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Has Your Child Been Injured in a Public Pool? 4 Reasons You May Be Able to Sue for Damages

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Now that summer is almost here and the kids are getting ready to leave school for vacation, you're probably planning the warm weather activities. If you take your kids to the community pool during the summer, you need to be aware of the risks that are involved. Local governments are responsible for providing a safe environment for swimming, especially when they operate a public swimming pool. If your child is injured while swimming in a community pool, you may be able to sue for damages. Here are four reasons why your local community might be liable for injuries that your child sustains while swimming in a public pool.

Failure to Provide Adequate Lifeguards

If your community operates a public pool during the summer, they have the responsibility to provide an adequate number of lifeguards. In most cases, there should be at least one lifeguard for every 25 swimmers. However, if there is no adult supervision and the pool is populated with preschool age swimmers, the ratio should change to one lifeguard for every 15 swimmers. If your child is injured due to an insufficient number of lifeguards, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Failure to Post Warning Signs

When a public swimming pool is in operation, there should be sufficient warning signs to prevent accidents and injuries. Some of the warning signs should include information regarding the depth of the pool, risk of accidental injuries relating to diving or other potentially dangerous water activities, and so on. If your child is injured as a result of insufficient warning signs, or warning signs were nonexistent, you need to seek legal representation.

Failure to Repair Hazardous Conditions

Local government has a legal responsibility to keep public swimming pools free of any hazardous conditions. That means that they need to take care of all necessary repairs in a timely manner. Some repairs that need to be taken care of immediately include damage to public walkways around the pool, damaged or missing vacuum or filter covers, and loose or damaged stairs or railings. If your child suffers injuries related to hazardous pool conditions that have not been addressed, you may have the right to compensation for those injuries.

Failure to Regulate Guest Activities

When it comes to operating a public pool, your civic leaders have an obligation to ensure that guest activities are regulated at all times. If they allow activities such as excessive roughhousing, they could be held liable for any injuries that result from those activities. If your child has been injured due to unsafe guest activities at your local public pool, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.


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