Many Pennsylvania swimmers may be looking to enjoy the summer months by spending as much time as possible in a swimming pool. These pool lovers should be aware that drowning is a risk to swimmers of all ages and skill levels.
While children are more likely to drown than adults, most people who drown each year in the United States are over the age of 14. A person can drown without giving any sign of distress. Children often slip under the water without being noticed, and adults sometimes go under if they have a seizure that is caused by a medical condition or if they have been drinking or doing drugs. In natural bodies of water, currents or other conditions may cause even a good swimmer to be pulled under or unable to swim to safety.
It is advised that children swimmers should be watched by an adult at all times. In addition, homeowners with swimming areas should fence in their pools and take other precautions to keep uninvited guests out of the area. Homeowners might not be held responsible for an adult drowning in their pool, particularly if the adult was trespassing. However, laws often make homeowners responsible for pool safety of all children. Homeowners may be liable if a child, even one who was trespassing, drowns in their swimming pool.
When someone is injured on someone else’s property, the injured person may be entitled to compensation. In the case of drowning, public or private pools owned by businesses such as hotels often have lifeguards and warning signs to protect swimmers. However, the presence of such safeguards does not mean that a business cannot be liable for injuries or drowning. An investigation could be performed to determine liability in any accident that happens on a business or personal property.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
July 19, 2016
