Summer is incoming, which means an increase in the amount of swimming pool accidents starting in late May and early June. According to some statistics, fatal drowning accounts for the second-highest cause of unintentional deaths for children ages 1 to 14. Other potential injuries could lead to life-long debilitating conditions. Before you go swimming, here are a few possible accidents to avoid.
Diving
Diving into shallow water is always a dangerous prospect. Most people who misjudge the depth of the pool wind up with traumatic brain injury or even spinal cord damage, which may lead to drowning or permanent disability.
Pool Drains
Some people may not know how dangerous draining pools can be. Small children have been disemboweled when their bottoms covered the drain portal of wading, and the suction forced the intestines through a ruptured rectum. Child victims of this kind of accident often suffer permanent damage through the loss of normal digestive function. For example, in 2007, a 6-year-old girl lost part of her intestinal tract to a drain’s suction. Doctors had to remove the part of her intestines that remained, and she must now receive nutrition through a port for the rest of her life. While North Carolina requires pools to have dual drains to diffuse the force of the suction, it is best to keep an eye on your child at all times when they are near or in a pool.
Running
Running around a wet or moist pool area often leads to disaster. Slip-and-fall accidents are common around slick poolside concrete or wooden decks. While some of them aren’t too serious, others can lead to strains, breaks, and concussions.
Drowning
Drowning is often a risk near pools, particularly for younger children. Kids should always be watched when anywhere near a pool. Smaller children, even when wearing a lifejacket, should never be more than an arm’s length away from their parents. Because their upper bodies are often slightly heavier than their lower bodies, young children often have trouble righting themselves if they fall forward in the water.
Likewise, those who have pools in the backyard should separate the pool from the rest of the property using a four-sided, childproof fence. Children are often very curious and can find their way into the most unlikely places. If someone accidentally leaves the back door open, a child can find themselves in a backyard and accidentally fall into the pool without anyone knowing. Such accidents have unfortunately happened before.
Stay safe this summer. However, if you’re injured by the poolside as the result of someone else’s negligence, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Hyland, Padilla & Fowler, PLLC is dedicated to protecting the rights of the people we help. Let our experienced Raleigh personal injury lawyers help you achieve the compensation you deserve. We have more than 50 years of collective legal experience to offer your case. To get started, contact us or fill out our online form with your case information. We offer free consultations.