Injured at a Swimming Pool in Georgia? Here’s How to Get Compensation

Many pool accidents are caused by horseplay. If a victim was engaged in rough, boisterous play when the accident happened, he or she may be found personally negligent for causing his/her own injuries. Examples of this might be ignoring wet spots, running on the pool’s deck, or diving into areas clearly marked as “no diving” zones. In cases such as these, the pool owner may not be held responsible for injuries.

If a minor suffers an injury in a pool accident, their parents or guardians may be held responsible for failing to supervise them. Should the parents or guardians have entrusted an organization or group to watch over their child, that entity might be liable for the accident. However, property or pool owners often have a lower likelihood of being held accountable for injuries to minors.

If lifeguards or designated supervisors are on duty and an injury occurs, the organization overseeing them may be held liable. To establish this, evidence must demonstrate that the supervisor was negligent in their duties. Negligence can manifest in supervisors being intoxicated or distracted. Tragically, in many pool drowning incidents, the quiet nature of the event coupled with a distracted or intoxicated supervisor can lead to the supervisors organization bearing the liability. If the homeowner was trusted to supervise, they would likely be held liable.

By their very nature, pool areas are just wet. You cannot expect the owners of the pool to maintain a constantly dry environment. Many of the slip and fall accidents that happen in pool areas happen as the result of horseplay. However, if the owner of the pool leaves a slippery surface on the deck after cleaning and does not post a risk warning, a case might be made for negligence if you have the evidence.