Injuries from Swimming Pool Accidents in Oklahoma City

As the weather in Oklahoma warms up, private and public pool use increases, and unfortunately, so do pool-related injuries. A swimming pool accident can happen quickly, and injuries can be serious or even fatal.

When these injuries result from negligence, victims and their families deserve compensation. At Parrish DeVaughn Injury Lawyers, our Oklahoma City premises liability lawyers are committed to providing professional and compassionate legal representation for your swimming pool injury claim.

Common Types of Swimming Pool Accidents

These are some common types of swimming pool accidents that can cause injuries to both children and adults:

Drowning and near-drowning: Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1 to 4. An estimated 10 people drown every day. Worldwide, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death, and these deaths can happen to children and adults, supervised or unsupervised.
Slip-and-fall accidents: Injuries from slippery pool decks and surrounding areas are common and are often caused by low-quality materials or a lack of proper maintenance. Improper drainage around the pool or worn surfaces are other factors that can lead to slip-and-fall accidents.
Diving accidents: Diving into shallow water can result in head and spinal cord injuries that cause long-lasting or permanent damage. Swimming facilities and home pools that don’t properly label pool depth or post warning signs put you at risk.
Drain entrapment: Pool drains that lack proper covers can trap hair, limbs, or clothing, resulting in suction injuries. Drain entrapment may result in death if victims are restricted from getting to the surface of the water.
Chemical exposure: Pools require chemicals to keep them sanitary, but some pool owners and managers don’t use the right amount. Improper pool chemical use or storage can cause health issues and medical problems.
Electrocution: Faulty wiring in or around pools can result in electrocution. If electrical components get wet near a pool, it can cause an electrical current to flow through the water, which can paralyze or even kill a person.
Pool toy and equipment accidents: Defective slides, ladders, or other pool equipment have been known to cause serious injuries. Faulty inflatable pool floats and other water equipment can also cause fatal injuries.

Common Swimming Pool Injuries

These are some of the common pool injuries that can occur:

Traumatic brain injuries: A near-drowning or head impact from falling near a swimming pool could result in a traumatic brain injury.
Spinal cord injuries: Often resulting from diving accidents, spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis are common in pool accidents.
Broken bones: Slips, falls, or impacts with hard pool surfaces could end in a broken bone.
Lung damage: Water inhalation and chemical exposure are both culprits of lung damage injuries from the pool.
Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and contusions from falls are more than inconveniences. These injuries can be more serious than you realize.
Cuts and lacerations: Injuries such as cuts and lacerations can result from broken pool equipment or rough surfaces.
Chemical burns: Improper chlorine use or other chemical exposure could cause chemical burns that damage your skin, eyes, hair, or worse.

Who Is Liable for Swimming Pool Accidents?

Swimming pool accidents usually fall under the category of premises liability, meaning property owners can be held responsible for failing to maintain a safe swimming area for visitors, but this isn’t always the case.

Here’s who might be liable for a swimming pool accident in Oklahoma:

Private homeowners: A homeowner has responsibilities under Oklahoma’s premises liability laws to keep the area around their home safe.
Property managers/landlords: A property manager’s or landlord’s duties include maintaining safe pool conditions for residents in homes and apartment complexes.
Public facilities: A government entity is liable for maintaining city pools and public water parks and ensuring the safety of pools at hotels and other recreational areas.
Pool manufacturers: A swimming pool manufacturer is responsible for defective pool equipment or a flaw in the design.
Pool maintenance companies: A pool maintenance company can be held liable for negligent maintenance or chemical treatment.
Contractors: A contractor must ensure proper pool installation and take care of repairs promptly.

Oklahoma Swimming Pool Safety Laws and Regulations

The Oklahoma State Department of Health regulates laws regarding safety in and around swimming pools. Building code standards for swimming pools in Oklahoma are based on the guidance set by the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, which requires safety features such as fencing, gates, covers, and alarms to be in place.

In addition, the attractive nuisance doctrine holds property owners responsible for protecting children who may be attracted to dangers on their land. This means a pool injury caused by a landowner’s negligence is ultimately their responsibility, even if a child was trespassing.

Compensation Available for Swimming Pool Accident Victims

Victims of swimming pool-related accidents and their families could receive personal injury compensation for:

Medical expenses such as emergency treatment, hospital stays, and rehabilitation
Future medical costs, including ongoing care for permanent injuries
Lost wages and compensation for time away from work
Loss of earning capacity for injuries affecting future ability to work
Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional trauma
Wrongful death damages for families that have lost loved ones

Steps To Take After a Swimming Pool Accident

If you or someone you love is injured in a swimming pool accident in Oklahoma City, take these steps:

Seek immediate medical attention regardless of injuries.
Document the scene by taking photos of the pool, safety features, and hazardous conditions.
Gather the contact details from witnesses who saw the accident.
Report the incident to the property owner and appropriate authorities.
Preserve any evidence, such as damaged clothing, medical records, and other relevant items.
Avoid giving statements, especially to insurance companies, before consulting an attorney.
Contact an experienced attorney about legal representation as soon as possible.

How Parrish DeVaughn Can Help With Your Swimming Pool Injury Claim

Parrish DeVaughn is here to help with your swimming pool accident claim in any way we can. Our team will investigate the accident scene, examine the area’s safety measures, and collect maintenance records.

We’ll work with pool safety experts and medical professionals to better understand your unique case. Next, we’ll determine the potentially responsible parties and gather evidence such as medical records, witness statements, and safety violation documentation.

Insurance negotiation can be a tough part of the injury claims process, and we’re here for you. We’ll fight for fair compensation for your injury from all parties and relevant insurance policies. If necessary, our lawyers are prepared to represent you in court to maximize your chances of getting the money you deserve.

Contact Parrish DeVaughn Today

Don’t wait after an injury. If you’ve been in a swimming pool accident in Oklahoma City, contact Parrish DeVaughn for a free consultation today.