Spending the day at the pool can be a great way to relax with the family or even exercise during the hot summer months, but it is important to keep in mind that swimming in pools comes with a risk of injury. Keep these common causes of swimming pool injuries in mind this summer in order to prevent them from occurring, and don’t be afraid to contact a personal injury lawyer in the case of negligence or an intentional act caused by a swimming pool injury. At Woods & Thompson, P.A. in Minneapolis, we have the expertise to get you the compensation you deserve.
Obey the Pool Rules
If you are at a community swimming pool, a hotel, or another business-owned pool, make sure that you read the pool rules and always abide by them. If an injury does occur, some pool owners will argue that the injury is not their fault and that the victim failed to follow the posted warnings. While this may be true in some cases, the pool owners still need to make sure that their properties don’t pose any serious risks to lawful visitors.
Know Your Ability Level
Before making your way to the deep end, make sure you have the proper ability to handle swimming in an area where you are unable to touch the ground. Drowning is one of the most common swimming injuries, as even short-term deprivation of oxygen can result in injuries or even death. The best way to prevent this is to stay in water that is shallow enough for you to navigate safely and remain where your feet are able to touch the bottom of the pool if you aren’t a seasoned swimmer.
Supervise Children at All Times
Keeping a close eye on children in or near swimming pools is an absolute must. Even children who are a bit older and are better swimmers can sustain serious pool injuries from slipping and falling or making the mistake of jumping into shallow water.
Have you or someone you know experienced a pool injury due to negligence? Give our personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis a call today to discuss your options.
Avoid Diving Into Shallow Water
Unless you are a seasoned diver and know the depth you need, avoid diving into the pool. Diving headfirst into the water can be incredibly dangerous and can easily cause a TBI (traumatic brain injury). Taking this type of blow to the head can also cause a swimmer to become unconscious, leaving them to likely drown if there is nobody nearby.
Avoid Pool Drains
Surprisingly enough, the drains at the bottom of swimming pools have a lot of suction, meaning that everyone, especially small children, should avoid swimming near them. If these drains catch onto the fabric of swimwear or a child’s foot, it could cause them to get stuck and result in serious injuries or death. In rare cases, pool drains even run the risk of causing disembowelment.
By following these tips, you and your family will be much safer and much more likely to enjoy your pool experience. However, some swimming pool injuries are unavoidable, and while many of these injuries are no one’s fault, some accidents can be the result of another person’s negligence. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Woods & Thompson, P.A. in Minneapolis today to help with determining the liability, gather evidence, and help you secure compensation for pain, suffering, and medical expenses.