Los Angeles Swimming Pool Injury Attorney

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 10 drowning deaths every day across the country. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that nearly 5,000 people per year suffer other swimming pool injuries. About 73% of those injuries involve children under the age of five.

Swimming Pool Accident Lawsuits are Permitted
If a serious injury or a drowning death is caused as a result of careless and negligent supervision at a swimming pool, our swimming pool injury lawyer advises that California law allows the injured victim or the family of the drowning victim to file a personal injury lawsuit. Typically, a swimming pool accident attorney would bring a negligence case against the owner or occupier of the private home or public facility.

Lifeguard Issues
We ordinarily see lifeguards in any public swimming pool setting. Under state law, they must be properly trained and certified. Although members of the general public are under no duty to help somebody in distress, lifeguards do have a duty to act. They must be attentive and alert, and they must be able to recognize signs of distress that swimmers might experience in the water. As per our personal injury lawyer Los Angeles, here are a few scenarios when lifeguard liability might be triggered:

Unqualified Lifeguards: These might include poorly trained and uncertified lifeguards who aren’t strong swimmers and don’t know how to properly administer CPR, first aid or use it at the proper time.

Abandonment and Distraction: A lifeguard who walks away from his or her post with no substitute or remains at their post texting or otherwise being distracted might not be able to save a person from a drowning accident.
Drowsiness or Fatigue: Sitting in the elements all day can make even a physically fit and active person tired. Lifeguards have been known to be inattentive or even doze off from fatigue caused by the elements.

Failure to Use Training: A lifeguard might be indecisive, unable to remember his or her training or even freeze in an emergency. Continued training and education are of critical importance for lifeguards.

Under the law of vicarious liability in California, a qualified Los Angeles swimming pool injury attorney can have the owners and operators of swimming pools held liable for injuries and deaths that result from the negligence of their lifeguards. If you suffered a severe swimming pool injury or lost a loved one in a drowning accident, contact our office right away for a free consultation and case review. You might be eligible for compensation.