Palm Beach Gardens Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer
By some accounts, Florida has over 1 million residential swimming pools. Add that to the number of pools in public places, and it is clear that residents and tourists alike view swimming as a key to enjoying the Sunshine State. At the same time, the number of pools in places like Palm Beach County alone create significant risks of accidental injury or death.
If you or your child have been harmed in a swimming pool accident, the person or company owning the pool may be legally responsible for your medical bills and other losses. The Palm Beach Gardens swimming pool accident lawyers at Steinberg Law can review your case and explain your options for seeking compensation under the law.
Understanding a Florida Pool Owner’s Responsibility
Private homeowners, commercial property owners, and public authorities all have certain legal duties when it comes to maintaining swimming pools on their premises. This includes having barriers around swimming pools that are tall enough and secure enough to prevent a child from entering without supervision, basic safety equipment in the pool itself, and in the case of commercial and public pools, an emergency phone no more than 75 feet from the pool. Some localities, such as Palm Beach County, may also impose more stringent pool safety standards than is otherwise mandated by state law.
A pool owner’s failure to follow required safety standards can be considered negligence in the event of an accident that results in someone’s death or injury. Some common examples of negligence leading to swimming pool accidents include:
- Drowning and Near-Drowning — Drowning is the most common type of fatal swimming pool accident in Florida, particularly with respect to children. Even a near-drowning can result in serious brain damage and other long-term health problems. Certain public swimming pools must employ qualified lifeguards to help prevent such drowning and near-drowning accidents.
- Slip and Falls — Pool owners can be liable for slip and fall accidents that occur on wet surfaces around a pool. Owners should take certain steps, such as installing non-skid surfaces near the pool and ensuring proper drainage, to minimize the risk of such accidents.
- Entrapment — An often overlooked safety hazard in swimming pools is its drainage system. Young children are at an especially high risk of getting entrapped in a pool drain that lacks a functioning drain cover.
- Chemical Exposure — Cleaning products used in swimming pools often contain powerful chemicals, notably chlorine, that are harmful and may cause injury to pool users if not handled properly.
Contact Steinberg Law Today
Damages in a swimming pool accident are often significant and can include financial compensation for the victim’s medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. And in the case of a fatal swimming pool accident, the victim’s estate may recover compensation for the family’s loss of their loved one. So if you have recently suffered such an injury or loss and need legal advice from a skilled Palm Beach Gardens swimming pool accident lawyer, contact Steinberg Law today to schedule a consultation.
