7 Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents | San Antonio Lawyers

Cooling off in a swimming pool on a hot San Antonio afternoon is a fun way to spend time with your friends and loved ones. However, it is important to keep yourself safe and take the proper precautions while swimming. If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, talk to one of the San Antonio accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw about the details of your accident so we can help you figure out who is liable.

Our San Antonio injury lawyers know that there are many reasons why swimming pool accidents happen. Here are 7 common causes of swimming pool accidents:

• Lack of pool barriers - Most pools should have a four-sided isolation fence to prevent children from wandering in unsupervised. People, especially children, need protection from pools to prevent drowning and other accidents.
• Slippery surfaces - The area surrounding the pool is often wet and slippery. Tiled surfaces can get especially slippery and cause slips and falls. Uneven or cracked pavement can also lead to catastrophic accidents.
• Absent or inadequately trained pool staff - Our lawyers know that public pools must have a lifeguard on duty at all times that people are inside the pool. If there are no lifeguards, the pool owner needs to put up a warning sign.
• Design or building violations - Pool owners need to ensure that their swimming area is a safe environment. If a pool has a broken or absent pool ladder, allows overcrowding, or does not have warning signs for diving, then you may have a swimming pool accident claim.
• Lack of anti-entrapment devices - All pools should have anti-entrapment devices to protect swimmers from pool drains. If there are not any, this could result in the swimmer’s hair, clothing, or limbs being caught in the drain.
• Water Clarity - Cloudy or murky water is typically a sign of the lack of pool maintenance. This can make swimming underwater dangerous for swimmers.
• Poorly Lit pools - Swimming areas need to be properly lit in the water and surrounding areas. If there is a lack of lighting, dive injuries can occur and lifeguards may have a hard time seeing where the swimmers are, especially in deep water.

Accidents caused by pool negligence can result in brain damage, aspiration pneumonia, hypothermia, and other submersion injuries. If you suspect that any of these causes contributed to your injuries, contact one of our San Antonio accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Here is what our San Antonio injury lawyers suggest you do after a swimming pool accident:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene.
• Gather witness information. This will greatly help our attorneys while working on your claim.
• Protect your evidence. Filing a preliminary injunction can prevent pool owners from destroying the evidence.
• Document everything. This means saving medical bills, letters of correspondence, and writing down everything you remember about the accident.

The swimming pool owner is responsible for creating a safe environment for those in and outside of the pool. If the accident took place at someone’s home, the homeowner is responsible for the injured. If they do not want to claim responsibility, they will be liable for the swimmer’s injuries. If you believe a homeowner is liable for your injuries, talk to one of our lawyers about your swimming pool accident claim.

If the accident took place at a public pool, it may be possible to sue local government or government agency but it is often difficult. Talk to one of our attorneys to explore your legal options.

Have you or a loved one suffered due to one of the common causes of swimming pool accidents? If so, our San Antonio accident lawyers can help you figure out who is liable and if you are eligible for financial compensation. Call Carabin Shaw at 210-222-2288 for a free initial consultation.