If you or a loved one has been injured in a Chicago swimming pool accident, our personal injury law firm The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers, is here to help you. A Chicago swimming pool accident lawyer on our legal team can assist you and manage the personal injury legal process to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us for a free case evaluation.
Who Are the Most Frequent Drowning Incident Victims?
A swimming pool accident can impact anyone, but small children, young adults, and individuals with physical limitations are particularly vulnerable. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, while young adults often face higher risks in natural waters.
How Serious Is the Swimming Pool Drowning Problem in Illinois?
In 2024, 19 children died from accidental drownings, with incidents occurring in pools, lakes, rivers, ponds, and a bathtub.
“Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1–4,” according to the Centers for Disease Control. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates legal responsibility and requires the state’s 3,500 swimming facilities to meet water quality and safety standards.
Why Do Drownings Happen?
Swimming pool drownings and accidents happen due to gross negligence, including:
- Inadequate supervision, especially in residential swimming pools and public swimming pools
- Distracted adults not providing proper supervision
- Alcohol use in pool areas
- Inexperienced young swimmers and those with poor swimming skills
- Swimmers with health issues
- Environmental hazards like circulation entrapment
- Safety issues when pool owners fail to maintain their pools and provide proper safety equipment
Types of Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pool accidents can happen due to slips, trips, and falls on slippery surfaces or injuries from diving into shallow water. Medical emergencies like cardiac arrest or injuries from underwater collisions are also common. Diving boards, slides, defective equipment, poor maintenance, improper chemical use, and a lack of safety measures add to the risks, emphasizing the importance of strict safety protocols and regular upkeep.
Types of Injuries from Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pool accidents can cause a variety of injuries from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious swimming pool injuries, such as broken bones or head injuries (often from diving) or slip and fall accidents. Other injuries from swimming pools can include lacerations, spinal cord injuries (SCIs), internal organ harm, and paralysis.
Who Is Liable for a Swimming Pool Accident?
Injured parties may be able to seek compensation with a premises liability claim from swimming accidents. Holding negligent parties accountable under premises liability laws can include:
- Owners of properties like water parks
- Owners of public pools, hotel pools, and hot tubs
- Property owners of private pools
- Negligent lifeguards
- Manufacturers of equipment or pool chemicals
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Liability in a Swimming Pool Accident Case?
To prove liability and seek fair compensation for such negligence, you and your Chicago swimming pool accident attorney will need to gather evidence such as photos of the scene, eyewitness testimony, police reports, medical records, and maintenance or inspection logs.
What Are the Rights of Victims in Swimming Pool Accidents?
Victims of swimming pool accidents have rights under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130/2), which requires public and private pools to adhere to safety standards that minimize swimming pool accident injuries and risks.
The regulations may require fencing, pool rules signage, water depth markers, pool equipment, and staff training.
By Illinois law, pool owners can be held liable for injuries to children who enter without permission, expecting them to have precautions in place to prevent such an incident.
What Damages Are Available for Victims of Drowning Accidents?
Victims of drowning accidents or their families may be able to seek compensation with a personal injury lawsuit, including:
- Medical expenses, including hospital bills and ongoing treatment costs
- Lost wages from missed work due to injuries sustained
- Pain and suffering endured by the victim
- Emotional distress experienced by loved ones
- Funeral and burial expenses in fatal drownings
Call The Kryder Law Group, LLC Accident and Injury Lawyers
If a swimming accident results in serious injury or drowning, we’re here to help. Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about personal injury, wrongful death lawsuits, and how we can assist you during this difficult time.
With our experienced Chicago drowning accident attorneys by your side, you can trust that your right to take legal action to recover financial support will be fully protected. Proving negligence, we can hold responsible parties accountable for your losses.
(312) 223-1700