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If you suffered injuries or a loved one passed away after a swimming pool injury, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer from our team may be able to help you get justice and recover compensation. We know how to identify the liable parties and take legal action against property owners and others responsible for this type of accident. Speak to a Los Angeles swimming pool accident attorney from KJT Law Group about your case for free today. We provide complimentary case assessments for injured parties, those with severely injured loved ones, and those who lost family members in swimming pool accidents. Call (818) 797-7931 or contact us online to get started.
Pool Accidents Happen Often in the Los Angeles Area
It seems like there’s another drowning or pool accident every time you turn on the news in Los Angeles. The city has numerous private pools, public swimming areas, and resorts with pools. Accidents can happen in any pool or spa, especially when the owner or operator does not follow proper safety protocols. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year in the United States, there are:
- 11 drowning deaths per day on average
- 3,960 fatalities from drowning
- 8,080 non-fatal drowning incidents
Children are at the highest risk of drowning, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Between 2017 and 2019, almost 400 fatal accidents affected children under age 15 in pools or spas each year. Of these, 73 percent occurred in children under age five. In 2021, there were 6,800 non-fatal drowning injuries in children treated at hospitals nationwide.
Drowning Deaths in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health reported 85 drowning deaths in 2020 alone. Most drowning fatalities involved men between the ages of 18-64 and occurred in pools or open water. This age group is most likely to experience other serious pool injuries, such as diving injuries, as well.
Swimming Pool Accident Injuries and Recoverable Damages
Most people think of drowning when they consider swimming pool injuries – indeed, this is a common way these injuries occur. However, many other types of injuries are possible as well. For example, diving in shallow water can cause severe trauma to the head, neck, or back. A fall from a diving board or slide can cause fractures or head injuries. Let’s look at each of these injuries and their outcomes more closely.
Fatal and Non-Fatal Drownings
Drowning prevents the brain from getting the oxygen it needs to function properly. When oxygen deprivation lasts more than a few minutes, a hypoxic brain injury and death are possible. While many people do not realize it, most drowning injuries are not fatal. A parent, lifeguard, first responder, or another party pulls the victim from the water and restores their airway. Depending on how long a person’s brain went without oxygen and other factors, they could have a lasting brain injury. Drowning outcomes vary widely and could include:
- Full recovery with observation
- Full recovery with hospitalization and rehabilitation
- Partial recovery with therapy and rehabilitation
- Catastrophic injuries that require some level of ongoing support
- Death from brain injury or complications
Diving Accidents
Diving accidents frequently cause severe head and neck trauma when the person jumps head-first into the pool and hits the bottom. These injuries can be fatal or leave the victim with lifelong, debilitating injuries. Some require round-the-clock nursing care or support.
A broken neck can immediately damage or sever the spinal cord, making it impossible for the person to move their limbs or even breathe independently. This is an emergency situation that requires training to stabilize the neck and restore the person’s airway. A broken neck could quickly become a fatal injury without a lifeguard or first responder on the scene. Many who survive eventually breathe on their own and may learn to operate their own wheelchair.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) from hitting the head on the bottom or side of the pool are also common. These injuries can vary widely in severity, from a concussion to a catastrophic injury that leaves the victim requiring help with basic, everyday tasks.
Other Swimming Pool Accident Injuries
Other injuries can also occur at a private pool, shared swimming area, or resort pool. Falls, electrocution, and horseplay are all causes of swimming pool injuries. The type of injury and outcome depends on the circumstances. Fractures, burns, contusions, lacerations, and many other injuries are possible. Many of these injuries occur because alcohol use is common poolside, as are reckless antics – especially among teens and young men.
Liability for Los Angeles Swimming Pool Accidents and Injuries
Our personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles help clients identify the liable party or parties in their swimming pool accident case. Usually, the liable party is the property owner. Examples include:
- Private property owners who fail to provide a safe place for guests
- Owners of a shared public pool or facility (sometimes they are owned by a municipality)
- Resort owners who failed to follow proper protocols for operating a safe pool
Pool accidents generally fall under California’s premises liability law, CIV § 1714(a). This statute creates a duty of care for property owners, making them responsible for the safety of those who visit or use their facilities. Pool accidents often occur in areas with no lifeguard on duty, such as private pools and some resort pools and spas. Sometimes, lifeguards fail to use their training to identify a drowning party or make other careless mistakes while on the stand. They may allow people to remain in the pool when they are not on the stand at all. Failing to do their job properly could make a lifeguard at fault for any drowning that occurs. Likely, their employer is vicariously liable in these cases. The employer’s insurer would cover the costs of a claim or lawsuit.
Get Help From a Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
When our team takes on a Los Angeles swimming pool accident case, the client can focus on their healing rather than worry about the claims process. The personal injury attorneys at KJT Law Group can:
- Protect your legal right to seek compensation
- Identify and gather evidence
- Develop a strong claim
- Demand compensation for damages such as medical bills, ongoing care costs, lost income, and pain and suffering
- Negotiate with the insurer or liable party
- Sue if necessary
We encourage you to call right away if:
- Your pool accident injuries are stable
- You or your loved one suffered catastrophic injuries in a pool accident
- Your family member died from pool accident injuries
Deadlines for Suing in a Los Angeles County Civil Court
California sets deadlines for suing the liable party under CCP § 335.1. If you or a loved one were hurt in a pool accident, you likely only have up to two years from the date of the incident to sue. For wrongful death cases, you generally have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file paperwork and begin the lawsuit.
Talk to a Los Angeles Swimming Pool Accident Attorney Today
The team at KJT Law Group invites you to discuss your legal options with us for free today. We can help you understand your next steps and explain how our attorneys work with no upfront costs to you and your family. To learn more, call (818) 797-7931 or contact us online now.
If you or someone you love was injured due to another person’s negligence, contact KJT Law Group at (818) 797-7931 for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Swimming Pool Accidents
Who is liable for a swimming pool accident at a Los Angeles apartment complex?
In Los Angeles, the property owner or management company is typically liable. They must maintain secure fencing, functional gate latches, and proper chemical balances. If their failure to meet California safety codes caused the accident, you can pursue a premises liability claim.
Can I sue a Los Angeles public pool for a lifeguard’s negligence?
Yes. Under the California Government Claims Act, you can sue for lifeguard negligence, such as distraction or failure to respond. However, you must file a formal administrative claim with the city or county within six months of the incident before filing a lawsuit.
Does a “Swim at Your Own Risk” sign protect a Los Angeles pool owner?
No, a sign does not grant immunity. While it notes the absence of a lifeguard, owners remain liable for safety code violations such as broken gates or chemical imbalances and gross negligence. In California, you cannot waive responsibility for reckless disregard for safety or “attractive nuisances” involving children.
What if my child was injured at a friend’s pool party in Los Angeles?
You can pursue a claim through your friend’s homeowners insurance, which is designed to cover such accidents. Liability often hinges on “negligent supervision” or failure to secure the pool area. California law specifically requires residential pools to have safety features like self-latching gates to protect children.