In the Las Vegas heat, many seek personal and private pools to unwind and enjoy time with friends and family. A poorly maintained area and negligent pool owner or management can make a relaxing experience a nightmare. Contacting a Las Vegas swimming pool accident lawyer may be able to help.
The idea of a ‘minor’ pool injury is not common. Unfortunately, if you are injured in the water, you are typically looking at a lifetime disability or death, except for the occasional slip-and-fall accident. If you are injured in a swimming accident, one of our experienced H&P Las Vegas personal injury lawyer lawyers can help you fight for your due compensation.
Swimming Pool Accidents
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the most common causes of accidental drowning are:
- Poor Swimming Skills
- Lacking Barriers
- Lack of Supervision
- Drugs and Alcohol
Most drownings in the United States are, unfortunately, preventable. There are around 4,000 accidental drownings each year, and most of them are children. Further, accidental drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children 0-4. Many of these are entirely preventable situations, either by having proper safety equipment or providing adequate supervision to children and not using drugs and alcohol.
If your case concerns a child, you may talk with our swimming pool accident lawyer in Las Vegas to determine if it is relevant. In the context of a drowning incident, this would mean that the property owner may be held responsible if there were not reasonable precautions, like gates around the pool, to stop a child from being injured.
Injuries in a Private or Public Swimming Pool Accident
There are a variety of injuries sustained in pool accidents, ranging from chemical injuries to spinal cord injuries.
- Drowning
- Electrocution
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Spinal Injury
- Slip and fall
- Skull Fracture
Many of these injuries result from improperly labeled or improperly maintained pools, which would be the property owner’s responsibility.
Private Pool vs. Public Pool
Las Vegas private pool owners must follow the Southern Nevada Amendments, which provide guidelines for properly maintaining a pool. For example, a private pool must have a fence surrounding it to control access to the pool, and the gate entering the pool should also be able to lock.
Public pools operate according to state statutes. Under Chapter 444—Sanitation, under “Public Swimming Pools and Bathhouses; Nudist Colonies,” there are detailed policies regarding maintenance, health inspections, reporting health issues, and the competency of lifeguards on duty. Regardless if you were injured at a private home pool or a public pool, there are ways an attorney can help you identify the at-fault party and work towards the compensation of your injuries.
Poor Water Quality and Safety Hazards
Poorly maintained water, whether in a private or public pool, can result in chemical injuries. In addition, if wiring for lighting and pumps is not maintained correctly, it can result in electrocution. Pool water is kept clean by a delicate balance of chemicals, and if those are not appropriately balanced, they can cause significant chemical burns.
Important Steps Following a Pool Accident
After a pool injury, the first step is to ensure that the victim receives medical care for any apparent injuries and evaluation to determine any that might not be immediately obvious. Many times, after an accident, the presence of adrenaline will prevent you from feeling injuries that are there until hours or days later. This is why it is important to be evaluated even if you don’t think you are hurt.
Documentation can be the best resource you have in building your case. It can be helpful to take pictures of the area and any injuries and check if any cameras may have gotten video footage of the accident. Witness statements may also help identify any problems with the facility that were noticed ahead of time.
The next important thing is to ensure that you are not posting on social media or talking about the accident to others before speaking with a swimming pool accident attorney in Las Vegas. It may also be advised not to sign any release or accept a settlement offer from an insurance company before speaking with your attorney.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention
After an injury, you may not be aware of the extent of your injury. To prevent the exacerbation of any undetected injuries, it is essential to acquire medical care immediately. Additionally, refusing medical care initially can lead the opposing team to argue that your injuries may not be as severe as they are because you did not initially feel you needed care.
How Your Attorney May Help
When you retain a swimming pool accident attorney, you are retaining their years of experience practicing law and handling cases similar to yours. When looking for an attorney, you must find one you feel comfortable with to be honest about all the details. In this situation, there is no surprise worse than the opposing parties having information that your attorney does not have.
When talking about the value of our attorney’s years of experience, we are referring to their knowledge of the local laws and regulations that may make stronger arguments for a higher maximum compensation than you would otherwise receive. This may also decrease your perceived liability in a settlement and increase that of the other party, again increasing your maximum compensation.
Finally, an experienced attorney with H&P Law can navigate negotiations and communication with insurance adjusters, manage settlement negotiations, and, if it comes to it, represent you in court. Because our team is knowledgeable in our practice areas, we can refer you to appropriate specialists to get the most accurate evaluations to build your case. Having one of our lawyers on your side can decrease the time you have to spend researching, negotiating, and navigating the process, leaving you to heal and recover.
Reach Out to Consult with a Las Vegas Swimming Pool Accident Attorney Today
Sustaining a significant injury or caring for a loved one with a substantial injury can create considerable stress in your life. Retaining a Las Vegas swimming pool accident attorney can help take some of that burden off of you, allowing you time to focus on your emotional well-being and health. You deserve someone in your corner fighting for your rights to maximum compensation.
Contact us today for a free case consultation. We can provide services in Spanish. Don’t delay the support you deserve.
