Few things are as inviting as a pool filled with cool water on a hot summer day. However, fun and enjoyment can quickly turn tragic when swimming pool accidents happen. Minor to severe injury and even fatalities by drowning can result from diving accidents, unsupervised children, or slip and falls.

When these types of accidents occur, the pool or property owner may be held liable under a premises liability lawsuit.

Under premises liability law, a pool owner has the responsibility to provide protection to people that enter their property and those that use the pool.

Public Pools

A public or community pool is considered public property, but anyone who enters the pool area or uses the pool is considered an invited guest. Pool owners or those that manage the pool and property have a responsibility to fix and repair any part of the pool that is damaged, and to maintain a safe environment.

Most public and community pools have numerous rules and regulations, publicly posted for all to familiarize themselves with.

Homeowners and Private Pools

Homeowners that invite guests to their property may be liable for injuries and damages if they fail to keep the pool in good repair or warn guests of any imminent hazards.

There are a number of things that homeowners can do to provide a safe swimming experience for everyone:

• Establish rules for your pool. Make certain that everyone knows the rules of your pool, such as no running, no diving, no horseplay, and so on. If they do not follow those rules, asking them to leave may cause hurt feelings, but can help avoid an injury.
• Supervise all children. You or another designated adult should be present and alert at all times, especially to keep children safe. It is wise to make certain that any inexperienced swimmers use appropriate safety equipment.
• Make sure the pool area is secured. It is important to keep the pool area fenced in, and to ensure that any gates are locked when the pool is not in use. This will prevent people from using the pool when you or a designated person are not present. Furthermore, pools should be covered when not in use.
• Clearly mark which is the deep end and which is the shallow end. Many people are injured and even permanently disabled when they dive into the shallow end of a pool and hit their head on the bottom.
• Keep the water clean. Maintaining a proper chemical balance will lessen the risks of unpleasant injuries resulting from overexposure, such as rashes and ear aches or other illnesses.
• Get approved First-Aid and CPR training. While it is important to do all that you can to prevent accidents, you should be prepared to respond to any accidents that occur.
• Make certain everyone in the home can swim. Having a pool can be a lot of fun, but it is also a responsibility. Knowing how to swim will help to prevent drowning, should someone fall into a pool accidentally.

Philadelphia Premises Liability Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Help Clients Injured in Pool Accidents Claim Compensation

If you have been injured in a swimming pool accident and have questions, please give call the experienced Philadelphia premises liability lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP for a free consultation. Call us at 800-222-8792 or contact us online today. Our offices are in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania to serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.