NC Swimming Pool Accidents

Neighborhood and backyard swimming pools are a source of summertime recreation for many U.S. children and adults. Unfortunately, those facilities also carry a high risk of injury and fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,582 people drowned in the United States in 2005, the latest year for which numbers have been reported.  One of every four drowning victims is 14 years old or younger, according to the CDC, and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14.

Drowning occurs for a variety of reasons. Chief among them for young children is a lack of barriers around neighborhood pools and a lack of supervision by adults. Among children ages 1 to 4, most drowning occurs in residential swimming pools. A drowning can happen almost instantly. Most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home and had been out of sight less than five minutes. Barriers and pool fencing are vital to prevent children from gaining access to the pool area without permission. When homeowners fail to provide adequate barriers or fencing, or fail to supervise children using their pools, they may be liable for any injuries or deaths that result.

Public pool rules are required to visibly post rules that warn users of the dangers of running or diving in shallow water.  If there are no lifeguards available in public pools, signs must be posted stating so. North Carolina law requires that a telephone capable of directly dialing 911 or other emergency notification system be provided and accessible to all pool users within 300 feet of the pool. Public pools must be kept free of obstructed walk ways, and sidewalks and machinery must be properly maintained.  Public pools are also required to keep an adequate amount of chemicals in the water to prohibit growth of microorganisms.

Private pool owners are required to inform any visitors of known dangers such as broken ladders and trip hazards.  Companies who install home pools are required by building codes in most North Carolina cities to also install fencing.  Homeowners who install their own pools can get away without installing a fence but that safety measure is strongly encouraged.  A swimming pool is considered to be an 'attractive nuisance' because children are strongly attracted to them. To avoid liability for swimming pool accidents, the owner must take all necessary steps to prevent accidents, such as building an adequate barrier around the pool.

While drowning is the highest injury associated with swimming pools, other serious injuries can occur in or around the water.

Swimming pool accidents include:

• Sprains
• Broken bones
• Neck or spine injury
• Head injury
• Brain damage
• Exposure to high levels of chemicals
• Electrical shock

If you or someone you love has been injured in a swimming pool accident in Raleigh, Wake County, or anywhere in North Carolina due to another's negligence, the Raleigh swimming pool accident lawyers of Hardison & Associates are here to help. You can contact us by calling (800) 434-8399 or you may contact us online. We have offices conveniently located in Raleigh, Dunn, Fayetteville, Southern Pines, Durham, and Wilmington.

The initial consultation is free.  Senior partner Ken Hardison has been serving the people of North Carolina for over 26 years. Our Raleigh swimming pool accident attorneys and staff fully understand the complexity of the personal injury laws in the state.  We prepare each case as if it is going to court and we fight to achieve maximum compensation for each of our clients.

> Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury

> Personal Injury Articles

> Glossary of Personal Injury Legal Terms