There is nothing more refreshing and fun than going for a swim on a hot summer day. However, what could have been a relaxing and soothing moment could turn into a living nightmare after an accident. Unfortunately, swimming pool accidents happen more frequently than people know. Children are especially at risk of suffering from a swimming pool accident or accidental drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidental drowning ranks as the fifth leading cause of unintentional death in the nation.
Our Philadelphia swimming pool injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm explain more about common swimming pool injuries and remedies available for swimming pool accident injury victims. If you or your loved one has was in a swimming pool accident, call our law offices immediately at (215) 709-6940 today.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Injuries
Swimming pool accident injuries can happen for numerous reasons. Swimming pools are often made of hard concrete, which does little to protect from injuries. Additionally, any time a body of water is involved, there is always a risk of drowning and other injuries. Some of the leading causes of swimming pool accidents are discussed below.
Slips and Falls
Slip and fall accidents can easily happen in a swimming pool area. A smooth surface combined with water can increase the risk of a slip and fall accident. A slip and fall injury can lead to severe consequences depending on the injured area. For instance, a person who falls on their back could easily injure the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can be dangerous since a person could end up paraplegic, or worse. Dealing with SCI can be emotionally and physically devastating and costly to treat.
Electrocution
Swimming pools built using many materials and elements. Among the items that make a swimming pool functional, electricity is one of the most important for powering pumps, lights, and filters. However, power is one of a pool’s most dangerous and life-threatening components. Therefore, pool construction must follow strict regulations for placement and use of electricity in swimming pools. Construction defects ignoring these rules could put people in danger of electrocution injuries. For instance, if the lighting components placed inside a swimming pool contact the water, it could seriously injure or kill an innocent swimmer.
Failure to Warn
Proper signs are of utmost importance in a swimming pool area. Warning signs such as water depth signs, “no diving” signs, and “wet floor” signs, among others, can help prevent accidents. Unfortunately, there are instances where signs are not allocated adequately around the swimming pool area, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Pool Filter Injuries
Unaware swimmers can get trapped on a swimming pool’s draining system. Swimmers can get stuck on an uncovered, damaged, or broken pool’s drainage system. The law requires all swimming pools to have their drainage and filtration systems covered to prevent accidents. Unfortunately, despite these laws, suction and pool filter accidents could still happen.
Common Swimming Pool Injuries
Swimming pool accidents can cause severe injuries, especially to vulnerable people like small children and older adults. Some of the most common injuries people can sustain from a swimming pool accident include, but are not limited to the following:
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most severe and dangerous injuries a person can sustain. TBI occurs when a person receives a substantial hit in the head. If people dive into a no diving zone area of the pool, they could quickly hit the bottom of the pool. Memory loss and disorientation are also symptoms associated with TBI. Treatment for a brain injury can be costly and take a long recovery time depending on the severity of the injury.
Accidental Drowning
Accidental drowning is one of the leading causes of death in swimming pools, especially among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2005 and 2014 there were more than 3,500 unintentional drownings. The CDC also stated that children ages 14 and younger are especially at risk from suffering an accidental drowning.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are common in slip and fall accidents. Falling and injuring your back can cause serious health issues. For instance, you could damage your spinal cord which could lead to severe consequences such as paraplegia. Back injuries are among the most painful and debilitating injuries a person can sustain. Recovery time for a back injury can be extensive, and medical treatment can be expensive.
Filing a Lawsuit for Injuries that Occur at a Pool in Pennsylvania
Swimming pool accidents are dangerous and require immediate action, especially if the accident occurred due to another person’s negligence. Our knowledgeable Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm may help you obtain compensation for your injuries. If you injured your head, back or any other body part during a swimming pool accident, you have no time to waste. Schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers. Call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
