Using a swimming pool is an excellent way to exercise and stay cool. Public and personal swimming pools are common across California – but so are pool accidents. In cases where negligence has played a part in a pool accident or injury, an experienced and highly skilled Orange County swimming pool accident lawyer at Bisnar Chase might be able to help.
Tragic swimming pool deaths and injuries can occur in backyard pools, hotels, schools, country clubs, water parks, and any other locations with pools. If a pool has unsafe conditions or the swimmers are not adequately supervised, the pool-goers will be at risk. Common pool incidents such as drownings, near-drownings, slips, and diving accidents can have severe and life-threatening effects.
The Best Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys Near You in Orange County
Turning to a personal injury lawyer in Orange County might be the best path to justice when a person suffers an injury or death due to a pool incident. You can trust our team at Bisnar Chase to fight for your rights and maximize your compensation.
- We have a 99% success rate.
- More than $900 million recovered for our clients.
- In business since 1978, with decades of experience.
- Offering a free consultation – no win no fee.
If you are injured in a pool accident, you should contact an injury lawyer who specializes in pool accidents. We can answer any questions you might have, from the statute of limitations in a pool accident case to the potential value of your claim.
Our expert injury attorneys offer a free consultation with no obligations. Call (949) 203-3814 to speak to one of our intake experts today. You can also send us an email or use our 24/7 website live chat. We are here to help.
Legal Resources for Swimming Pool Accidents in Orange County
What Are My Legal Options If I Am Injured In a Swimming Pool?
If you are injured in or around a swimming pool in Orange County and your accident was caused by the negligence of another person or party, our team is here to help.
As the victim, you will be the plaintiff in any legal proceedings. You have the right to claim damages for the injuries caused by the accident, as well as any associated impacts. The plaintiff can claim compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other factors.
Compensation For a Swimming Pool Accident in Orange County
The legal process will depend on a number of factors, including where the accident happened, who is to blame and how they were responsible, and the severity of any injuries sustained.
For example, if an accident occurs at a private pool in someone’s backyard, the victim might make a claim against the owner’s insurance policy. If an accident occurs in a government-run public pool, a lawsuit could be filed against the government entity. It all depends on the circumstances of the case.
Your compensation will also depend on the impact the accident has had on you. Common factors include:
- Medical expenses.
- Lost wages.
- Projected future treatment and medical costs.
- Loss of ability to work in your chosen profession.
- Impacted quality of life.
A settlement is determined by the type and severity of injury that resulted from the accident, and your attorney will be able to determine a fair target dollar amount.
If you, your child, or another loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident or near-drowning incident, either on another person’s property or on someone else’s watch, you must understand your legal rights and options.
You can maximize your compensation by working with the best swimming pool accident lawyers in your area.
Contact Bisnar Chase now for expert help. We offer a free consultation with no obligations. Our Orange County premises liability lawyers will be able to assess your case and provide you with the guidance you need to make an informed decision on your next step.
Call (949) 203-3814 for immediate help from one of our experienced Orange County swimming pool accident attorneys.
Types of Swimming Pool Accidents in Orange County
The leading causes of a swimming pool accident are:
- when someone does not pay attention to the water depth and steps on the sides
- when someone has a medical emergency such as a seizure or faints and falls into the water
- Drownings: Swimming pool drownings are unfortunately far too common. Drowning deaths occur when people cannot breathe because they are submerged in water. This can happen for many reasons, including a victim being unable to swim or too tired to do so.
- Near-drownings: This refers to people who suffer the effects of drowning but survive the experience. Near-drowning victims sometimes suffer permanent effects, such as catastrophic brain damage due to oxygen deprivation.
- Slip-and-fall accidents: Pool injuries can occur, even if you are not in the water. Pool water is easily splashed over the surrounding ground, making it wet and slippery. This can easily lead to a slip accident.
- Chemical issues: Swimming pools have to use chemicals in the water to keep it clean and safe to swim in. However, they can also be dangerous. Pool water must contain the right amount of chemicals and be appropriately filtered. If not, injuries can occur.
- Diving accidents: Swimming pool diving accidents are a significant cause of serious injuries. The key causes of these injuries are people diving into water that is not deep enough. An injury may also be caused by faulty equipment, such as a diving board. Diving accidents can cause severe issues such as spinal cord injuries.
The Signs of Drowning
Drowning incidents are hard to prevent because the signs of drowning can be undetectable. Someone who is about to drown is not always loud and distressed. Sometimes, a victim may simply have his or her head low in the water.
A person drowning may not look like it does on TV when the victim flails and calls for help before going underwater. It may simply look like someone slowly sinking without much struggle. This is because a real drowning victim will tire and gasp for breath.
Signs of drowning include:
- Silence, with a look of panic on their face.
- Treading water with head tilted back.
- Scrambling to keep hold of a float, pool wall, or pool line.
- Floating face down.
Other swimming pool drowning accidents occur when someone tripped and fell into a pool. This is why pool owners must keep walkways clear of debris.
Individuals who strike their head on the ground before falling into a pool are in particular danger of drowning if they are not immediately pulled from the water. They may have lost consciousness and be unable to pull themselves up.
Anyone who sees someone drowning should try to help without putting themselves in danger. They should:
- Throw a flotation device to the person or swim out to them if it is safe.
- Call emergency services.
- Perform CPR.
If you have witnessed or been involved in a drowning accident, get in touch with our team for guidance on the merits of your case and what you should do next.
