The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 3,536 people died from drowning accidents annually from 2005 to 2014 in the United States. This equates to 10 deaths each day. About one in five people who die from drowning are children aged 14 and under.
More than half of drowning victims who are treated in emergency departments require hospitalization for further care. These non-fatal drowning injuries/near-drowning injuries can be very serious. They can result in serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.
Increased Risk Factors
What factors increase the risk of drowning? Common causes of natural water and swimming pool injuries are:
- Lack of swimming ability – Research has shown that formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among young children aged one to four years old. Swim lessons are great places for them to learn basic pool safety rules.
- Lack of barriers – A four-sided isolation fence reduces the risk of a child drowning by 83% compared to a pool that is only fenced in on three sides. It is also a good idea to keep a private pool covered with a pool cover when it is not in use.
- Seizure disorders – For people who have seizure disorders, drowning is the most common cause of unintentional injury death. People with seizures can drown even in shallow water like hot tubs or bath tubs.
- Location – Most children aged one to four years old drown in home pools. More than half of fatal and nonfatal drownings of those 15 years and older occurred in natural water settings. In the summer of 2017, the state with the highest number of pool and spa drownings involving children under the age of 15 was Florida (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
- Alcohol – There is a good reason why public pools and water parks generally prohibit alcohol consumption on the premises. Alcohol is attributed as a factor in as many as 70 percent of all water recreation injuries and deaths.
- Failure to Wear Safety Equipment – The use of life jackets and other floatation devices can reduce the risk of drowning on a boat.
Premises Liability
Property owners can be held liable for accidents that take place on their property. Under Nevada premises liability laws, unsecured swimming pools are considered an “attractive nuisance” to children, which means that the homeowners or business owners can be held legally responsible for accidents, even if they did not give the child permission to be in the pool.
Public pool owners must comply with specific federal and state regulations to keep the pool area safe and the appropriate safety equipment installed.
Private pool owners should take steps to secure their pool behind a four-sided fence to prevent people from trespassing on their property and becoming injured. Additional safety devices such as an alarm or self-closing pool gate are also advisable.
Experienced Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one was injured at a pool, you should seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you determine if you have a valid personal injury claim.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
If you are looking for a law firm with experienced personal injury attorneys, contact Anthem Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation. Our phone number is (702) 857-6000. Our law office is located in Henderson, but we work with clients all over the Las Vegas Valley.
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