Swimming Pool Accidents Lawyer
Orlando is a hub for homes with swimming pools. Whether you live in a single-family home, apartment building, townhome or mobile home park, there is plenty of access to pools. While cooling off in a swimming pool is wonderful, there are serious dangers and risks for children and others when pools are not kept safe. If you have lost a loved one or sustained an injury due to an unsafe pool, you may need a swimming pool accidents lawyer. Our team at Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law in Orlando is here to help you with your swimming pool injury claim.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, an average of 11 fatal and 22 non-fatal drownings occur every day in the U.S. This is especially concerning for children – drowning is the second most common cause of death in children ages 1-4, only behind birth defects. Swimming pools are enticing areas for kids, especially when there are water toys and other colorful items near the pool. If a pool is not kept safe and secure, preventable swimming pool accidents can occur that cause serious injuries or death.
Swimming Pool Liability Laws
Both commercial and residential pools come with liability for the property owner. While landowners are not responsible for all swimming pool injuries, they are expected to provide a safe experience for their guests. There are expected risks with swimming pools, included wet, slippery areas around the pool and drowning risks for those who cannot swim. Adults should recognize these risks and a property owner may not be liable for a slip and fall injury for someone who was running on the pool deck. However, there are liability laws in Florida that property and pool owners need to follow to keep visitors to their property safe.
Swimming pool owners are expected to keep their pool area safe to avoid accidents and injury. If a broken railing on the ladder or a malfunctioning drain cover causes injury, the property owner can be liable for injuries. For commercial pools, there is a higher standard of safety expected. If visitors to their HOA community pool or motel pool are injured due to poor safety protocols, the business or organization may be liable.
A swimming pool is considered an “attractive nuisance,” which means it is expected that they may attract attention. This means that pool owners need to secure their pool from children who may be attracted to the area. A separate pool enclosure is required in Florida to prevent kids from wandering into a pool area. Property owners can be held liable for accidental drownings in their pool. It is also a misdemeanor under Florida Statutes 515.27 for residential pool owners to not have the proper safety enclosures installed around the pool.
Swimming Pool Injuries
There are a wide variety of injuries that occur due to swimming pool accidents. Poorly maintained swimming pools can result in slips and falls that cause concussions, broken bones and other injuries. There are serious infections that can occur from unsafe pool water – some bacteria and organisms that can live in pool water are deadly. Pool drains can cause serious or fatal injuries to children if they do not have a safety cover. Drowning – both fatal and nonfatal – are the most concerning injuries, resulting in death, brain damage or other health complications.
If you live in the Orlando area and need a swimming pool accident/drowning lawsuit lawyer, come see us at Ligori & Ligori Attorneys at Law. We offer free, no-obligation legal consultations to discuss your case. We never require upfront payment if we take your case – and only are paid if we obtain a financial victory for you. Contact our office today to speak to one of our legal team members.