Are you a pool owner who’s finding that your backyard is even more popular as a neighborhood hot spot this summer? With all the public pool closures in Virginia due to Coronavirus restrictions, homeowners like you may be having a few more guests coming over to take a dip and cool off from the hot summer heat.

But did you know that swimming pool accidents that take place on your property can make you legally responsible for damages? Here are some safety tips to keep in mind this summer if you are having guests over in your backyard swimming pool. And if you or someone in your family was injured in a swimming pool, here’s how our law firm can help.

Common Swimming Pool Accidents

It’s likely that when you think of a swimming pool accident, you immediately think of drowning.  In the Commonwealth of  Virginia, drowning is the fifth leading cause of accidental injury and death. And for young children, drowning is the leading cause of accidental injury and death.

However, there are other types of injuries one can sustain from a swimming pool accident. These include:

  • Slip and fall injuries on pool decks.
  • Head and neck injuries, such as a concussion or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from slipping and falling, swimming into pool walls, or diving in shallow water.
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis, from diving in shallow water.
  • Brain damage caused by near-drowning incidents.
  • Getting entrapped in swimming pool drains.
  • Developing a water-borne illness and/or infection.
  • Getting a chemical burn.

As you can see, there are several types of injuries that can occur at your pool. And as a Northern Virginia pool owner, the Commonwealth expects you to properly maintain your pool, fence it in from uninvited guests, and supervise anyone using your pool. If you fail to do so and someone gets hurt, you might be held liable for their injury or death.

Northern Virginia Swimming Pool Owner Safety Tips

If you’re a pool owner, here are some swimming pool safety tips you need to follow:

  • Always supervise anyone using your pool. Never let anyone use your swimming pool when you aren’t home in the backyard watching them.
  • Limit your guests’ alcohol consumption. If someone has had too much to drink, it isn’t safe for them to be in your pool.
  • Properly maintain your pool, including its electrical, plumbing, and filtration systems. If something is malfunctioning, don’t let anyone in your pool until it’s fixed by a professional.
  • Repair or remove any defective pool accessories, like diving boards or slides.
  • Immediately fix any defective aspects of your swimming pool fence, like gates or locks, to prevent uninvited guests from entering your pool.
  • Make sure your water depths are marked and easy to read.
  • Always have proper and functioning emergency and safety equipment easily accessible at your pool.
  • Don’t allow too many people in your pool; pool overcrowding can increase your risks for a swimming pool accident.
  • Don’t allow glass around your swimming pool.

How We Can Help If You or a Loved One is Injured in a Swimming Pool Accident

If you or a loved one is injured in a swimming pool accident, you need to seek immediate medical attention. Once you’ve been released by your doctor, call our law firm to explain what happened.

We will listen to your story, perform an investigation, and speak with swimming pool experts. Based on the details of your case, we may be able to file a personal injury claim so you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses and compensated for your pain and suffering.

For swimming pool accident help, call us today at (703) 813-6460 or fill out our online contact form.