Hanging out at a swimming pool is a great way to beat the New Mexico heat, but it comes with some risks.
Swimming pool accidents can occur at private and public swimming pools.
If you or someone you love sustained injuries at a pool, you could have the right to bring a legal claim for damages.
But pursuing compensation in these types of claims can be tricky, so you need a skilled accident attorney will knowledge about swimming pool accidents in New Mexico.
The legal team at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. has years of experience helping injured victims pursue compensation from negligent property owners and other liable parties.
Contact us immediately to schedule a free consultation if you lost a family member or sustained severe injuries due to another party’s actions or inaction.
You have nothing to lose by speaking with a swimming pool accident lawyer to learn more about whether you have a case.
Common Types of Accidents Involving Swimming Pools
Many people know you can drown in a swimming pool, but that is only one of the tragedies that could happen to you or someone you love. Swimming pools are great for exercise, relaxation, and even therapy.
However, dangers are associated with visiting a swimming pool. Some of the most common types of accidents and hazards include the following.
Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accidents
Kids who run around the pool risk slipping and falling in puddles of water, especially if it’s a slippery surface or getting dark out. Other hazards, pool equipment, and toys can cause someone to trip and fall as well.
Pool Drain Suction Accidents
Pool and hot tub drains can be extremely dangerous, especially when they are uncovered. If someone gets too close, their hair or bathing suit could become suctioned and caught, leading to severe injuries or even drowning.
Electrocutions
Some pool cleaning equipment is electrical. An errant electric current in the water could kill someone, so visitors should follow all pool rules and stay out of the pool if someone is cleaning or working on it.
Diving Boards and Slides
Jumping or diving off a pool diving board can be great fun. However, it can also cause catastrophic injuries.
Diving into a shallow pool could result in severe head and spinal injuries. Inexperienced divers and swimmers should never go head first off a diving board, especially if swimming in an unfamiliar pool.
The same rules apply to pool slides. These slides are great fun, but even hitting the water wrong when coming off one could result in injuries.
Pool Toy Accidents
Pool toys can malfunction or burst while in the water, thereby causing injuries. Playing on pool toys in the pool could result in them flipping over, causing you to hit your head on the side of the pool.
Drowning Statistics in the United States
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowning is a leading cause of death for children across the country. This is especially true for children between ages 1 – 4.
More children in this age range die from drowning than any other accident or event, except for congenital disabilities. When you look at children ages 1 – 14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury. The leading cause of death is motor vehicle collisions.
The research indicates that every year, 3,960 drownings are fatal and unintentional.
That may not seem like a huge number, but when you look at it on a daily average, this translates to 11 drowning deaths every day in the United States. But this isn’t the full picture because some drownings are not fatal.
The number of non-fatal drownings jumps to 8,080 yearly, or 22 non-fatal drownings every day.
Children who survive drowning need emergency room treatment and possibly hospitalization. Many non-fatal drownings result in permanent injuries, such as brain damage.
Potential Swimming Pool Accident Injuries
Injuries in a swimming pool accident vary based on the circumstances of the accident. Some of the more common injuries we see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Spinal cord damage, including paralysis;
- Broken or fractured limbs;
- Torn ligaments;
- Lacerations and contusions;
- Infections; and
- Drowning.
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a swimming pool accident, speak with a New Mexico swimming pool accident attorney as soon as possible.
The sooner you retain an attorney, the sooner we can start protecting your legal rights.
Discuss your case with us during a free consultation.
Who Is Responsible for a Swimming Pool Accident?
Determining responsible parties in a swimming pool accident is rarely straightforward.
While the property owner might have some legal responsibility, they might not be the only named defendant. Lack of supervision and faulty equipment are two examples that could result in other negligent parties.
Cases could involve pools at a:
- Hotel or motel,
- Amusement park,
- Gym,
- Apartment or condo,
- Public pool, or
- Private pool.
Many people don’t realize that homeowners can be liable to child trespassers who come and sustain injuries at the pool under the “attractive nuisance” theory.
Pool owners must take extra precautions to keep people from injuring themselves—even if that person is a trespasser. Property owners should keep their pools covered, have a fence with a locking gate, etc.
Compensation for a Swimming Pool Accident
The compensation you could receive from a swimming pool accident will vary from case to case. You could generally demand compensation for medical expenses, time off from work, pain and suffering, future medical care, and more.
When you meet with a New Mexico swimming pool accidents lawyer at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we will explain what types of compensation you could be eligible to receive and how much your case could be worth.
Contact a Swimming Pool Accidents Attorney
You have some swimming pool accident law firms to choose from, so you might be wondering why you should hire Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. For one, we have worked hard to build a reputation for success.
Some personal injury law firms operate their practice like a factory, quickly closing as many files as possible so they can take on more and more new clients.
We pride ourselves on providing aggressive representation and personalized attention to every client we represent.
You won’t be just another case file in our system, nor will we push to quickly resolve your claim so we can move on to the next one. We know how devastating a swimming pool accident can be for you and your family.
Our top priority is to help you get the compensation you’re owed.
Contact our office today to schedule an initial meeting to learn more about how we can help.