Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
For many, summer is the best time of the year to play, go on vacation, or just soak in a pool or spa without any reason. However, though cooling and relaxing, don’t forget to exercise caution while hanging out by the pool. In the unfortunate event that you are injured in a pool or spa accident, you should call an Atlanta personal injury attorney today.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings take place every year in the United States. This means that about 11 people drown and die every day. In addition to death by drowning, two non-fatal swimming pool accidents also occur for every death every day – and it doesn’t matter if you cool off in a residential or community pool, spa or hot tub, or a local water park.
While some risks are unavoidable, many are preventable with appropriate safety measures. And the best way to avoid these injuries the next time you dive into the pool is by being aware of them.
Four most devastating pool and spa injuries
Here are the common types of devastating pool and spa injuries and how to prevent them:
Drowning
Young children face the highest risks of drowning or nearly drowning. Sadly, the injuries usually occur due to insufficient supervision, lack of warnings, lack of safety equipment, and overcrowded pools. You can prevent these injuries by never swimming alone, ensuring children have supervision and teaching them what to do in emergencies.
Diving injuries
Diving injuries like traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often occur when people jump head first into the pool or spa. As TBI can be severe and life-threatening, seeking medical evaluation is a must for diving accident victims. Proper supervision and warnings regarding the depth of the pool can go a long way in preventing diving injuries.
Slips, trips, and falls
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere wet, and there’s nothing wetter than swimming pools and spas! In addition to wet surfaces, there’s also the risk of tripping on improperly stored pool equipment.
The party responsible for the pool must adopt measures to reduce the chances of slips and falls. Examples are proper illumination at night, security features like fencing, gates, and lifeguards, discouraging running around the pool, and eliminating tripping hazards.
Dangerous products
Defective products like pool cleaning equipment, jets, drains, and pool toys can injure swimmers or increase the risk of drowning. It’s the product manufacturers’ legal obligation to ensure their products are safe for consumers. As they must also post adequate warnings about potential risks, they are liable if their defective products inflict harm.
In many cases, pool or spa injury victims can hold the at-fault party accountable for consequential damages, injuries, and losses. The right personal injury attorney in Georgia can help you take action to receive the rightful financial compensation you are entitled to.
Call Us Today to Speak with an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a pool, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. At Slappey & Sadd, we will review your case for free and let you know whether we believe you are entitled to compensation. To schedule your consultation, call our office today or contact us online.