What to do After a Swimming Pool Drowning or Near-Drowning Accident

Summer is here, which means a lot more time spent in the great outdoors. Access to a swimming pool provides a chance to get exercise, have fun, and cool down. If you’ve got children, though, a swimming pool can be dangerous. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists accidental drowning as the top cause of death for children between one and four years of age, and it only takes a few minutes for tragedy to occur. Of course, while young kids are at the highest risk of drowning, it can happen to anyone, at any age.

If you’re visiting a public pool, you are probably relying on the facility’s operators to make it a safe place to swim. However, public and semi-public pool inspections often find some violation. Maybe the chemicals are imbalanced, or the fencing or gates are inadequate. Sometimes, there aren’t enough lifeguards to provide fast enough action to save someone struggling in the water.

Of course, many people, both children, and adults swim in private pools. While the owners are obligated to make sure those pools are safe, there aren’t regular inspections like there are with public pools. Owners of private pools are responsible for making sure the pool is secured and inaccessible when they’re not present. Children should never swim alone, and young children should not be allowed near a pool without adult supervision. With above-ground pools, the ladder should be removed when the pool is not being used.

Drowning and near-drowning are terrifying events, so it’s essential to take safety precautions to prevent them from occurring. During a swim party, a responsible adult must always watch the pool. Oversee small children, because kids can easily wander near a pool and fall in accidentally. Make sure your children know how to swim, and if you own a pool, have an adequate fence and locking gate. Learn CPR in case the unthinkable happens, and have a plan in place to reach emergency help as soon as possible.

Sometimes, pool accidents happen because the pool owner or operator was negligent. If proper care was not taken, and this resulted in a drowning or near-drowning event, you may be entitled to compensation. Talk to the attorneys at the Law Firm of Kevin Paul Childers without delay.

Since 1990, the Law Firm of Kevin Paul Childers has been committed to providing the legal guidance you need. We pay close attention to each case, giving one-on-one treatment to each of our clients because every case is unique. Our lawyers are among the best in Virginia, and we’ll put our more than 100 years of collective experience to work for you. We work hard to achieve the best possible results for every client we represent, so contact us for a free case analysis or call (703) 636-2182 today.