Swimming pools are a mainstay in the Chula Vista area. They add value to your property and offer a welcome escape from the sometimes oppressive heat. Unfortunately, these property features also pose dangers, especially to young children.
Unless you are a parent, you likely do not spend much time thinking about how you can be injured by a swimming pool. But in reality, pools pose a serious risk of injury and drowning, especially if not properly contained. According to data from the CDC, drowning is the fifth leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the United States. Each day, an estimated 10 people drown—and 2 of these are children aged 14 and younger.
Drowning is not always fatal, but it often leads to lifelong consequences. Over half of drowning victims that were treated in an emergency department required hospitalization or other forms of further care (like rehabilitation). Drowning injuries can result in severe brain damage, which can lead to lifelong difficulties with learning, memory, socialization, and motor skills. Swimming pool accidents can result in more than drowning; pool-goers can slip and fall on concrete or dive into shallow water, causing brain or spinal cord injuries. When a pool is not properly guarded or maintained, the injury becomes more likely.
The Chula Vista law offices of Howard Kitay are experienced in helping injury victims and their loved ones secure settlements that help pay for medical bills and final expenses and begin the healing process. While we know that no amount of money can ease the loss of a family member or take away the pain of a debilitating injury, a claim can provide you with the means to move forward. Our swimming pool accident attorneys are committed to helping Chula Vista residents by providing sound legal advice.
Who Is Liable for My Chula Vista Swimming Pool Accident?
Liability is often a confusing term, but determining who is at fault for your swimming pool accident varies greatly depending on the nature of your situation. In pursuing these cases, we generally look at both premises liability and product liability. In premises liability (also known as slip and fall liability), an owner must exercise reasonable care to ensure no one can be injured on the property. This extends to trespassers. For example, a swimming pool must be properly fenced in a yard, and a cover should be in place for prolonged periods of lack of use.
Product liability refers to an inherent flaw in the design, manufacture, distribution, or installation of the pool itself. The party who manufactures or sells you a pool is required to disclose any potential dangers and provide an appropriate amount of care to you as a buyer. In either case, if a party fails to take proper precautions, fails to disclose information, or skips steps in the installation process, it is guilty of negligence. Negligence refers to a failure to perform in a way that another reasonable person would have in a similar circumstance, and demonstrating this is essential to winning a personal injury claim.
Chula Vista Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one are struggling to pay medical bills, rehabilitation costs, or final expenses, you need the assistance of an experienced law firm. The attorneys at Howard Kitay are impassioned advocates for the Chula Vista community. A fair settlement from your swimming pool accident will help you pay off bills, make up for lost wages from missed work, and alleviate any suffering you and your loved one may have incurred. If you think you are eligible to pursue damages from your swimming pool accident, contact us for a free initial consultation. You only pay if we win, so schedule yours today.