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During hot summers here in Georgia, there is no better way to cool off than jumping in the water to relax. Pools, lakes, ponds, and rivers are popular places around Atlanta to escape the heat and have a fun time. However, all of these places can be dangerous, even for experienced swimmers.
Contrary to popular belief, almost all swimming pool accidents occur in shallow water. In fact, almost 80 percent of diving accidents occur in water shallower than 3.25 feet deep. While swimmers can be injured from leaping into water from staggering heights or by trying new, risky dives, most swimming and diving injuries happen in normal pools when people are doing average activities.
Factors That Influence Swimming Pool Accidents
The shape and contour of the pool has a large impact on the types of accidents that may occur. The walls of some unsymmetrical swimming pools may be more difficult for swimmers to navigate. Other pools may have reflective bottoms that trick swimmers into thinking the depth is greater than it appears.
With diving accidents, the angle of impact is also very important. Even diving feet first can be risky, especially if you dive or jump from a high height. If you enter the water at a slightly “off” angle, the torque (or the force of rotation) exerted on your body can cause all kinds of injuries, ranging from spinal damage to broken bones to damage to internal organs and soft tissues.
Factors That Affect Swimming Pool Injuries
Much of the risk of injury in swimming pools can come from hitting against hard surfaces, whether while diving, after slipping, or simply while swimming too close to the side or bottom. Swimmers can suffer traumatic brain injuries if they hit their heads, but any traumatic contact with a hard surface can also cause fractures, joint damage, and lacerations. Even bracing against a collision can cause damage. Some of the factors that affect the severity of an injury include:
- Angle and speed of impact (especially for diving injuries)
- Duration of time between injury and medical treatment
- Quality of medical treatment administered
- Occurrence of other injuries simultaneously
- General health of the victim before the accident
Swimming while under the influence of drugs or alcohol can also drastically increase the probability of an injury. Even some prescription or over-the-counter medicines can make it dangerous to swim. Young children and even adolescents should not swim without supervision or they risk greater injury as well.
Some Swimming Pool Accidents May Be the Result of Another’s Negligence
Most swimming pool accidents are just that—accidents. However, some injuries that happen at the swimming pool can be a result of another person’s negligence. For example, a pool association may be liable for injuries caused by using a diving board that is not up to grade. A lifeguard may be liable of failing to act quickly enough in the case of an injury and causing further damage. Liability will depend on the circumstances of each individual case.
Have You Been Injured On Someone Else’s Property?
If you’ve been injured due to neglect while on someone else’s property you need to speak with an experienced premises liability lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our office directly at (800) 234-9556 to schedule your free consultation.
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