Las Vegas Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

Swimming pool injuries can range from mild to catastrophic, with some accidents resulting in brain damage or paralysis. These conditions can cause permanent disruptions to your memory, cognitive ability, and dexterity. That is why it is crucial for injured swimmers to seek both medical and legal help as soon as possible. The Las Vegas swimming pool injury attorneys at Van Law Firm are aggressively pursuing new claims, so that we may help expedite both your recovery and your compensation. Additionally, if you’ve faced injuries on someone else’s property, having a Premises Liability Lawyer in Las Vegas by your side can ensure that you receive the rightful compensation you deserve.

For a free legal consultation with a swimming pool injury lawyer serving Las Vegas, call (725) 900-9000

Potential Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents

When it comes to swimming pool accidents, there are a number of potential causes, such as:

• Improperly covered or secured pool/ spa: Swimming areas that are not properly covered or secured can pose a huge liability risk for property owners, especially in areas where young children are present.
• Insufficient lights: Poor lighting leads to reduced visibility, which leads to more injuries.
• Non-functioning safety equipment: When there is defective or nonexistent safety equipment, it stands to reason that more accidents will occur.
• Slick surfaces: Due to the fact that there is usually water everywhere underfoot, slips and falls are rampant among pool-goers.
• Incompetent lifeguards: If the personnel in charge of swimmers’ safety is distracted or not up to par, the risk of injury increases dramatically.

Las Vegas Swimming Pool Injury Lawyer Near Me (725) 900-9000

Common Injuries

Aside from drownings and near-drownings, there are many different injuries that can arise from a swimming pool accident, including:

• Diving Board Injuries
• Swimming Pool Slide Injuries
• Slips and Falls
• Pool Toy Entrapment
• Suction Entrapment
• Electrocution
• Pool Drain Injuries
• Chemical Irritations and Injuries

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Determining Liability and Nevada Lifeguard Regulations

Casino or resort patrons are paying customers, and as such, they are considered “invitees,” meaning that property owners owe them a higher standard of care than normal. Legally, they are obliged to:

• Seek out potential dangers
• Hold routine inspections
• Operate all equipment in accordance with health and safety codes
• Remove dangers as soon as possible
• Alert guests to potential risks as they are being fixed (caution signs, etc.)
• Employ sufficient staff of trained safety and maintenance personnel
• Plan for emergency situations and train for them
• Draft emergency plans and protocols
• Acquire the proper resources to operate pool safely

Lifeguards and the regulations surrounding them are a large factor for any public swimming pool accident case. Any facility that has a pool with a surface area of more than 2,000 square feet or admits unsupervised swimmers under 14 years of age is required to employ lifeguards on staff. Per Nevada law, owners should staff at least one guard for every 1,000 square feet of pool surface area. A guard must be present at the pool whenever it is at 80 percent capacity or above, and the shifts must be rotated in a way so that no one guard is on watch for more than one hour of consecutive time.

For guards who are in the water, a rescue tube must be at hand when working in three feet of water or less, and for depths of more than three feet, the rescue tube must be on their person. Nevada law requires pool owners to install slip resistant flooring for areas less than three feet deep, as well as hand rails that can support a weight of at least 50 pounds per linear foot. Every pool must have a minimum of two means of access and egress, with at least one for every 75 feet of perimeter. Any fountain, lazy river, or other feature that involves water in motion must have a sensor that automatically shuts off pumps when wind speeds exceed 20 miles per hour.

Additionally, just because lifeguards are present at the scene of an accident does not mean that property owners are free from liability for victims’ injuries. Generally, lifeguards across the country are expected to be able to operate under the “10/20” rule, meaning that they can identify a problem within 10 seconds and respond to it within another 20. Guard towers or chairs should be elevated enough to see the entire swimming area as well as the pool bottom, and they should have umbrellas or be in the shade.

There is also an equipment checklist that every swimming pool facility is required to follow, including:

• One or more spinal injury boards with straps and head and neck supports
• One or more Coast Guard-approved rescue throwing devices
• One or more 12 to 16-foot reaching poles
• Personal protective equipment such as latex gloves, masks, and resuscitation masks

There are multiple parties who may be deemed as liable for swimming injuries that take place at a resort or casino, including various insurance companies, the lifeguard company, equipment manufacturers, or the hotel itself.

Luckily, these properties all have an ample amount of security cameras that can capture crucial video evidence, but the footage is dumped periodically. So, it is imperative that swimming accident victims seek the help of an experienced Personal Injury attorney right away so that no evidence is lost.

Private

By inviting guests to their property with the expectation that swimming will occur, homeowners are obligated to ensure that their premises–especially the swimming area–has been prepared safely. They are also obligated to warn guests about any dangers they may reasonably come across, such as any issues with ladders, railings, or slides and diving boards.

In addition, there must be adequate fencing or barriers in place, especially when there are children present. In Nevada, uncovered or unfenced pools are considered “attractive nuisances,” meaning that they are likely to attract young children. Under the “attractive nuisance” law, homeowners may still be found liable for a child’s accident, even if the child entered the pool area without permission.

When a claimant sues a homeowner who is insured, the insurance company will take charge of the litigation. If the plaintiff happens to win, the damages will be paid by the insurance company up to the limit allowed by the homeowner’s policy. If the damages extend past these limits, the homeowner can also be sued individually for the difference.

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Swimming Pool Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas

When you’ve been injured in a swimming pool accident, the experienced team of Las Vegas swimming pool injury attorneys at Van Law Firm is the right choice. We’ve negotiated with insurance companies and defense counsel for years, and with hundreds of 5-star reviews online, our work ethic is always on display.

Call the office closest to you today to get your case started with a free and confidential consultation. We’re standing by to help around the clock.