Swimming Pool Liability
Regardless of your age, the warm days of summer are often spent at the swimming pool. Swimming pools are a source of fun but also pose serious dangers as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day, approximately ten people die from drowning in a swimming pool. That statistic doesn’t even take into account other swimming pool accidents that can result in serious and life-changing injuries.
What is a swimming pool property owner liable for?
When you are at a swimming pool that is not on your own property, you might want to know who is liable in the event that you or one of your children suffers an injury. The New Jersey State Bathing Code outlines the safety requirements for pools in the State of New Jersey. These regulations are put in place to ensure the safety of children and adults alike who are spending time at a swimming pool.
- Public pool liability – There are many safety measures that a public pool must take including but not limited to:
- Providing emergency safety equipment
- Providing trained supervision, such as a lifeguard
- Maintaining equipment and replacing or removing broken equipment
- Warning swimmers of hidden dangers, like no diving in the shallow end of the pool
- Private pool liability – When you are swimming at a pool on private property, it is important to understand the owner’s responsibilities as well. The owner of a private pool is required to:
- Warn their guests about any known dangers that are not immediately apparent, like a broken step on the pool ladder.
- Provide supervision whenever there are children at the pool
- Provide a barrier, like a fence around the pool, to prohibit children from accessing the pool when there are no adults around to supervise them.
- Trespassing at a private pool – In the event that a child trespasses onto private property and sustains injuries at a pool, the property owners can be held responsible if:
- The property owner is aware that the child might attempt to enter the property
- There is no gate or fence around the pool
- There is a gate or fence around the pool, but it is easy to get around or climb over
If you have reason to believe that there was a violation of this code or that there were dangerous circumstances that led to a swimming pool accident, it is advisable to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Speak with an Experienced New Jersey Premises Liability Attorney Today
If you or someone you know has been injured at a public pool or a pool on another person’s property, it is advisable to talk with a premises liability lawyer to learn more about your legal rights. At Leonard Legal Group, we understand the challenges presented when you are injured in someone else’s pool. It can be difficult to know what steps to take first, and we can help you throughout the entire legal claims process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the services that we offer. We are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ right to just compensation in the event of a swimming pool injury in New Jersey.