NYC Swimming Pool Drowning and Other Accidents: Your Legal Options
Swimming pools are a great source of recreation, especially as the summer months come with increasing heat. While swimming pools can be a lot of fun for families, they also are a source of risk. Swimming accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. Many families do not have personal swimming pools, so accidents frequently occur at public pools.
Victims of NYC swimming pool drownings or other accidents should consider their legal options. Premises liability attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P.C. in Brooklyn, NY, investigate swimming accidents to determine fault and assist victims in pursuing appropriate compensation for accident losses.
Losses Related to Pool Drownings and Accidents
Swimming pool accidents can result in serious, life-threatening, or fatal injuries. The physical damages of a swimming pool accident are only one aspect of loss. Accident victims usually experience emotional and financial losses, which may include:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of ongoing therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Diminished wage-earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
When a swimming pool accident is fatal, surviving loved ones may experience further losses, such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost source of income or benefits
- Loss of consortium (companionship)
Can I File a Lawsuit?
When another person or party’s negligence causes a swimming pool drowning or accident, they should be held liable for resulting economic and non-economic losses. Victims of swimming pool accidents on another person’s property can pursue compensation through a premises liability lawsuit.
Premises liability laws hold property owners responsible for maintaining safe premises for guests and visitors. When there is a swimming pool on the property, owners must keep swimming pools in safe condition. They must also ensure safety measures are in place to minimize the risk of a drowning or accident.
Examples of property owner neglect that may be grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit after a swimming pool accident include:
- Failure to fence or enclose the swimming pool
- Lack of handrails for pool steps
- Unrepaired damage (cracks in steps, broken tiles, etc.)
- Failure to maintain pool equipment
- Failure to provide adequate supervision
Liability for Swimming Pool Accidents: Who Should I Sue?
Brooklyn swimming pool accident victims may be unsure who is liable for accident damages. Our premises liability attorneys investigate the details of an accident to determine who a lawsuit should be filed against. Liability may differ depending on where the accident occurs.
- Public outdoor pools - Public outdoor pools are usually maintained by the city or municipality where they are located. As with other property owners, government entities can be sued when negligence results in a swimming pool drowning or accident.
- Pools at gyms or sports clubs - Pools at gyms or sports clubs are the responsibility of the property owner or management company running the facilities.
- Apartment building pools - When a swimming pool drowning or accident occurs at an apartment building, victims can file a premises liability lawsuit against apartment managers or owners.
- Hotel pools - As with swimming pool accidents in apartment buildings, hotel management or owners can be liable for swimming injuries on their premises.
Contact Zucker & Regev, P.C.
Swimming pool drownings and accidents frequently have devastating physical, emotional, and financial consequences. Premises liability attorneys at Zucker & Regev, P.C. are prepared to assist accident victims in pursuing compensation for damages. To schedule a consultation at our Brooklyn law firm, contact us online at your earliest convenience.