Iowa homeowners with swimming pools are liable when swimming pool injury accidents occur on their premises. Therefore, it is important for the owner of the pool to take responsibility for maintaining a safe environment for children and adults who use the pool and for people who live nearby.
To prevent common injuries such as slip and falls around the pool, diving board injuries, diving neck and spinal injuries, electrocution, infections and near drowning or fatal drowning accidents, pool owners must be vigilant.
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- Supervision is key, particularly when children are using the pool or just visiting a home with a pool – never allow a pool to be unattended if it is accessible to children.
- Establishing and consistently enforcing pool rules can reduce injury accidents which may include limits on diving, horseplay, running and the like. Heavy alcohol consumption or the use of other intoxicants should be prohibited.
- Maintaining the pool by making sure all things are in good repair and that the area is hygienic is essential to prevent injuries and prevent infections.
- The importance of an emergency plan cannot be understated. Anyone using the pool should be familiar with how to spot signs of a swimmer in distress. Pool users should know where the emergency shut off buttons and pool safety equipment are located and have access to a telephone to seek immediate help from 911 if needed.
- Although homeowners are not usually liable for injuries that a trespasser suffers on their property, there is an exception for children who are too young to understand the risks called the attractive nuisance law. If a homeowner with a pool fails to take reasonable safety precautions to protect errant children from hazards on their property, they may be held responsible.
Swimming Pool Injury Accidents Lawyers
Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental injury-related death among children ages 1-14 and many more are sent to the hospital with serious injuries. Pool owners, whether they are owners of a private pool or in a public setting, can be held liable when a visitor or swimmer is injured under Iowa premises liability law. If you or a family member is injured in a swimming pool injury accident, contact the Des Moines personal injury Law Offices of Stoltze & Stoltze PLC for help at 515-244-1473.
