Swimming Pool Injury Statistics

Swimming pool accidents are common in Las Vegas and across the country. Pool use is frequent in Las Vegas due to the state’s constant triple-digit temperatures.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data published by the American National Red Cross:

• Drowning. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause for children ages 5-14 after car accidents.
• Non-fatal injuries. Twice as many people experience non-fatal drownings, averaging 22 non-fatal incidents a day.
• Hospitalization. More than half of drowning victims who survive require hospitalization, rehabilitation, or long-term care due to severe brain damage.

Additionally, statistics reveal that the most dangerous locations vary by age group. Children under 1 year old face a higher risk of drowning at home. For those under 5, 87% of drowning incidents occur in home pools or hot tubs, with most tragedies happening in pools owned by family, friends, or relatives.

In Las Vegas, pool-related injuries are prevalent during the summer when residents and tourists flock to the city’s many public and private swimming pools. These injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe, life-threatening conditions like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and drowning.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for My Swimming Pool Accident?

In swimming pool accident cases, liability can rest with multiple parties depending on the circumstances of the accident. Your lawyer will look into the case details to help determine who is responsible. This is necessary for pursuing a successful personal injury claim. Parties involved that may be held liable include:

Owner of the Swimming Pool

The most straightforward party to hold responsible for a swimming pool accident is the pool’s owner, whether a private homeowner, a hotel, or a public facility. In Nevada, property owners have to keep their premises safe as part of their legal responsibilities. If a pool owner fails to address potential hazards—such as broken equipment, slippery surfaces, or lack of proper fencing—they may be held liable under premises liability laws.

Additionally, pool owners are responsible for ensuring that children are kept safe by implementing appropriate safety measures. These include installing barriers and securing access to the pool area.

Supervisor of the Swimming Pool

Sometimes, liability for a swimming pool accident may fall on individuals or organizations tasked with supervising the pool. For instance, public or hotel pools often have lifeguards or pool managers responsible for ensuring that swimmers are safe. A failure to properly supervise swimmers, enforce safety rules, or respond to an emergency can result in severe injuries or drownings. The negligent supervisor or their employer may be held accountable in such cases.

Manufacturers of Pool Equipment

Swimming pools rely on various pieces of equipment to function safely, including drains, filters, pumps, ladders, and diving boards. If any of this equipment is defective or improperly maintained, it can lead to accidents for visitors and workers.

For example, a faulty drain cover can cause entrapment injuries, while malfunctioning pool lights or electrical systems can result in electrocution. In such instances, liability under product liability laws may fall on either the pool’s owner or the defective product manufacturer.

Common Swimming Accident Injuries

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that pool hazards lead to numerous injuries and fatalities annually across the United States. Some of these injuries can have long-lasting or permanent effects on the victim’s quality of life. Common injuries in swimming pool accidents are:

• Drowning and near-drowning Injuries. Near-drowning accidents can cause severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen, often leading to long-term cognitive or physical disabilities.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A slip and fall on wet surfaces around a pool can result in head trauma, leading to concussions or more serious TBIs.
• Spinal cord injuries. Diving into shallow water or being pushed into a pool can cause devastating spinal cord injuries, resulting in paralysis or permanent disability.
• Broken bones. Slips, falls, and collisions in or around the pool can lead to fractures or dislocations.
• Lacerations and abrasions. Defective or poorly maintained pool equipment can cause deep cuts, requiring stitches or other medical intervention.
• Electrocution injuries. Faulty electrical systems or underwater lights can create deadly hazards in swimming pools, leading to electrocution injuries.
• Infections. Improperly maintained swimming pools can become breeding grounds for illnesses and infections. For instance, inadequate chlorination and filtration may allow bacteria and viruses to thrive, resulting in eye irritation, gastrointestinal diseases, ear infections, and skin rashes.

Each of these injuries leads to significant distress, such as emotional pain. A swimming pool accident lawyer will analyze how the pool accident injury impacted your life to help you seek compensation for damages.

Swimming Pool Hazards

Swimming pool hazards are often the direct cause of accidents and injuries. Some common hazards that contribute to swimming pool accidents include:

• Slippery surfaces. Wet surfaces around the pool can lead to dangerous slip-and-fall accidents, especially when improperly maintained or marked.
• Lack of barriers. Fencing and gates are essential to prevent unsupervised children from accessing the pool. Insufficient barriers can result in accidental drownings.
• Faulty pool drains. Pool drains with powerful suction can entrap swimmers, particularly children, and lead to serious injuries or death.
• Inadequate depth markings. If a pool’s depth is not marked, swimmers may unknowingly dive into shallow areas, resulting in severe head or spinal injuries.
• Malfunctioning pool lights or electrical systems. Defective electrical wiring or underwater lighting can cause electrocution, especially when water becomes exposed to live electricity.
• Chemical imbalances. Improperly maintained pool chemicals can cause burns, respiratory issues, and other injuries to swimmers.

By identifying and addressing these hazards, pool owners can greatly reduce the risk of accidents. If they don’t, they might be on the hook for any injuries that happen.

How Long Do I Have to File a Swimming Pool Accident Lawsuit in Las Vegas?

The Nevada statute of limitations for swimming pool accident lawsuits is two years from the accident date. So, if you or a loved one has been hurt in a swimming pool accident, make sure to file your lawsuit within this timeframe, or you risk losing your right to seek compensation.

However, certain circumstances may alter the statute of limitations, such as cases involving minors or claims against government entities. Also, discovering an injury may change the deadline so that the clock begins to tick after the injury is fully found. It’s advisable to check with an attorney to make sure your claim is filed on time.

How Much Is My Swimming Pool Accident Worth?

It is impossible to pinpoint a figure as the value of a swimming pool accident claim. This is because no one case resembles another, and the value of your case depends on the unique facts surrounding it. The worth of your claim largely depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial losses, and the degree of negligence involved. In general, your swimming pool accident compensation involves compensation for:

• Medical expenses. This includes emergency care, hospitalization, rehabilitation, surgeries, and ongoing medical treatment costs.
• Lost earnings. If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income, both past and future.
• Pain and suffering. Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life may also be included in your claim.
• Permanent disability or disfigurement. If the accident results in long-term disability or scarring, additional compensation may be awarded.
• Wrongful death. In tragic cases where a loved one dies due to a swimming pool accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and other related losses.

A Las Vegas swimming pool accident lawyer from Cloward Trial Lawyers will carefully evaluate the details of your case to determine its full value and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

“We believe until you can walk a mile in your client’s shoes, you will never understand their story. As such, we try hard to get to know our clients to better appreciate the human side of their story.”

Contact Benjamin today

Benjamin P. Cloward