Getting Ready for Swimming Pool Season? A Few Things to Know Before Pool Season. . . .

As we approach Memorial Day, many thoughts turn to our favorite summer activities. Playing in the pool and lounging by the pool are extremely popular among children and adults. However, when improper attention is paid to the people in the pool or to the pool itself, serious accidents or tragedy can occur.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2005-2014, an average of 3,536 deaths by drowning each year occurred. Often those injured are young children who are still learning how to swim. A pool which has poorly trained staff, dangerous equipment, or not well-maintained conditions can lead to serious injury. From 2000-2014, over 27,000 illnesses due to time spent in supposedly “clean” water were reported.

Some of the most common injuries that occur at the pool are:

• Drowning: The second leading cause of death in children age 0-4 in Maryland and third leading cause for those aged 5-14. It can occur when lifeguards are negligent in their duty toward your children.
• Fall: Unsafe conditions can lead to a fall from the diving board or side of the pool. Such accidents can result in broken limbs and possibly Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). See a doctor if you experience a blow the head, regardless of the cause.
• Infection or sickness: Don’t swallow the water. Pools can be inundated with germs and bacteria that make you sick. If you or a friend experiences an illness due to a pool, you are likely not the only one. Other people who were at the same pool may be at risk.

The attorneys at Regan Zambri & Long have extensive experience with swimming pool related injuries, even securing a $5,000,000 settlement for a 14 year old who sustained a traumatic brain injury from a diving board accident. If you or someone you know has been injured around the pool, our attorneys may be able to help find out if someone should be held responsible.