Miami Swimming Pool Accidents

Homeowners considering buying a pool would be well-advised to research the legal responsibilities that come with pool ownership. If someone suffers injuries on your property, including your swimming pool, you could be held financially responsible for their injuries, damages, and losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident due to someone else's negligence, please contact an experienced Miamipersonal injury lawyer to learn about your legal rights and options.

Children and adults alike are at risk of serious injury or death whenever they are near a swimming pool. Someone does not have to be behaving dangerously by the pool to sustain an injury. It is common for drowning accidents to happen when the pool is not being used. That is why it is important to carefully supervise children whenever they are near a pool -- whether they intend to swim or not.

Children especially are vulnerable to these types of accidents. All it takes is an unlocked gate for a young child to slip and fall into a pool and suffer a silent death. These tragic incidents commonly occur in our backyard pools. But these tragedies can also be easily prevented by exercising care and caution and by remaining vigilant at all times.

The pool owner is legally responsible for providing a safe environment for any and all visitors who may be near the pool. It is also the responsibility of the pool owner to do what it takes to ensure the safety of visitors and those in the home. Steps pool owners can make to reduce the chances of an injury include:

• Require guests to keep a close eye on their children when near or in the pool.
• Limit the amount of alcohol consumption allowed near the pool area.
• Keep lifeguards readily accessible, especially if you are hosting a crowded party.
• Not only should pool owners require supervision whenever a child is swimming, but children playing around the pool area should also be closely watched.
• Make sure you purchase at least $1 million worth of liability insurance in case there is an accident.
• Make sure your swimming pool has a gate, which is locked at all times. Pool alarms are also a good idea.

Pool owners are legally required to provide safe conditions to all visitors. Additionally, pool owners must secure their pool area so that unwanted and unsupervised visitors must not be allowed access to the pool. Homeowners who fail to make sure that people are supervised at all times when near the pool may be found negligent and therefore liable for any injuries suffered in their pool. Swimming pool accidents also commonly occur in clubs or during daycare trips to water parks. In such cases, the club operator or daycare operator could also be held liable for injuries, damages, and losses caused as a result of a swimming pool accident.

Please remember that swimming pool accidents can result in fatal drowning or near-drowning. In many cases, those who nearly drown sustain severe brain injuries because the oxygen supply to the brain is cut off. Such incidents have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida swimming pool accident, please contact the experienced personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of Ruth E. Johnson at no cost to explore and examine your legal rights and options.