Portland Swimming Pool Accident Attorney
What are Your Legal Options after a Swimming Pool Accident?
In the state of Oregon, all property owners who possess a swimming pool are responsible for ensuring that their visitors are kept reasonably safe when in or around its vicinity. This includes residential homeowners, managers of public pools, the owners of a hotel, etc.
Although they are only responsible for maintaining a reasonably safe environment—which means that they cannot be held accountable for accidents caused by the victim’s own negligence or carelessness—they must take steps to remedy any hazardous conditions that arise, conduct routine maintenance, and post sufficient warning signs. Should they fail to do so, they may be liable for providing any victims with compensation through a premises liability lawsuit.
Examining the Potential Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents
Since it is a property owner’s responsibility to ensure a safe environment for their visitors, there is no telling how dangerous a swimming pool, and the areas around it, can be if they fail to uphold their duty of care. Not only could it leave the victim susceptible to a serious slip and fall, but it could even put them at risk of being involved in a near-drowning or drowning accident—which may subsequently lead to permanent brain damage or death.
Some of the most common circumstances out of which these incidents arise include:
- Inadequate warning signs posted within the vicinity of the pool
- Failure to construct a fence around the pool and/or use a protective covering
- Insufficient number of lifeguards present at a public pool
- Lack of supervision while children are playing in or around the pool
- Failure to clear away debris that has covered walking areas around the pool
- Lack of regular pool cleanings (to the point that the water is murky or dark)
How common are drowning & near-drowning accidents in the U.S.?
You may be surprised to learn that approximately ten people die in drowning accidents every day—which does not account for the 5,000 others who are hospitalized each year with near-drowning injuries. What’s even worse, however, is that a substantial number of these victims are small children. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four.
Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional death for those between the ages of one and fourteen. Now, you may be wondering how so many victims are injured or killed under such devastating circumstances each year. Well, it still remains that most drowning accidents occur in residential swimming pools, which means that help is usually just around the corner.
Pursuing Compensation for Your Injuries in Portland, OR
If you or your child has been injured on someone else’s property, you should not hesitate to find out if you are entitled to compensation. This can be done by speaking with a Portland swimming pool accident attorney from the Law Offices of Timothy Grabe during a free initial consultation. We can offer advice about your case at no cost when you call at 971-645-7176. Our only goal is to ensure that you are fairly compensated for the harm that you have suffered, so you can rest assured that we will explore every available option when you trust in us to represent your claim.
To get started, all you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call! You can also reach us online by submitting a case evaluation form directly from our website.
