West Windsor NJ Swimming Pool Accident Injury Lawyers
Personal Injury Attorneys with Offices in Hamilton & Pennington, NJ
Although swimming pools can be the source of childhood memories and summer fun, they can also be extremely dangerous, particularly for children, as about one-fourth of all drowning victims are under the age of fourteen. Sadly, many of these resulting injuries and deaths are preventable if appropriate steps are taken to ensure pool safety in both private and public settings.
Unfortunately, pool owners often fail to fulfill their legal responsibilities to ensure the safety of those on their premises, spelling untold physical and emotional suffering for victims who are injured as a result of their negligence. If you or someone you love has been injured in a swimming pool-related accident, you may have grounds to file a premises liability lawsuit seeking compensation for medical expenses and other financial and emotional burdens incurred as a result of the incident.
Also, if someone you love has died as a result of a drowning, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit on his or her behalf. Regardless of the specific circumstances of your case, it is important to know that you are not alone and you are not left without recourse through the legal system. By enlisting a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, you can feel confidence in the fact that an experienced legal advocate is pursuing every available avenue to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve.
The personal injury attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson employ all of the resources at their disposal in order to provide the best representation for their clients. In order to effectively address your case, they will accumulate and organize all of the available evidence to support your claim, including a medical assessment of your injuries and necessary treatment, an analysis of the circumstances that preceded the event, and photographs documenting the site of the incident. Compiling and constructing a compelling argument on your behalf is our priority as we work toward obtaining just compensation for you or your loved one. To discuss your injury case with a member of our legal team free of charge, contact our Hamilton and Pennington, New Jersey offices at (609) 528-2596.
Swimming Pool Accidents by the Numbers
According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is number five among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. Of these deceased drowning victims, approximately one in five is a child under the age of fourteen, as drowning represents the second most common cause of unintentional death among those ages one to fourteen behind motorcycle accidents. Notably, the highest rates of drowning can be found among children between the ages of one and four and most of these accidents occur in residential swimming pools.
In addition, for every child who dies as a result of drowning, another five children will receive emergency medical treatment for nonfatal injuries. Compared with the average hospitalization rate of six percent for all unintentional injuries, fifty percent of drowning victims who receive emergency medical care require hospitalization and further treatment. Sadly, these injuries can spell long-term consequences such as brain damage, memory problems, learning disabilities, and even paralysis. With this in mind, it is not surprising that New Jersey has implemented laws requiring pool owners to take certain precautions as a means by which to prevent these devastating events.
Swimming Pool Accident Injury Lawsuits in New Jersey
Swimming pool accident lawsuits are typically classified within the broader category of premises liability litigation, as they involve injuries caused by hazardous conditions found on private or public property. With regard to swimming pool accident prevention, New Jersey law holds pool owners responsible for ensuring the safety of those operating in or around their premises. There are a host of requirements associated with pool ownership, whether the pool in question is located on a private residence or in a public facility. Some of these obligations include the following:
- Pools must be fenced
- Pool entries must have gates and associated safety locks
- Children should not be left unattended near public or private pools
- Public pool facilities should be marked with signage to indicate shallow areas that are unsafe for diving
- Diving boards must be located in appropriate areas, installed, and maintained properly
- Pool lifeguards should be trained in CPR
- Vacant pools must be drained completely
If a pool owner fails to comply with the safety measures listed above, among others, he or she may be held liable for injuries resulting from these unsafe conditions. Fortunately, injured victims have legal avenues through which to hold these parties responsible and with the help of a skilled personal injury law firm, you can significantly increase your chances of achieving a desirable outcome.
Contact Our Mercer County NJ Personal Injury Attorneys to Discuss Your Swimming Pool Accident Case
A member of our distinguished personal injury team will provide you with a comprehensive analysis of your swimming pool accident case in order to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. For a free consultation with one of our premises liability lawyers, contact the law offices of Cohen & Riechelson at (609) 528-2596 or (215) 337-4915.