May Is Pool Safety Month: Florida Laws, Risks, and Legal Protections

Anyone who has a pool creates a risk for others. That is never the intention of having a pool, and most people take every step they can to reduce risk. Yet, without a focus on pool safety, it can be very challenging to prevent risks.

As Miami pool accident lawyers, our legal team works with victims to help them recover the damages they are owed because a homeowner or business failed to take every pool safety action they could to prevent accidents and injury. Take into consideration what this may mean for you.

Why Pool Safety Month Matters in Florida

Florida is warm enough for pool fun nearly all year long, and that in itself increases the risk of injuries from these recreational spaces. In 2021, Florida ranked 4th in the U.S. for the unintentional drowning death rate for children between the ages of 9 and 17. It ranked 5th in the nation for those over the age of 18.

May is the start of the peak swimming season here in Florida. That means more property owners are opening up their pools and preparing for the season. This makes now the most important time to increase awareness. Doing so could prevent devastating injuries and deaths.

Common Pool-Related Accidents in Miami

Pool accidents happen for many reasons, though nearly all are preventable. Everyone is at risk of serious and even fatal outcomes. Consider some of the most common types of accidents in Miami pools.

• Drownings and near-drownings: These are specifically high among children who see a pool as an enticing feature in a yard and wander in.
• Slip and fall accidents: The surfaces around the pool can be highly dangerous. If not well maintained, those surfaces increase the risk of injuries to the head and spinal cord from falls.
• Diving injuries: Diving can seem fun, but unless it is done properly with ample safety precautions, it can be risky. Diving in a pool that is not large or deep enough increases the risk of serious injury and fatalities.
• Electrocution: Faulty pool lighting and electrical wiring can cause electrocution just by someone walking near the pool and stepping on a live wire.
• Entrapment injuries: In some situations, victims suffer serious injuries and fatalities as a result of entrapment, such as hair or limbs being caught in the drain, causing them to be unable to get to air.

Florida Pool Safety Laws You Should Know

Swimming pool safety laws in Florida aim to reduce risks to victims. Understanding these laws is an important part of providing drowning prevention in Miami. Consider the following.

The Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act is at the heart of this process. Among the rules are:

• All pools must have a pool fence that has a self-closing, self-latching gate. It must enclose the entire pool and provide no direct access to the pool.
• An approved pool cover must be installed that is properly fitted to the pool. If a simple canvas is used to cover the pool, it becomes a drowning hazard. These covers are very commonly the cause of entrapment when a child gets into the water.
• Alarms on the door and windows leading out into the pool area are also a requirement. This aims to alert to the risk.
• A self-closing, self-latching device must be on all doors that lead to direct access to the pool from the home. Additionally, the release mechanism for these door locks must be no lower than 54 inches from the floor.

Public pools must also meet safety standards, and that includes all of the above, along with having licensed guards in place. In situations where any of these rules are violated, the property owner could be liable for unsafe conditions or a lack of supervision.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Pool Injury?

A variety of parties may be at fault in such a situation. When you get pool injury legal help in Miami, our attorneys will help sort through the implications of your situation to determine who might be responsible. Examples include:

• Homeowners who do not have a secured pool.
• Property managers of apartment complexes, hotels, or other shared spaces who do not provide proper supervision or a secure pool area
• Staff at public or private facilities, including gyms, social clubs, and schools, all of which must provide safe spaces and supervision
• Product manufacturers, such as defective pool equipment or safety gear, cause the injuries you sustain.

What to Do If a Pool Accident Happens

If you or your family member is in an accident in a pool, consider the following steps:

• Get medical care now. Even if the injuries seem minor or you are suddenly not coughing.
• Document the accident scene. Take photos of the area. Also, ask any witnesses to provide their name and contact information.
• Inform the property owner or facility manager of what happened. In most situations, this will mean they alert their insurance company to the incident.

Contact a Miami personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Our Miami pool accident lawyer goes to work building a strong case for you.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

There are numerous ways a personal injury attorney can help you. Some examples include:

• Investigating pool safety violations or negligence that could make the owner responsible.
• Help you recover compensation fo
• r the medical bills you have, along with other losses, such as those for long-term care and pain and suffering.
• Handle the insurance company for you, reducing the frustration you have to face along the way.

Contact Our Florida Drowning Injury Attorney

Schedule a free consultation and case evaluation with our legal team now. At ABOGADAS305, we offer the resources you need, including bilingual support and virtual consultations. Learn more about your rights after a pool accident without any risk to you. Call 1-877-305-3055 now to set up some time to discuss what happened, who you believe is at fault, and what your long-term injuries and losses are.

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