Fort Lauderdale Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers

Guiding Accident Victims to Just Financial Recovery

There are more swimming pools in Florida than any other state in the U.S. except California. Floridians enjoy swimming year-round, as the temperature outside is usually warm enough for a relaxing and refreshing swim. In South Florida, families with children typically own homes with pools for their kids to play, get some exercise, and have their friends over for parties. It is a staple in a Floridian’s childhood.

Unfortunately, the luxury of having a pool comes at a cost. Homeowners may be liable for swimming pool accidents when others become injured or drown in their pools. Public swimming facilities may also be liable for damages when they fail to prevent accidents and drownings. In the event of a Fort Lauderdale swimming pool accident, do not hesitate to explore your legal options for recovery with an attorney.

Swimming Pool Accident Facts

There are 1,027,846 inground pools and 250,728 above ground pools in the state of Florida. There are also 24,774 commercial pools and 335,646 hot tubs. The ubiquity of pools presents a threat to children under 14, as pool-related accidents are the second leading cause of their death. Hundreds of children under 5 drown in residential swimming pools and spas each year in the U.S., while thousands more end up in the emergency room for swimming and pool-related injuries.

Types of Pool Accidents in South Florida

Children and adults can get hurt in and around a swimming pool in various ways. Pool accidents typically involve one or more of the following circumstances:

Lack of pool barriers
Failure to lock pool gates
Diving boards
Slippery surfaces
Pool drains
Pool covers
Electrocution
Unsafe water conditions
Improper pool maintenance
Negligent supervision
Defective pool equipment
The absence of warning signs or depth markers
Objects or debris on the pool deck

Negligence and inadequate supervision are key contributors to pool accidents involving young children. These types of accidents occur more frequently in commercial swimming pools where large groups of swimmers gather. Inadequate lifeguard training may also contribute to accidents and drownings.

Common Injuries Sustained in a South Florida Pool

Surprisingly, people can sustain various life-threatening injuries and illnesses from swimming. The following list contains just a few of the more common injuries that can take place from a pool accident:

Head and spinal injuries
Drain injuries
Diseases and infections from contaminated water
Lacerations from rough pool edges or surfaces
Oxygen deprivation
Traumatic brain injuries
Skin irritation or allergic reactions to toxic chemicals

Hundreds of people survive pool accidents each and every day; however, many must live with the ongoing burden of recovering from their injuries. Recovery often comes at a steep cost. From spending considerable time in and out of the hospital, doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, and missing time from work, medical bills quickly pile up while savings vanish without any new income to support one’s cost of living. Before accepting any settlement from the at-fault party, be sure to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who resolves swimming pool accident cases.

Recoverable Damages in a Swimming Pool Accident

At Salpeter Gitkin, LLP, we fight aggressively to recover the appropriate compensation our clients deserve by law. We have helped clients recover millions of dollars for their injuries in a wide range of accident cases. It is challenging enough to deal with the unexpected burden of recovering from a severe injury without having to play tug-of-war with insurance companies. Allow us to help you recover compensation for all accident-related damages, including:

All medical expenses
Costs of in-home care
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Reduced quality of life
Pain and suffering
Psychiatric treatment
And more