Using a swimming pool is an excellent way to exercise and stay cool. Public and personal swimming pools are common across California – but so are pool accidents. In cases where negligence has played a part in a pool accident or injury, an experienced and highly skilled Orange County swimming pool accident lawyer might be able to help.
Tragic swimming pool deaths and injuries can occur in backyard pools, hotels, schools, country clubs, water parks, and more. If a pool has unsafe conditions or the swimmers are not adequately supervised, the pool-goers will be at risk.
Common pool incidents such as drownings, near-drownings, slips, and diving accidents can have severe and life-threatening effects.
Turning to a personal injury lawyer in Orange County might be the best path to justice when a person suffers an injury or death due to a pool incident. Our expert pool of injury attorneys offers a free consultation and a no-win-no-fee promise.
We can answer any questions you might have, from the statute of limitations in a pool accident case to the value of your claim. Call (949) 203-3814 or contact Bisnar Chase now.
If you are injured in a pool accident, you should contact an accident lawyer who specializes in pool accidents. The lawyer will be able to help you with the process of filing a claim and getting compensation for your injury.
Orange County Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers
What Are My Legal Options If I Am Injured in a Swimming Pool?
Swimming is not just a summer activity in Orange County. The year-round good weather that we enjoy makes it an activity enjoyed by countless people of all ages throughout the year.
The plaintiff, in this case, will claim damages for the injuries caused by the accident. The plaintiff can claim medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
We should note that if the injury was not caused on purpose, the plaintiff could also claim punitive damages.
Compensation for a swimming pool accident
The accident’s severity is determined by what body part you were injured. You may be entitled to a higher settlement if you have an injury to your head, neck, or spine.
A settlement is determined by the type and severity of injury that resulted from the accident, and your attorney will be able to determine what compensation is fair.
If you, your child, or another loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident or near-drowning incident, either on another person’s property or on someone else’s watch, you must understand your legal rights and options.
Contact Bisnar Chase now for expert help. We offer a free consultation with no obligations. Our Orange County premises liability lawyers will be able to assess your case and provide you with the guidance you need to make an informed decision on your next step.
Call (949) 203-3814 for immediate help from one of our experienced Orange County swimming pool accident attorneys.
Types of Swimming Pool Accidents in Orange County
The leading causes of a swimming pool accident are:
- when someone does not pay attention to the water depth and steps on the sides
- when someone has a medical emergency such as a seizure or faints and falls into the water
- Drownings: Swimming pool drownings are unfortunately far too common. Drowning deaths occur when people cannot breathe because they are submerged in water. This can happen for many reasons, including a victim being unable to swim or too tired to do so.
- Near-drownings: This refers to people who suffer the effects of drowning but survive the experience. Near-drowning victims sometimes suffer permanent effects, such as catastrophic brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Pool injuries can occur, even if you are not in the water. Pool water is easily splashed over the surrounding ground, making it wet and slippery. This can easily lead to a slip accident.
- Chemical issues: Swimming pools have to use chemicals in the water to keep it clean and safe to swim in. However, they can also be dangerous. Pool water must contain the right amount of chemicals and be appropriately filtered. If not, injuries can occur.
- Diving accidents: Swimming pool diving accidents are a significant cause of serious injuries. The key causes of these injuries are people diving into water that is not deep enough. An injury may also be caused by faulty equipment, such as a diving board. Diving accidents can cause severe issues such as spinal cord injuries.
The Signs of Drowning
Drowning incidents are hard to prevent because the signs of drowning can be undetectable. Someone who is about to drown is not always loud and distressed. Sometimes, a victim may simply have his or her head low in the water.
A person drowning may not look like it does on TV when the victim flails and calls for help before going underwater. It may simply look like someone slowly sinking without much struggle. This is because a real drowning victim will tire and gasp for breath.
Signs of drowning include:
- Silence, with a look of panic on their face.
- Treading water with head tilted back.
- Scrambling to keep hold of a float, pool wall, or pool line.
- Floating face down.
Other swimming pool drowning accidents occur when someone tripped and fell into a pool. This is why pool owners must keep walkways clear of debris.
Individuals who strike their head on the ground before falling into a pool are in particular danger of drowning if they are not immediately pulled from the water. They may have lost consciousness and be unable to pull themselves up.
Anyone who sees someone drowning should try to help without putting themselves in danger. They should:
- Throw a flotation device to the person or swim out to them if it is safe.
- Call emergency services.
- Perform CPR.
Swimming Pool Accident Statistics
These are some of the most alarming swimming pool statistics, including information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as other safety watchdogs:
- There was an average of 3,900 fatal unintentional drowning incidents that were not boat-related every year. That means that about 10 people drown in the United States every day.
- About one-fifth of the fatally-injured victims were children below the age of 15, and for every child who dies from drowning, another five require emergency care.
- Statistics indicate that more than 3,000 youngsters require emergency hospital care for drowning-related injuries every year.
- According to statistics compiled by the Orange County Fire Authority, officials got 74 drowning calls in one year. Of those calls, 35 resulted in fatalities, and in many other cases, victims suffered irreversible brain damage.
- In one year alone, California had the third-highest rate of children aged under 15 drowning in pools and spas (behind Florida and Texas).
