Swimming Pool Accident Attorney in Pittsburgh

Getting seriously hurt or losing a child in a swimming pool accident can be devastating and heartbreaking. In addition to the emotional and physical pain, victims and their families could also face financial difficulties. 

What you need to know about swimming pool accidents in Pittsburgh is that you could hold a careless pool owner, management, or employee responsible for your damages in certain circumstances. You could recover compensation such as loss of wages, healthcare costs, pain and suffering, and others. 

Morgan & Morgan’s experienced and compassionate swimming pool accident lawyers can advise you of your legal rights and fight for what you and your family deserve. Contact us today to find out if you have a case and could be entitled to compensation.

Types of Swimming Pool Accidents in Pittsburgh

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is a leading cause of child deaths in the United States. The agency states that children between the ages of one and four have the highest drowning rates, with most drownings occurring in swimming pools. Nine children drowned in pool accidents in 2016 in Pennsylvania, according to Pool Safely. 

However, drowning is not the only danger in swimming pools in Pittsburgh. Potential accidents can include:

Near Drowning

Near drownings can have devastating consequences. Individuals deprived of oxygen during a near-drowning event could incur lasting brain damage, permanent vegetative state, pneumonia, and other complications.  Someone who has nearly drowned could be unresponsive or show symptoms such as:

• Blue tint to the skin
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Cough and chest pain
• Vomiting

Diving Board Injuries 

Diving from a defective diving board can, in the worst case, result in severe head injuries and lifelong paralysis. If the board was improperly installed or defective, adults and children could get seriously hurt due to no fault of their own. Injured victims could have a case against the swimming pool, installation company, or manufacturer of the diving board. 

Slip and Fall

Slips and falls are almost par for the course at swimming pools, especially for excited and playful children. However, if a severe fall is the result of a dangerous condition at the swimming pool, such as a particularly slippery surface, cracks in the flooring, or cluttered walkways, you could have a case and sue the owner or manager of the pool for damages. 

Swimming Pool Slide Accidents 

Swimming pool slides can be the cause of devastating injuries. Accidents can be caused by defective slides or improper supervision and crowding. A swimming pool owner, employee, and slide manufacturer could be held liable in a swimming pool slide accident. 

Pump and Drain Defects

Commercial pool pumps or filters can have a powerful suction force. Small children could potentially get pinned to a drain on the pool floor, causing drowning or near-drowning events. 

Lack of Adequate Sanitation

When chlorine levels in pools are insufficient, harmful bacteria and viruses tend to thrive. E. coli, giardia, and other harmful germs can spread in pools that lack adequate sanitation procedures. Individuals subjected to these pathogens could develop symptoms such as:

• Diarrhea
• Weight loss
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach cramps

Small children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk from suffering the long-term effects of harmful germs.

Electrical defects

Malfunctioning electrical systems can cause fatal electrocution accidents in swimming pools. Electricity and water do not mix well at all. Swimming pool owners must take care that their electrical equipment is regularly checked and safe. Faulty electrical wiring to pumps, lights, or outlets can all lead to electrocution incidents with potentially life-threatening injuries. 

Common Swimming Pool Injuries

Some swimming pool accidents result in more than a few cuts and bruises and can have devastating consequences for victims, with long-term impacts on their career and home life. Swimming pool injuries can include:

• Head injuries
• Ankle and wrist injuries 
• Broken limbs
• Sprains and strains
• Cuts and lacerations
• Spinal cord damage and paralysis
• Infections 

Unfortunately, victims may never recover fully. If you or a loved one sustained serious injuries in a pool accident, consider consulting with an attorney to determine if another party could be held liable for your injury. 

Do You Have a Case? 

Public and private swimming pool owners must comply with Pennsylvania law and could be held legally responsible for an accident such as a near-drowning if they fail to provide a safe environment. You could potentially hold a pool owner liable for your damages if they acted negligently, which includes accidents arising from:

• Poor pool supervision
• Improper drainage
• Lack of signage
• Hazardous conditions
• Lack of fencing and barriers
• Defective equipment

If you got injured due to an unsafe condition in pools, restrooms, or anywhere else on the property, you could have a case. A swimming pool accident lawyer from our firm can assess your accident and determine whether you could sue the responsible party.

Proving Your Case

Depending on your accident’s circumstances, you could potentially hold a pool owner, an employee of a public pool, or even a third party such as another pool visitor responsible for your damages. To have a case, your attorney will aim to prove the following four elements of a personal injury lawsuit

1. The defendant owed you a duty of care
2. The defendant breached the duty by either negligence or deliberate conduct
3. The breach caused your accident and injury
4. You have damages such as medical bills

Compensation You Could Receive

Swimming pool owners or operators could be responsible for compensating victims for their injuries and financial damages, including damages such as: 

• Present and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and future lost wages
• Physical anguish
• Emotional suffering
• Reduction of life quality
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement

It is important to note that every swimming pool accident is unique. Therefore, victims could be entitled to additional or different types of compensation to those listed.

Your Next Best Steps After a Pittsburgh Swimming Pool Accident

Perhaps the most important thing you need to know about swimming pool accidents in Pittsburgh is how to protect your rights when you or your child get hurt. 

Seek Medical Help Promptly 

Seeking medical advice as soon as possible after a pool accident is crucial. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, may not present with obvious symptoms for days. A doctor can diagnose and treat any problems immediately. Receiving a medical report listing your injuries can also help you seek damages from the liable party. 

Report the Accident as Soon as You Can

Make sure to ask swimming pool staff for an accident report. Employees may try to convince you that this is not necessary, but a report can be a vital piece of evidence later on. Make sure you provide as much detail about the incident as possible and insist on taking a copy with you for your records. 

Gather Evidence for Your Case and Damages 

Start collecting evidence of the accident immediately, if possible. Take photographs of the accident site and make comprehensive notes about what happened. Ensure to ask any eyewitnesses for their contact details. 

In a lawsuit, you will also have to prove your damages, for example, medical bills and wage losses. You will most likely require evidence such as:

• Medical bills and reports of your injuries 
• Receipts for expenses in connection with the injury
• Payslips when claiming lost wages

Get in Touch with a Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

Suing a swimming pool owner can be tricky as you might have to stand up against a powerful company with its own teams of lawyers ready to fight negligence claims vigorously. Therefore, one of the best ways to protect your rights can be getting experienced legal representation on your side. In the first instance, you can schedule a free consultation with a swimming pool accident lawyer to learn about your rights and options. 

Morgan & Morgan’s swimming pool accident lawyers are committed to helping injured individuals get their lives and health back on track. We offer free, no-obligation case reviews to determine whether you have a case and could pursue damages.