Menu
Nothing beats diving into a crystal-clear swimming pool on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, a backyard oasis can become a nightmare in the blink of an eye. It only takes seconds for a victim to drown, and even if they can be resuscitated, they may end up with injuries that affect them for life.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in or around a swimming pool, Ross & Hill can help. Reach out to our swimming pool accident lawyers in New York today.
From 2020 to 2022, more than 4,500 people perished in drowning accidents — that’s 500 more drowning victims compared to 2019’s numbers. About 10 people drown every day in the U.S., and drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged one to four.
From 2018 to 2021, there were about 0.74 drowning deaths per 100,000 people in New York. In 2021, that works out to approximately 151 drownings.
Tragic stories of drowning accidents are on the rise throughout New York State. In July 2024, a seven-year-old boy perished after drowning in his family’s pool. And in April 2024, a five-year-old girl was found unresponsive after nearly drowning at a Queensbury, NY, water park.
Fatal drowning isn’t the only thing swimmers have to worry about. Even if a drowning victim is revived, they can suffer irreversible brain damage, making it impossible to ever enjoy a normal life again. Other swimming pool injuries include:
If you’ve suffered such injuries, call a swimming pool accident lawyer from Ross & Hill.
Swimming pool accidents can have many causes, including:
In New York, swimming pool accidents fall under premises liability. This legal doctrine states that property owners are responsible for ensuring that their properties are safe for guests, and that includes the swimming pool.
You can bring a claim against a pool owner if your injuries were caused by their negligence. Here are some examples:
To win your swimming pool lawsuit, you will first need to retain a swimming pool accident lawyer. Your lawyer will look for evidence that proves the pool owner acted negligently. Such evidence might include a lack of warning signs, inadequate supervision, poor lighting, slippery floors, and video surveillance of the accident.
Your attorney will also have to establish the elements of negligence. These include:
In a swimming pool accident claim, you may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages have a monetary value. They include things such as medical bills and lost income if you need to take time off work to recover from the pool accident.
Non-economic damages include things such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. If your loved one died in a pool accident, you can also sue for loss of companionship, loss of consortium, and loss of household services.
Swimming pool accidents are preventable. Follow these tips for a safe swim:
If you’ve been hurt in a swimming pool accident, the team at Ross & Hill is standing by to help with your premises liability claim. Reach out to us at (718) 855-2324 for a free consultation with a swimming pool accident lawyer.
Below, a drowning accident lawyer answers more questions about swimming pool accidents in New York.
One of the main reasons swimming pool accidents are on the rise is a lack of access to affordable swimming lessons. Inadequate supervision is another major cause of swimming pool accidents. Additionally, accidents often occur when a pool area is not gated or otherwise secure from access by children.
If someone dies in your pool, your homeowners insurance will usually cover related damages. If you’re not sure whether your policy covers swimming accidents, contact your homeowners insurance company to find out.
If you spot someone drowning, call for a lifeguard right away. If no lifeguard is nearby and the person is close to the edge of the pool, you can try to pull them out of the water. However, if the person is not close to the edge, do not dive in after them — a drowning person is likely to grab onto you for support, putting you at risk of drowning yourself.
Once the person is out of the water, check to see if they are conscious. If not, begin CPR.
The value of compensation for a swimming pool accident depends on the specifics of your case. Generally, if the victim died in a swimming pool accident, compensation will be greater than it would be if they sustained minor injuries. Call a swimming pool accident lawyer to find out the estimated value of your claim.
45 Broadway
Suite 1110
New York, NY 10006
Phone: 646-351-6222
16 Court Street
35th Fl
Brooklyn, NY 11241
Phone: 718-855-2324