During the summer months, people across Connecticut enjoy spending time at swimming pools in backyards, parks and other venues. Unfortunately, accidents can happen, usually due to someone’s failure to exercise due caution. Each year, thousands of pool users suffer serious injuries. Fatal accidents, including drownings, also occur, often with children as the victims.

Swimming pool injuries have multiple causes. Liability for victims’ damages can fall on various parties. Depending on the facts and circumstances, the pool owner or operator or another user may be held responsible. In other cases, liability may attach to the seller, manufacturer or installer of a pool or one of its components.

Pool users may be entitled to damages for injuries sustained through any of the following causes:

• Lack of proper fencing or covering — A pool owner or operator may be held liable for injuries a child sustains at the pool, even if the child was trespassing. There must be adequate measures taken to keep unsupervised children out of the pool area, such as by constructing a fence with a locked gate or installing a protective pool cover.
• Dangerous surfaces — Slips and falls may occur as a result of water buildup due to poor drainage on surfaces adjacent to a pool. Beverage or food spills can also create hazards. Cracks in a patio, loose planks in a deck and other types of obstructions can cause pool users to trip and fall.
• Horseplay and improper diving — Swimmers who fail to exercise normal caution endanger others in and around the pool. Pushing, pulling or deliberately submerging another swimmer can cause a serious or even fatal accident. Misusing diving boards or diving into a crowded part of the pool poses risk of harm.
• Intoxication or drug use — Swimming while under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be dangerous or fatal to the user and could cause harm to others.
• Failure to supervise — Pool injuries and particularly drownings often befall children or unskilled swimmers. Small children should wear flotation devices. Adequate supervision should be in place, including lifeguards at public pools or other large swimming facilities.
• Improper cleaning — Pools must be properly cleaned to prevent bacterial and viral illnesses. If a swimmer becomes sick, the owner or operator of the pool may be liable.

Sometimes, a flaw in the design or manufacture of the pool or of a diving board, slide or other component or related device may lead to an injury-causing accident. The victim or their family may bring a product liability suit against the manufacturer, seller or installer.

If you or a family member suffered a swimming-pool injury, it is essential to retain a capable attorney who can help you recover the compensation you deserve. The lawyers at Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. have extensive experience handling personal injury cases throughout Connecticut. To schedule a consultation at our Hamden or East Haven office, call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.