Pools are a great way to exercise and have fun. But if you are not careful, you could find yourself facing a lawsuit if someone gets hurt at your backyard pool.
Summer may be over for most of the country, but here in Southern California and Arizona, we still have great weather — and the opportunity to use our pools! If you’re lucky enough to have a pool at your home, you can likely enjoy your pool for at least several more weeks (if not longer!). But having a pool means a lot of work — and responsibility. As personal injury attorneys, we see our fair share of pool-related injuries. Read on to learn how you can make your pool safer and prevent anyone from getting hurt at your home pool.
Basic Pool Safety
Residents of California and Arizona should know that if they have a pool in their yard, they may be liable for any accidents that result. Before homeowners open their backyard pools, they should take steps to protect their guests from injury as well as themselves from liability.
Many lawsuits are based on the concept of negligence. This is a standard that requires you to express the same level of care an ordinary person in a similar situation would express. When it comes to pools, because of the inherent danger, you must show a high level of care when it comes to backyard pool use at any time of year. The question of pool safety is even more important when you have kids or when children come to use your pool. It is absolutely necessary to take steps to ensure that every single element of your pool is in proper working order.
First, you should protect yourself and prevent accidents by installing a fence around your pool. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that homeowners install at least four feet of fencing to enclose the pool area. This helps prevent curious children from falling into your pool. Your homeowner’s insurance may also require you to fence your pool area. Next, the CPSC recommends self-closing gates. If you have an above ground pool, remove all steps and ladders when it is not in use. This will help prevent anyone who is not allowed to be in your pool from getting into it. In addition, you should install pool covers and make sure that all drain covers are properly functioning.
Beyond these tips to prevent pool accidents from people or kids using it when they are not supposed to, pool maintenance can help prevent illness and injury. Make sure that you use the proper chemicals at the right levels to prevent bacterial contamination that can cause illness. Install a non-slip surface around the pool area to prevent accidents from people running on wet pool surfaces. Slip and fall accidents at pools can result in severe injury or even death. Homeowners are responsible for maintaining a pool area that is safe for adults and children alike. If they do not meet this obligation, a homeowner might be held liable for any injuries that result. Injured victims might be able to file a lawsuit for medical bills, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation costs associated with a pool accident. Finally, learn CPR and keep a close eye on any children playing in or around your pool to prevent accidents.
If you follow these steps, you can reduce the likelihood that anyone will be hurt at your pool. However, accidents do still happen, and may result in serious injury or even death. If you or someone you love has been hurt at a pool, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you recover from your losses. Contact the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to learn more about how we can help anyone who has been hurt at a pool.
