Homeowner’s Liability for Swimming Pool Accidents: What You Need to Know

What Is Homeowner’s Liability?

Homeowner’s liability is the regulated legal concept known as premises liability, in which a homeowner may be held responsible for damages incurred due to injuries sustained on their properties. This set of laws states that the owner of a property has a legal duty toward those who visit their property. The duty of care requires the homeowner to make sure that their property is safe from foreseeable dangers.

Failure to ensure safe conditions may be considered negligence, and an individual injured on another persona’s property as a result of a preventable accident may file a claim for compensation against the property owner.

In The Article

Summer Injuries You May Be Held Liable for as a Homeowner

Some summer injuries that homeowners may be held liable for may include:

• Slip-and-fall accidents due to uneven or slippery surfaces or inadequate lightning
• Accidents due to defective conditions on the premises such as roof fall accidents
• Dog bites
• Swimming pool accidents and unintentional drowning
• Fall accidents due to broken stairs or railings

Common Home Pool Accidents Homeowners May Be Liable For

A quick swim in your backyard pool can be both relaxing and refreshing, especially during hot days of New Mexico summer when temperatures outside creep up to the low 90s or even triple digits. Still, without proper supervision and adequate safety measures, a summer swim in the backyard pool can quickly take a tragic turn.

According to The World Health Organization, “There are around 300,00 annual drowning deaths worldwide.” However, while some such accidents may happen in a public swimming pool or an open body of water, the probability of drowning in a publicly protected swimming area is relatively low.

Instead, many of the most tragic swimming accidents take place in residential swimming pools which often lack the needed control, safety measures, and protection. For example, American Red Cross statistics on drownings show that in the case of children younger than 5, 87 percent of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs. Many of these mishaps take place in pools owned by family, friends, or relatives.

Here are some of the most common examples of pool-related accidents:

• Slip-and-fall accidents near the pool
• Non-fatal drowning
• Electrocution
• Infections
• Diving injuries including broken bones, back injuries, spinal cord injuries or head injuries

Without proper supervision and adequate safety measures, a summer swim in the backyard pool can quickly take a tragic turn.

How to Reduce Risk of Swimming Pool Accidents

Despite the risks mentioned above, there is much that homeowners can do to ensure safe conditions for pool usage. Here are some practical steps to take to prevent accidents while still allowing for enjoyment and fun:

1. Never leave the children in the pool without supervision
2. Secure the pool with a 4-feet high fence or a barrier with a self-closing and self-latching gate
3. Place a safety cover on the pool when no one is using it
4. Install pool alarm to ensure small children don’t enter the pool unsupervised
5. Install non-slip surfaces around the pool and make sure there is no residual water that could create slippery conditions

Of course, some pool accidents may be inevitable. Still, by taking all the reasonable and necessary measures to prevent accidents, a homeowner can make sure that all individuals who find themselves on his or her property will feel safe and stay out of harm’s way.

How Ron Bell Can Help Swimming Pool Injury Victims

If you were injured at a friend’s house, you may not want to hold them liable for the losses you incurred. However, most homeowner’s insurance policies have coverage for pool disasters, and it’s important to ensure that you get the help you need to recover. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Ron Bell Injury Lawyers know that this can be a difficult conversation to have, but we also know how to talk to insurance companies to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Call us today for a free case evaluation. 898-BELL