Boston Swimming Pool Injury Lawyers
Understanding Swimming Pool Liability in Boston, MA
In Boston, swimming pool accidents are often governed by premises liability laws, which require property owners to maintain their pools in a reasonably safe condition. If a pool owner fails to meet these obligations, they may be held liable for injuries that occur as a result. Massachusetts law sets safety standards that include fencing requirements, proper signage, and emergency equipment. At Crowe & Harris, LLP, we have a thorough understanding of these regulations, allowing us to provide informed advice and representation to our clients.
Swimming can be an excellent source of both entertainment and exercise. However, when swimming pools are not properly maintained or monitored, swimming pool injuries can become a dangerous problem. Unfortunately, numerous swimming pool injuries occur each year in Massachusetts, often because a property owner was negligent or reckless in some way. However, our swimming pool injury attorney in Boston can help injury victims both better understand if they have a legal case against a property owner, and also how to take action to seek financial compensation if they do have a case.
Contact our Boston swimming pool injury attorneys by calling (617) 404-3417 today!
Most Common Swimming Pool Injury Cases
There are, of course, numerous ways that a swimming pool injury can occur, but some injuries and accidents seem to occur more often than others.
For example, four of the most common swimming pool injury cases include:
Drowning
Thousands of families suffer a loss each year due to a loved one drowning. While many of these cases are accidental, some are due to a negligent party. After losing a loved one to drowning, families must grieve and emotionally recover from their loss. In cases of near drownings, the victim is often unable to make a full recovery because of the brain damage associated with the accident. Burdensome medical fees often accompany brain injuries resulting from drowning incidents.
Some examples of negligence that can lead to drowning include the following:
- Lack of a lifeguard or lack of properly trained lifeguards
- Negligent operation of a pool or waterway
- Using physical force to drown someone
- Faulty flotation devices
- Unmaintained swimming areas
- Boating accidents
- Not adhering to swimming pool regulations
If you believe any of the above circumstances caused the drowning of your loved one, please contact a swimming pool injury lawyer in Boston because your family may be entitled to compensation.
Diving Board Injuries
Diving boards can cause serious injuries when they are improperly installed, poorly maintained, used in unsafe conditions, or placed over water that is too shallow. Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe pool areas and provide proper warnings about hazards.
Under premises liability law, public pool operators and private property owners may be held responsible if unsafe diving board conditions lead to injuries.
Common diving board injuries include, but are not limited to:
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck injury
- Mild to traumatic brain injury
- Paralysis
Particularly, there is a significant danger in diving into a pool that is not deep enough to sustain a head-first dive. While many safety recommendations warn swimmers that diving is unsafe at certain depths, the depth of many public and private pools does not exceed six feet.
These incidents happen all over Massachusetts and can leave victims with injuries as well as costs for treatment. An experienced personal injury attorney may be able to help victims pursue compensation if a property owner is found to have been negligent in maintaining or monitoring a swimming pool.
Slip & Falls
Pool areas can become dangerous when surfaces are wet, slippery, uneven, or poorly maintained.
Slip and fall accidents may happen on:
- Pool decks
- Locker rooms
- Stairs or walkways
These accidents can happen due to hazards such as standing water, inadequate drainage, broken surfaces, or a lack of proper warning signs. In turn, falls can result in serious injuries, including fractures, head injuries, back injuries, and other long-term harm.
When property owners and pool operators fail to correct dangerous conditions or provide adequate warnings, they may be held responsible for injuries caused by a pool-related slip and fall.
Drain Entrapment
Drain entrapment accidents can occur when swimmers become trapped by the suction force of a pool drain or filtration system. These incidents can be especially dangerous for children and inexperienced swimmers, potentially causing serious injuries or preventing a person from reaching the surface.
Properly maintained pool equipment, secure drain covers, and compliance with safety standards are important to preventing these accidents.
Regulations for Public Swimming Pools
Both state governments and the federal government have set requirements and safety standards to which public pools are legally required to adhere. Unfortunately, many public pools lack the oversight or funds to make changes required to help keep the pool safe.
Some of the regulations put in place by the government include the following:
- Drain cover installation to prevent deaths due to high suction
- Fencing around the pool with a locked gate to prevent people from falling in
- Proper signage displayed around the pool
If you feel that your loved one was a victim of drowning or near drowning because of a faulty pool, spa, or hot tub, you may be eligible for compensation.
Contact a Swimming Pool Injuries Lawyer in Boston
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a swimming pool accident, the Boston swimming pool injury lawyer of Crowe & Harris, LLP want to hear your story.
Contact our Boston swimming pool accident lawyers today by calling (617) 404-3417, and learn more about how we can help you through this difficult time.
