Oklahoma City summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means: time to start spending as much time as possible by the pool. Owning a swimming pool is great for entertaining friends and relaxing on hot days in the privacy of your own backyard. Plus, a pool is a great investment, adding a lot of resale value to your home. That being said, pool accidents can easily happen if you do not take the proper precautions as a pool owner.
Pool Owner Responsibility
It’s important to remember that pools can be dangerous places. There is a significant amount of liability that comes with owning a pool. Unlike other parts of your home, you will likely be held responsible for injuries sustained while using your pool even if the person injured was trespassing at the time. Homeowners are seen as responsible in cases of pool accidents if it is deemed that a homeowner could have taken reasonable action to prevent an accident from occurring.
Generally speaking, there are many statutes that exist in regards to securing home pools. These tend to vary state by state, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with your state’s pool regulations before installing your own home pool. Read on for more information on securing your pool area in order to avoid pool accidents and the costly lawsuits and medical bills that come along with them.
Secure the Pool Area
Your pool must be fenced in to ensure that you can properly keep unwanted visitors out. As the pool owner, you’ll be held liable for injury even if the injured person in question was not invited to use your pool. This is because of a legal loophole called “attractive nuisance.” The law deems that if something on your property is considered an object that attracts children, like a swimming pool, you can be held responsible for anything that happens to a child on this piece of property. It doesn’t matter whether or not you invited the child to use the pool; the pool’s existence acts as an invitation itself. Be sure that you have a fence properly installed that meets your district’s standards, as it will help your liability case should you have to deal with a pool accident in court.
Prevent Slipping and Falling Near Your Pool
Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common pool accidents. Pool areas are very high risk for these kinds of accidents, as they are inherently wet and slippery places. Prevent slip and fall accidents as best you can by installing non-stick surfaces on your patio and pool, putting up proper hazard signs, warning guests of pool hazards verbally, and taking care to always clear away standing water on the pool deck as quickly as possible. It’s best to hire a personal injury lawyer to be on your side as well, since they will know the signs of negligence to look for in cases of pool accidents.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Contact the Parrish DeVaughn Law Firm today if you have pool accident liability on your hands. We will work hard to ensure you get the settlement you deserve.
