The first official day of summer is June 21st—but many people would agree that the first real day of summer is the day the local swimming pool opens. School is out and teenagers and families alike gather at the pool to enjoy warm days in the sun and water.
While swimming pools are fun and relaxing, they pose certain inherent dangers. Every summer, people throughout Connecticut sustain injuries at swimming pools. It is especially important to be aware of hazards when you bring children to the pool.
Common Injuries at a Swimming Pool
- Slip and fall - everyone knows "no running around the pool" and there’s good reason for it. Decking around a pool is often wet and slippery, such that running or even walking quickly can result in a slip and fall. The hard surface of the decking—coupled with the chances of falling into the pool itself—creates an extra hazard. Additionally, it's important to remember to walk with care in the locker rooms and other areas, as people track water into these areas and the tile is often wet and slick. Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, including broken bones, sprains, neck injuries, and concussions.
- Drowning - Drowning is an obvious hazard at the swimming pool. Some pools will have a lifeguard on duty, but even then, it's possible to miss a drowning accident. Drownings often happen suddenly and silently, especially with other noise and distractions occurring in the pool area. They may also occur when a child or other inexperienced swimmer enters the pool alone. Safety enclosures, including enclosures that prevent children from within the house from entering the pool unattended, are critical for this reason. Alarms around a pool area and on doors and gates that access the pool may also prevent accidents. Lastly, it is important to ensure that pool drains have proper safety covers and cannot trap a swimmer underwater.
- Injuries on the diving board - The diving board is an all too common location for pool injuries. The diving board can be slippery, especially when the user runs the length of it and tries to bounce at the very end for height. All too often, swimmers slip, hit the diving board with another body part such as their head, and then fall in the water.
Contact a Connecticut Personal Injury Attorney Today
When you or one of your children has been injured while visiting a swimming pool, the situation can be challenging. While your primary concern should obviously be your and your child’s safety and obtaining proper medical attention for injuries, your legal rights also matter. The lawyers at Leighton, Katz & Drapeau are proud to serve clients in the state of Connecticut, and we are ready to help protect your rights to recover compensation in the event of a swimming pool accident. Allow us to help navigate your case while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today online or call us at 860-875-7000 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Connecticut.
