Common Causes of Pool Accidents
Common Causes of Pool Accidents and Drownings:
- Failure to maintain water clarity
- Innatentive and untrained Life Guards
- Failure to maintain self latching and closing gates that keep young children from entering pool area
- Failure to maintain pool logs as required by state laws
- Vacuum drains that do not have proper covers can cause serious or fatal results
- Lack of safety equipment on hand such as shepard hooks and ring buoys with throw ropes
- Lack of flotation safety lines separating deep and shallow areas of pool
- Unclear depth markers that prevent swimmers from knowing what the depth of the pool is
- Lack of certified and properly trained pool staff responsible for pool upkeep
- Defective pool equipment such as filters and pool pumps that affect water clarity
- Lack of pool ladders that allow easy exit from pools
- Emergency phone near pool not working or non-existent
- Overcrowded pools with too many people in the pool at one time
- Inadequate light for pool area
- Defective pool lights
Each state governs commercial pools and spas. These pools are usually defined as Class "C" pools. A Class "C" pool is a commercial pool such as a hotel, condominium, resort, water park, or other privately owned or public pool. These pools must be maintained and operated according to the rules of each state such as The Texas Department of Health and Safety Standards for Pools and Spas.
A pool that does not follow Department of Health standards is in violation of state codes and regulations and must cease operation immediately until the pool has rectified the violation and given authority from the local government agency to reopen the pool. Pool drownings resulting in catastrophic injury or death can be avoided if pool safety guidelines are followed.
Water clarity is one of the most important guidelines. For a pool to be in compliance, you MUST be able to clearly see the drain of the pool in the deepest part. Water clarity is essential for rescue efforts of children submerged and in need of help. Shepard's hooks and safety equipment like throw ropes and buoys are essential life saving equipment that may be used to rescue swimmers who need help.
Often life guards that are on duty are too busy or occupied to adequately monitor every swimmer. This lack of attention can lead to children in need of help going unnoticed. A lifeguard must maintain visibility of each section of the pool and respond within seconds to an emergency situation. Pools can easily become overcrowded with swimmers if lifeguards and pool staff are not being completely attentive. Every pool has a bather or user load that must be strictly enforced. Again, if the rules are followed, accidents can be prevented.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a drowning, it is vital that you seek legal help immediately and before you give any statement to staff or any other entity. These statements are generally being recorded and often have an impact on your case. It is also important to remember key witnesses' names or other individuals who were present at the time of the accident. If the pool is dirty or murky, take a photo of the pool. Many pool operators will immediately drain the pool to hide evidence and literally let the evidence essential to your case go down the drain. Make sure that the law firm that you hire is experienced in pool accidents. Hilliard Muñoz Gonzales L.L.P. maintains multiple pool cases on file and works on pool cases on a daily basis. Many law firms will advertise or state that they are experienced pool lawyers. We truly are and we have the best experts in the country ready to work on your case.
