According to the Florida Department of Health, our state leads the country in drowning deaths of children under 5 years old. Many others suffer from near-drowning and the injuries that come with it, including asphyxiation, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or loss of consciousness, which may result in permanent disabilities. Some medical complications are unfortunately not known until months after the initial accident.
If you live in Orlando or Central Florida, it is essential to know your rights as a guest at a swimming pool. Whether private or public including a theme park, managers and owners of swimming pools are obligated to keep their facilities safe for guests. Typically, this means installing lockable gates and barriers so young children can’t access the pool without the help of a trusted guardian. Other pool-related accidents are caused by broken pool slides and diving boards, defective equipment, dangerous or improperly covered drains, and negligent supervision.
Medical Care For Swimming Pool Injuries
Not all types of swimming pool injuries are alike. While some deaths happen immediately as a direct cause of drowning, near-drowning may be just as dangerous. Near-drowning can lead to severe brain damage, respiratory distress, and disabilities that can lead to death days or even months following the accident.
Non-fatal swimming pool injuries in Central Florida are serious and require immediate medical attention even if your child does not show symptoms at first. A healthcare provider must conduct a series of tests to measure the level of oxygen in the body, as well as perform scans of the brain, chest, lungs, and heart. These will expose issues like collapsed lungs or pneumonia. If there is damage discovered, a doctor will help you and your family move forward with options for treatment.
Property owners are required to follow certain safety standards to avoid these tragic injuries. For example, in 2000, legislators enacted the Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act to reduce the number of deaths and injuries acquired at Florida swimming pools. This requires residential pools, hot tubs, and spas to be equipped with at least one safety feature. This means safety nets, pool covers, drain covers, and more.
Contact Orlando Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys
While there is no amount of money that can compensate for the loss of a child, it is critical to seek legal counsel to ensure the incident never occurs again at the hands of a negligent adult. More than that, timely filing of a claim for the injury gives your family the resources to ultimately help during the recovery process.
Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the nation for swimming pool injuries. As an experienced injury attorney in Orlando and Central Florida, David R. Heil, PA advises you to use caution when using any swimming facility and keep young children supervised at all times. If you or a member of your family has suffered a serious injury or death due to someone else’s negligence, our Orlando law firm will understand the circumstances of the accident and help you get compensation for medical expenses, rehabilitative care, and more.
