Summer Is Peak Season for Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pools provide an ideal respite from the sweltering heat of summer, which can be particularly intense in South Georgia. There’s nothing like a refreshing dive into the ice-cold water on a summer’s day to awaken the senses. However, swimming pools are far from risk-free, especially for children. Each year, hundreds of poolgoers suffer accidents and injuries that can have lifelong implications (or worse). If you, your child, or someone else has suffered a pool-related injury due to negligence, a Tifton personal injury lawyer can help you weigh your options. 

Common Types of Swimming Pool Injuries 

Pool-related injuries are unfortunately common across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury for children aged 5-14 (after motor vehicle accidents). The CDC estimates that each year, there are a total of 4,000 fatal drownings and 8,000 nonfatal drownings nationwide. (A “nonfatal drowning” occurs when the victim survives a drowning incident but suffers injuries such as brain damage or permanent disability.) 

Accidents and injuries in and around swimming pools can occur in a variety of ways, including: 

• Drowning 
• Slips and falls on wet pavement 
• Head injuries due to diving 
• Disembowelment due to pool drain accidents 
• Electrocution due to faulty mechanical components
• Injuries due to unsafe use of toys or pool equipment 
• Falls from ladders or stairs 

Georgia Swimming Pool Laws 

Given the inherent risks surrounding pools, state, county, and local governments impose strict safety regulations on pool owners. Those regulations vary according to the issuing authority and by whether the pool in question is public or private. For example, Georgia state law heavily regulates public pools, spas, and waterparks, with over 80 pages of rules and regulations. At the other end of the spectrum, Tift County law merely requires private pools to be enclosed by a fence or wall at least four feet in height. 

Liability for Swimming Pool Accidents 

Liability for swimming pool accidents generally falls within the scope of premises liability law. At a high level, premises liability law requires owners and occupiers of land — including pool owners — to exercise reasonable care to ensure the safety of visitors, including warning them of potential hazards. If a pool owner fails to meet that standard — for example, by failing to adequately maintain their pool equipment or failing to comply with one or more pool rules and regulations — they may be liable for any injuries caused under a theory of negligence. 

Discuss Your Case With a Tifton Personal Injury Lawyer 

If you or someone you care about has suffered a pool-related injury that you believe was the result of negligence, you may be entitled to pursue a legal claim. For more information, please contact a Tifton personal injury lawyer at the Hudson Injury Firm by calling 229-396-5848 or using our online form.