Florida is known for its warm weather and outdoor activities throughout the year. Many people have pools in their homes or communities. While many owners and overseers are vigilant about proper safety practices when it comes to a pool, there is still a large number of injuries and drowning incidents. While some happen as a matter of circumstance, others are due to a negligent property owner. Premises liability can lay the foundation for filing a case to receive compensation after a pool accident.
While it might not seem like a common way in which people die, approximately 10 people die every day because of a drowning accident. Out of those 10, 20 percent will be 14-years-old or younger. It is the fifth ranked reason for unintentional death in the U.S. Between 2005 and 2009, an average of 3,533 non-boating fatalities happened each years in the U.S. When counting boat-related accidents, another 347 died. The statistics indicate that 80 percent of those who die from drowning are male. The highest rates of children dying are between 1-year-old and 4-years-old. Drowning is the second most frequent cause of death for young people between the ages of 1 and 14 next to motor vehicle crashes.
There are numerous reasons for a drowning. These include a lack of ability to swim, an absence of barriers around a pool, a lack of supervision, whether there is a pool or area with a body of water nearby, the failure to adhere to safety procedures like a life jacket, alcohol and medical problems such as seizures. If the pool is in a private home and there aren’t barriers around it, it can lead to those who are vulnerable to be placed in a dangerous situation by willingly or accidentally going into the pool. If there isn’t proper supervision around to make certain that the pool area is safe, accidents can happen.
When there is an injury or a death due to an accident at a pool, those who have been hurt will have a great deal to think about. With injuries from a water accident, the victim could need long-term medical care. If there is a fatality, the family left behind will want to have the option of seeking compensation through litigation. Contacting a legal professional can provide assistance in a premises liability case.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Unintentional Drawing: Get the Facts, accessed on Apr. 6, 2015
