We’ve all read the sobering statistics about drowning. On average, there are over 3,500 fatal drownings annually in the United States, the equivalent of 10 drowning deaths per day. And worldwide, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death, with 372,000 drowning deaths reported each year.
What is less common knowledge, however, is that thousands of people are non-fatally injured in or around swimming pools each year. Although statistics are not available for the general population as a whole, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that 4,900 children younger than the age of 15 receive emergency care for injuries suffered in swimming pools and spas each year.
Swimming pool injuries can occur in a multitude of ways, often without warning, and at any time of day or night. They can also occur in any type of pool or spa: small or large, residential or public, indoor or outdoor. And they can occur whether or not a trained lifeguard is on duty. Common hazardous conditions that may result in injury-causing pool accidents include:
- Broken diving boards
- Cracked pool decks
- Damaged pool equipment
- Defective floatation devices
- Faulty drain covers
- Improper chemical use or storage
- Pool deck debris
- Pool staff negligence
- Unsecured facilities
- Uncommonly slippery surfaces
The types of injuries sustained by pool accident victims is also wide ranging. Some injuries may be relatively minor, while others may result in lengthy hospital stays or an inability to work for extended periods of time. In especially serious cases, victims may suffer long-term medical problems or disabilities that prevent them from living independently. Some of the more common injuries victims sustain in pool accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Contusions
- Dislocations
- Lacerations
- Neurological injuries
- Sprains
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
When swimming pool injuries appear to be caused by the negligence or recklessness of those responsible for maintaining the pool, victims may be able to recover for their injuries by bringing a premises liability claim. In many cases, pool injury victims who are represented by an experienced attorney will be able to obtain a much larger settlement or award than those who are unrepresented.