Swimming Pool Accident Statistics
These are some of the most alarming swimming pool statistics, including information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as other safety watchdogs:
- There was an average of 3,900 fatal unintentional drowning incidents that were not boat-related every year. That means that about 10 people drown in the United States every day.
- About one-fifth of the fatally-injured victims were children below the age of 15, and for every child who dies from drowning, another five require emergency care.
- Statistics indicate that more than 3,000 youngsters require emergency hospital care for drowning-related injuries every year.
- According to statistics compiled by the Orange County Fire Authority, officials got 74 drowning calls in one year. Of those calls, 35 resulted in fatalities, and in many other cases, victims suffered irreversible brain damage.
- In one year alone, California had the third-highest rate of children aged under 15 drowning in pools and spas (behind Florida and Texas).
- Pool drowning is the single most common cause of death for children under the age of 14 in California.
Who is Liable in a CA. Swimming Pool Accident Cases?
Who is responsible for a pool accident in California? It can vary from case to case, depending on the circumstances. When a pool incident leads to an injury or wrongful death, the blame can lie with a number of different parties.
The owner or manager of a swimming pool. In many cases, pool accidents are a result of premises liability. This means that the person in charge of the pool is at fault, whether it is a personal, public, or government-run swimming pool.
At-fault parties could include homeowners with a pool in their yard, as well as operators of public pool facilities or owners of hotels, motels, gyms, and more. However, an owner is not always at fault for an accident happening at their pool. Some factors that could contribute to a pool accident claim include:
- The owner may have failed to employ staff or lifeguards to supervise swimmers.
- Subpar maintenance leads to dangerous pool conditions.
- A lack of warning signs – for instance, indicating pool depth.
Employees. Even if the pool owner did everything right, their employees might be negligent. It is their responsibility to ensure the safety of pool users. The negligent staff could include lifeguards who do not pay attention, or a school teacher supervising a swim class.
Construction or maintenance teams. It is important that swimming pools are constructed properly and inspected according to safety guidelines. If not, crews could be held liable for resulting accidents.
Manufacturers. Accidents can happen at swimming pools as a result of faulty parts. For instance, a poorly constructed water slide or diving board could lead to injury – and a legal claim. If anyone is hurt in or around a pool, they should seek an experienced swimming pool accident lawyer in Orange County who can guide them in taking legal action.
What Should You Do If You Have Been Involved in a Pool Accident?
If you, or someone you know, has been hurt in a swimming pool accident in Orange County, there are a few steps you should take. These steps will boost your claim if you hire a swimming pool accident attorney to help you take legal action.
- Seek medical attention.
Whether you have been injured in a pool slip-and-fall, or a near-drowning incident, make sure you get the appropriate medical attention. - Document the accident.
When it is safe to do so, you should form a clear picture of the events.
– Write a first-hand account of the accident and how it came about.
– Talk to witnesses, and take down their contact details. Ask them for statements on what happened if possible.
– Take pictures of the scene, including any potential causes of the accident. - Preserve any evidence relating to the incident.
If your pool injury was caused by a piece of faulty equipment, such as a dangerous diving board, make sure you keep it. - Assemble and organize your evidence.
This should include anything relating to your pool accident. Request a copy of your police report, if police were involved. Obtain copies of related medical paperwork, including:
– Medical records and treatments due to the pool incident.
– Proof of doctor’s appointments and physio treatments.
– Proof of bills and expenses.
– You should also assemble your photos of the scene and your injuries, as well as your eye-witness statements, and proof of lost wages if you have had to miss work.
The most important step you can take is to contact an Orange County swimming pool accident lawyer. If a family is grieving a pool drowning death, or a person is struggling with the injuries they sustained in a swimming pool, it can be tough to turn your mind to legal proceedings. But this is an important step.
A high-quality swimming pool injury lawyer can provide the support you need during this difficult time. Make sure you only discuss your case with the opposing insurance firm when your attorney is with you.
Swimming Pool Accident Prevention in Orange County
There are steps that swimmers and pool owners can take to prevent swimming pool accidents. These include:
- Taking swimming lessons. It is essential for people of all ages to be able to swim in a swimming pool safely.
- Post signs indicating whether a lifeguard is on duty. This is a legal requirement in Orange County.
- Have appropriate safety gear on hand, such as a life ring.
- Make sure there is fencing around pools (in accordance with the law).
- Have a lifeguard on duty at peak times.
- Property owners can install door alarms near home pools to prevent young children from falling in accidentally.
Top-Rated Orange County Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers Near You
If you have lost a loved one or been injured in a swimming pool accident involving negligence, contact Bisnar Chase. Our team of personal injury attorneys takes pride in offering superior representation.
Our top-rated swimming pool accident lawyers take on cases from Newport Beach, Santa Ana, Huntington Beach, Anaheim, Irvine, and all other cities across Orange County.
Bisnar Chase has earned its outstanding reputation over 45 years in business. Our firm has collected more than $900 million for our clients, with a 99% success rate.
Above all, our lawyers care. We are passionate about building trusting attorney-client relationships and ensuring that our clients get the justice they deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with our top-rated experts now. Click here for contact options, use our website’s live chat, or call (949) 203-3814 now. An expert Orange County swimming pool accident attorney is standing by to win the justice and compensation you deserve.
Brian Chase
Articles and blogs have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $900M for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
Serving California Since 1978
Bisnar Chase is a top-rated personal injury law firm with a national reputation. The firm has been in business since 1978 and has represented thousands of clients. Based in Newport Beach and with offices across California, Bisnar Chase has recovered nearly $1 billion in settlements and verdicts, emphasizing superior client representation above all.
