What to Do after Your Child Was Injured in a Friend’s Pool

Swimming pools are a great way to beat the Florida heat, but they can be dangerous, especially for inexperienced swimmers. Young children are particularly prone to swimming pool accidents since they may not be strong enough to keep themselves above water for long periods. Slick decks and chemicals also pose a risk to swimmers and people lounging by the pool.

If you’ve been hurt at a pool, you might not feel comfortable bringing forth a personal injury claim depending on the setting. If you were hurt on a friend’s property, you might be hesitant to take legal action, but medical bills can quickly add up. It’s not fair for you to cover accident expenses when your child’s injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence. If this is the case, reach out to an experienced South Florida swimming pool accident attorney today.

Types of Swimming Pool Accidents in Florida

There are many types of injuries your child may sustain when swimming at a friend’s pool.  However, drowning is the most prevalent. According to the Pool Safety Foundation, hospitals treat more than 5,000 toddlers yearly for drowning. Other injuries your child might sustain include:

• Near drowning happens when the victim drowns but dies from their injuries 24 hours after being submerged.
• Pool toy entrapment occurs when an inflatable pool tool traps a swimmer underwater. This can cause drowning or result in water in a child’s lungs.
• Diving or diving boards can result in a head injury if the water is too shallow or the board malfunctions.
• Slick pool decks can result in a slip and fall accident, resulting in broken bones, bruises, or head injuries.
• Electrical defects combined with water can electrocute swimmers.
• Pools need strong chemicals to balance the pool water and keep guests safe. However, using too many chemicals may result in

Do Pool Owners Have a Duty of Care to Swimmers?

Pool owners have a reasonable duty of care to keep the people who use their pools safe. For example, owners need to use the right amount of chemicals to keep their water at an appropriate chemical level. If they use more chemicals than required, you may be able to file a claim against them.

The Florida Residential Pool Safety Act requires all owners with a pool to have at least a four-foot-tall fence or other barriers with no gaps to prevent people from getting in. Additionally, fence entry must open outward and be self-closing, with a self-locking latch that a child cannot reach. If a pool owner does not have a fence or barrier, they may be liable if a child injures themself, even without permission to be in the water.

However, if another party caused your child’s injuries, and the owner did everything they could to create a safe environment, the other individual might be responsible for any damages.

What to Do When Your Child Sustains a Pool Injury

If your child is injured and you’re there, call emergency services, if necessary. If not, drive them to the doctor’s office. As safe as we want to keep our children, we may not be there, especially if they’re at a close friend’s house. When this happens, take them to their physician and try to learn more about the injury.

By not seeking medical treatment, you risk an insurance company denying or reducing your claim. They’ll likely argue that their injuries are not as severe as you claim since you did not consult with a doctor.

Contact a Skilled Swimming Pool Accident Today

As soon as possible, contact a South Florida attorney today. Attorney Robert Baker of the Baker Legal Team can help determine what happened and whether the pool owner is liable for damages under premises liability laws. You only have four years to file a personal injury claim in Florida, so don’t delay.

When you partner with the Baker Legal Team, you can be confident we will keep your best interests in mind throughout your claim. Call (561) 560-5961 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.