- Pool drowning is the single most common cause of death for children under the age of 14 in California.
Who is Liable in a CA. Swimming Pool Accident Cases?
Who is responsible for a pool accident in California? It can vary from case to case, depending on the circumstances. When a pool incident leads to an injury or wrongful death, the blame can lie with a number of different parties.
The owner or manager of a swimming pool. In many cases, pool accidents are a result of premises liability. This means that the person in charge of the pool is at fault, whether it is a personal, public, or government-run swimming pool.
At-fault parties could include homeowners with a pool in their yard, as well as operators of public pool facilities or owners of hotels, motels, gyms, and more. However, an owner is not always at fault for an accident happening at their pool. Some factors that could contribute to a pool accident claim include:
- The owner may have failed to employ staff or lifeguards to supervise swimmers.
- Subpar maintenance leads to dangerous pool conditions.
- A lack of warning signs – for instance, indicating pool depth.
Employees. Even if the pool owner did everything right, their employees might be negligent. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety of pool users. The negligent staff could include lifeguards who do not pay attention, or a school teacher supervising a swim class.
Construction or maintenance teams. It is important that swimming pools are constructed properly and inspected according to safety guidelines. If not, crews could be held liable for resulting accidents.
Manufacturers. Accidents can happen at swimming pools as a result of faulty parts. For instance, a poorly constructed water slide or diving board could lead to injury – and a legal claim. If anyone is hurt in or around a pool, they should seek an experienced swimming pool accident lawyer in Orange County who can guide them in taking legal action.
What Should You Do If You Have Been Involved in a Pool Accident?
If you, or someone you know, has been hurt in a swimming pool accident in Orange County, there are a few steps you should take. These steps will boost your claim if you hire a swimming pool accident attorney to help you take legal action.
- Seek medical attention.
Whether you have been injured in a pool slip-and-fall, or a near-drowning incident, make sure you get the appropriate medical attention. - Document the accident.
When it is safe to do so, you should form a clear picture of the events.
– Write a first-hand account of the accident and how it came about.
– Talk to witnesses, and take down their contact details. Ask them for statements on what happened if possible.
– Take pictures of the scene, including any potential causes of the accident. - Preserve any evidence relating to the incident.
If your pool injury was caused by a piece of faulty equipment, such as a dangerous diving board, make sure you keep it. - Assemble and organize your evidence.
This should include anything relating to your pool accident. Request a copy of your police report, if police were involved. Obtain copies of related medical paperwork, including:
– Medical records and treatments due to the pool incident.
– Proof of doctor’s appointments and physio treatments.
– Proof of bills and expenses.
– You should also assemble your photos of the scene and your injuries, as well as your eye-witness statements, and proof of lost wages if you have had to miss work. - Contact an Orange County swimming pool accident lawyer.
If a family is grieving a pool drowning death, or a person is struggling with the injuries they sustained in a swimming pool, it can be tough to turn your mind to legal proceedings. But this is an important step. A high-quality swimming pool injury lawyer can provide the support you need during this difficult time. Make sure you only discuss your case with the opposing insurance firm when your attorney is with you.
Compensation for a Swimming Pool Injury in Orange County
Swimming pool accidents can and do happen in Orange County. When they do occur, it is important that pool incident victims and their families are offered fair compensation for their injuries or losses.
There is no set level of compensation for pool injury victims. Each case must be evaluated on its own merits to determine who was responsible, how the accident could have been prevented, and how much compensation the victim should get.
It could include funeral costs in the case of a fatal drowning incident or money to help with ongoing care if a victim has suffered permanent brain damage or disability.
Swimming pool accident lawyers in Orange County will fight to make sure their clients are made whole.
Some of the other factors impacting compensation include:
- How bad the injury was, and the victim’s pain and suffering.
- Level of negligence causing the accident.
- Medical bills and expenses.
- Future treatment and care costs.
- Lost wages and earning potential.
- Wrongful death and loss.
Swimming Pool Accident Prevention in Orange County
There are steps that swimmers and pool owners can take to prevent swimming pool accidents. These include:
- Taking swimming lessons. It is essential for people of all ages to be able to swim in a swimming pool safely.
- Post signs indicating whether a lifeguard is on duty. This is a legal requirement in Orange County.
- Have appropriate safety gear on hand, such as a life ring.
- Make sure there is fencing around pools (in accordance with the law).
- Have a lifeguard on duty at peak times.
- Property owners can install door alarms near home pools to prevent young children from falling in accidentally.
Top-Rated Orange County Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers
If you have lost a loved one or been injured in a swimming pool accident involving negligence, contact Bisnar Chase. Our team of personal injury attorneys takes pride in offering superior representation.
Our top-rated swimming pool accident lawyers take on cases from Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Irvine, and all other cities across Orange County.
Bisnar Chase has earned its outstanding reputation over 45 years in business. Our firm has collected more than $900 million for our clients, with a 99% success rate.
Above all, our lawyers care. We are passionate about building trusting attorney-client relationships and ensuring that our clients get the justice they deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with our top-rated experts now. Click here for contact options, use our website’s live chat, or call (949) 203-3814 now. An expert Orange County swimming pool accident attorney is standing by to win the justice and compensation you deserve.
