You may be surprised to find that, from 2005 to 2014, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings each year in the United States. About one in five people who die from drowning incidents are children who are 14 and younger. Many of these people who are treated in emergency settings will end up with long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent losses of basic functioning. You may wonder what risk factors are involved in drowning. By understanding what causes many of these accidents, you can learn to stay safe in the summer and prevent the risk of injury or even death.
Factors Influencing the Drowning Risk
Lack of Swimming Ability: You may be surprised to know that there are many people out there who cannot swim, adults and children alike. However, more swimming lessons would possibly solve this issue.
Lack of Barriers: By putting pool fencing up, anybody can prevent small children from getting into a pool area. This may actually reduce the risk of a child drowning by 83%.
Lack of Supervision: Drowning happens quickly, which is why there should always be an eye on swimmers. This means that being in the presence of a lifeguard and adults closely watching children can make all the difference. You can drown in any body of water, such as bathtubs, swimming pools, and buckets – which is why it is important to always have a watchful eye.
Location: Studies show that children ages 1-4 are more likely to drown in swimming pools at home.
Lack of Life Jackets: Boating accidents can cause deaths just as much as swimming accidents. Most accidents happening in 2010 happened because of drowning, with 88% of victims not wearing life jackets.
Alcohol Use: Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and more. Its use is involved in up to 70% of deaths associated with water recreation.
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Premises Liability in Swimming Pool Accidents
Many accidents will happen at pools, sometimes resulting in accidents or deaths. You may wonder who will be held liable for accidents involving around pools. You should know from the start that an owner is not always automatically liable for injuries that happen around the pool. In these cases, premises liability rules will usually apply. This is because a pool is considered to be part of the property that it is located on.
Premises liability rules will apply to who is liable in a particular part of a building or land. These rules will vary from state to state, especially ones concerning swimming pools. When determining liability, three types of entrants will be considered, such as trespassers, licensees, and invitees. No matter what, the pool owner’s duty is broadly stated as the duty to make the pool reasonably safe for anticipated use. Pool owners must do a reasonable job of maintaining and repairing the pool so that invitees are not injured in an accident.
If you have been injured in a pool accident, you may wonder what options are available to you. The truth is, you have many options for compensation to cover your injuries. Call us today for more information on your case and learn how to stay safe and prevent injuries. At Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, we will handle your case.
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