San Bernardino Pool Accident Attorney

Injured in a Swimming Pool Accident?

Hundreds of people drown or suffer injuries every year in swimming pools, many of which take place in the San Bernardino area. Many of these tragic accidents could have been prevented. There are many ways in which an owner of a pool, either public or private, can be negligent, leading to a tragic loss of life, or permanent injuries.

On This Page

• Who is Liable for a Swimming Pool Accident?
• Common Pool Accident Injuries
• Preventing Pool Accidents
• How Our Attorneys Can Help

Contact us today at (888) 963-9999 to schedule a free consultation.

Who is Liable for a Swimming Pool Accident?

In general, property owners are responsible for any accidents that occur on their property. This is a common occurrence when the property involves a swimming pool. Swimming pool accidents can occur due to:

• Negligent lifeguards
• Defective pool drains
• Slippery surfaces
• Lack of supervision of other swimmers
• Defective / poorly maintained diving boards
• Lack of proper safety measures

Public Pools vs Private Pools

Public pools must adhere to specific regulations. Owners of private pools need to have their pools fenced in with a lockable gate to keep out uninvited people, often neighborhood children. Lack of warning signs such as "No Running" or "No Diving" in pool areas can make a pool owner liable in case someone is injured by such actions. Compensation can also be awarded for an accident resulting from lack of child safety when children are present, such as a fence or adult supervision.

Common Pool Accident Injuries

In addition to drowning, catastrophic injuries are often the result of a pool accident. Traumatic head injuries could be sustained when diving into too-shallow waters that are improperly marked. You can break a bone from slipping on surfaces around the pool. Near-drowning can leave a victim with brain damage.

If you have been injured or a loved one has drowned in a swimming pool accident, then you may have the right to file a lawsuit and be compensated.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pool accident, contact our San Bernardino law firm for immediate assistance.

Preventing Pool Accidents

Water related injuries are at a high occurrence in the country and many of them take place in or around the pool. It is important to be proactive and to take safety precautions that can help avoid the potential for an accident. The following are some tips to avoid accidents.

• Know how to swim: All swimmers that are entering the pool should know how to swim adequately. If they are unable to swim on their own then a life vest or floaties should be used and someone should be there to watch them. Even those who can swim should not be left unattended.
• Don't swim alone: Many people drown when they are by themselves. Even a good swimmer can face a problem that they are unable to get out of alone. By simply having someone there, they can either call for help or can help in the rescue process themselves. Many accidents could have easily been avoided had someone been there to keep an eye out for the swimmer. Even when children are in the pool it is smart to use the buddy system so that they always have someone that is supposed to be with them at all times and can recognize if they have gone under the water.
• Don't leave children alone: Even if there are other children present, an adult should be there to make sure no accidents occur. Sometimes a child can be pushed under water and if everyone is loud and distracted they may fail to notice a friend that has gone under. The highest rate of drowning occurs in children between the ages of one to four and the majority of all drowning cases are amongst males. Children between the ages of one to four experience the most drowning accidents in a pool at their home or the home of a friend. Children can try to do many things that are unsafe so someone should be watching them to make sure they don't. This can include trying to do backflips into the water or seeing how long they can hold their breath for.
• Don't run: The pool area can become slippery when water from the pool comes up onto the concrete. It can be easy to lose footing and slip. An individual that slips may fall backwards and hit their head on the cement or they may fall into the pool. Slip and falls are a serious concern and can lead to considerable injuries.
• Use a Life jacket: Having a life jacket can be the best decision to make and it has saved countless lives. For those that are unable to swim alone or those that experienced a reduced ability to swim for any number of reasons, a life vest can keep a person afloat so that they are able to get fresh air.
• Put up barriers: To add extra protection against accidents, add barriers that can increase safety. This may be fencing around the pool that keeps out children so that they cannot enter the area unless supervised by an adult. The pool area should also be kept free of toys. The presence of these can make children more likely to go into the pool without someone watching them.
• Those with seizures should take precaution: Numerous people suffer with seizures and while they may be able to live through many aspects of their daily living, swimming is an area that may need to be adjusted. Many individuals with seizures get little to no warning when an attack is coming and it might be when they are in the pool. This is a common issue for drowning and those with this issue should avoid swimming, swim only with sufficient help and use a life vest.
• Educate: Let guests know the importance of safety, especially children. Children should be taught the risks that can come with swimming so that they have a better understanding of why they need to be cautious.
• Don't drink and swim: Just as it is dangerous to drink and drive, it is also dangerous to drink and swim. Alcohol can greatly impair a person's abilities that are crucial for recognizing danger and using their motor skills to act when in danger. They may become relaxed and lack the ability to get out of a life threatening situation. Around 70 percent of water recreation deaths between adults and adolescents involved the use of alcohol. Alcohol was also present in around 25 percent of visits to the emergency department for drowning.
• Learn CPR: The training of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a very useful thing for anyone to learn. It may be needed at any time and since emergency responders may not get their immediately, knowing CPR can help save a life.

Being safe and cautious can help avoid a drowning accident and save lives. Sometimes a pool accident has occurred due to the negligence of another person. Contact Vetchtein Law to learn more about your legal options.

How Our Attorneys Can Help

A San Bernardino injury lawyer should be consulted if you or a loved one has suffered an injury or loss of life in a drowning or pool accident. It is crucial to investigate these accidents thoroughly so that the facts are clear about what occurred.

A knowledgeable attorney will know exactly what actions to take to determine if negligence led to the injury. If another party's negligence led to the accident, then you have the right to be compensated for damages, or in the most tragic cases, for wrongful death.

Contact Vetchtein Law at (888) 963-9999 for immediate assistance.