Wisconsin is well-known for its harsh winters. At the same time, it can be a great place for swimming in the summer. According to data cited by RubyHome, there are approximately 51,000 swimming pools in Wisconsin. Many of those swimming pools are residential pools. As great of a recreational activity as swimming can be, it also has the potential to be dangerous if the proper safety precautions are not taken. The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that around 200,000 people are treated in hospitals nationwide for swimming pool accidents each year. In this article, our Wisconsin personal injury lawyer highlights four of the most common types of swimming pool injuries.
Sprains and Strains
Many swimming pool accident injuries are caused by slip and falls. Sprains and strains can happen in a swimming pool fall accident. They can also happen in other contexts in or around a pool, such as due to improper diving techniques. A sprain happens when a ligament is overstretched or torn. On the other hand, a strain involves damage to muscles or tendons. These injuries frequently occur when individuals slip on wet pool decks, twist their ankles on uneven surfaces, or land awkwardly while jumping into the pool. Young children and older adults are especially at risk. These injuries can vary widely in their severity—some only need rest to recover, others need long-term care.
Broken Bones
Broken bones in or around a swimming pool often result from falls on hard surfaces, collisions with pool edges, or diving into shallow water. Slippery decks and ladders can create hazardous conditions that make serious fall accidents—the ones that can cause broken bone injuries—all the more likely to occur. A swimmer could suffer a broken arm, leg, ribs, or even a facial fracture. The severity of the injury depends on the impact force and the part of the body affected. All broken bones are medical emergencies. Immediate care is a must.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) in swimming pools often occur due to diving accidents, slips and falls, or forceful collisions. A head injury can result from diving into shallow water, hitting the pool bottom, or colliding with another swimmer. Slips on wet surfaces can also lead to head trauma if the person strikes the deck or hard pool structures. TBIs range from mild concussions to severe brain damage that can cause long-term or permanent cognitive, physical, or emotional impairments. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life-threatening if it happens while a person is inside of a pool. There is a risk of drowning. Some drowning accidents are preceded by head injuries.
Drowning
Drowning is the most serious and life-threatening swimming pool accident, occurring when a person is unable to breathe due to submersion in water. It can happen silently and quickly, especially with young children or inexperienced swimmers. Common causes include lack of supervision, deep or unsafe water conditions, entrapment in pool drains, or swimming under the influence of alcohol. Notably, there are drowning incidents that are not fatal. However, near-drowning incidents can lead to oxygen deprivation that can cause permanent brain damage.
Recovering the Maximum Compensation for a Swimming Pool Accident
Pool owners—residential and commercial—have a duty to keep their pool in reasonably safe and secure condition. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for an accident through a premises liability claim. Under Wisconsin law, injured victims have the right to seek compensation from the full extent of their damages from the at-fault party. Our Wisconsin premises liability lawyers fight hard to help injured victims secure the maximum financial recovery. Compensation may be sought for:
- Ambulance transportation;
- Emergency room treatment;
- Hospital bills;
- Medications;
- Medical devices;
- Physical therapy;
- Loss of wages;
- Loss of earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death.
How the Premises Liability Team at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler Can Help
Swimming pool accidents can cause catastrophic, even life-threatening harm. These can be challenging legal cases. At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, we handle the full range of premises liability claims, including swimming pool accidents. Our firm advocates tirelessly for the injured and the disabled. With millions in compensation secured for the injured and disabled, our verdicts and settlements explain what we can do for swimming pool accident victims in Wisconsin.
Contact Our Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawyer Today for a Free Case Review
At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our Wisconsin premises liability attorneys have the skills and experience to handle all types of swimming pool accident injuries. Give us a phone call at 608-784-4370 or connect with us online for a free, no strings attached initial case review. With legal offices in La Crosse, Eau Claire, and Onalaska, we represent swimming pool accidents victims and their families throughout the surrounding region in Wisconsin and Minnesota, including in Chippewa.