Brain Injuries Can Occur in Swimming Pool Accidents

In the Florida heat, many people head to the swimming pool on a regular basis to stay cool and have some fun. While a day in the sun should be nothing but enjoyable, many individuals unfortunately suffer injuries in swimming pool accidents. As reported¹ by the United States government’s pool safety agency, over 5,000 people suffer injury or die in swimming pool accidents or spas on an annual basis. Injuries from swimming pool accidents can range from minor bruises to fatal drownings. One common injury that victims of swimming pool accidents sustain is a brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury from direct head trauma

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can result when a person experiences trauma to the head and the brain tissue suffers damage. TBIs can range from minor concussions to severe traumas that result in extensive loss of consciousness, hospitalization, permanent disabilities, and more. Some reasons that swimming pool patrons and visitors suffer brain injuries are as follows:

Slipping or tripping and falling while outside of the pool
Diving in too-shallow water and hitting their head on bottom of the pool
Having slippery surfaces inside the pool that cause swimmers to slip and hit their head on the side or edge of the pool.

Anoxic brain injury

An anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen for a period of time and suffers damage as a result. This type of injury is common in near-drowning accidents and can cause serious symptoms for victims for possibly the rest of their lives. Some symptoms include cognitive issues, memory loss, visual disturbances, headaches, trouble with movement and coordination, weakness, and mush more.

Many swimming pool accidents are caused by negligence

Though some brain injuries suffered around swimming pools are simply accidents. Other times, however, swimming pool accidents happen because a pool owner was negligent. Pool owners have the responsibility under the law to keep the pool and surrounding areas in a condition that will keep visitors reasonably safe. When pool owners are negligent and allow dangerous conditions to exist, they can be held liable for all resulting injuries and losses under the principles of premises liability law.² Some examples of negligence can commonly lead to swimming pool accidents include:

Failing to have an adequate barrier around the pool to prevent unsupervised children from wandering into the pool area and falling in.
Failing to have a locking or self-latching gate as the entrance to the pool area with a handle that is out of the reach of small children.
Not keeping the pool deck in good condition and free from objects or debris that may cause individuals to trip and fall.
Having slippery surfaces surrounding the pool that may cause slip and falls.
Having rough or otherwise painful surfaces inside the pool that prevent swimmers from being able to put their feet down or grab onto the side of the pool.
Not having drain covers in pools or hot tubs that are in full compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.³
Not posting proper warning signs or depth markers.
Failing to properly maintain diving boards or other pool equipment.
Violating any other federal or Florida pool safety regulation.

These are only some examples of ways that a swimming pool owner can be negligent that can lead to TBI and other serious pool-related injuries.

Contact an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer in Clearwater for a free consultation

If you or your child suffered a TBI because of a dangerous condition at a swimming pool, the experienced traumatic brain injury attorney from the Dolman Law Group in Clearwater, Florida can help you hold the negligent pool owner liable for all of your losses. We understand that a brain injury can have a significant impact on your life and believe you should always receive the maximum amount of compensation that is possible in your case. Consultations are free with no obligation, so please do not delay in calling our law firm at 727-451-6900 for quality and caring assistance today.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900

References:

¹http://www.poolsafely.gov/drowning-deaths-injuries/
²http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premises_liability
³http://www.poolsafely.gov/pool-spa-safety-act/read/