Defective EquipmentPools must be regularly maintained in order to ensure safety. Damaged or defective pool equipment can cause serious injury. Federal law requires all pools to have anti-entrapment devices in order to prevent swimmers’ hair, clothing, or limbs from becoming caught in a drain. If these devices are broken or missing, pool owners may be sued by the injured party with the help of an accident lawyer in Dallas.
Similarly, diving boards and ladders can become fatal if they are damaged. To prevent injuries caused by damaged pool equipment, have your pool regularly inspected and maintained.
Have You or a Loved One Suffered Because of a Swimming Pool Accident? You Need a Dallas Injury Lawyer.If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in a swimming pool, you need to hire an attorney who specializes in these types of accidents. Negligent property owners may be held legally responsible for injuries or fatalities that occurred in their pools, and a qualified attorney can help you determine whether negligence occurred.
Here at Carabin Shaw, our Dallas swimming pool accident attorneys can help you and your family navigate the aftermath of your accident, no matter the circumstances that caused it. Our lawyers have 200 years of combined legal experience and have been handling accident claims for more than two decades.
To schedule your free consultation with a knowledgeable, compassionate lawyer, call our Carabin Shaw office serving Dallas at 1-800-862-1260. Don’t wait—call us to learn how a qualified accident lawyer in Dallas can help you today.