With the weather warming up, people may visit the swimming pool to cool off and have fun with family and friends. Unfortunately, they can be the site of slip and fall accidents.
Common causes
The most common cause of a swimming pool slip and fall accident is a wet or slippery surface. Splashes of water, spilled drinks and faulty drainage can all cause hazardous conditions.
If the area around the pool is not properly maintained, that can also cause a slip and fall. This may include areas that are cracked or worn out and sections where there are loose tiles. The pool area should also have signs to warn swimmers about slippery surfaces and uneven ground.
Personal injury claim
If a pool guest is injured in a slip and fall accident, they may have a claim for compensation. There are several elements that they must prove.
The pool guest, the plaintiff, must show that the pool owner, the defendant, owed them a duty of care. The plaintiff must show that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to them, meaning that the defendant acted negligently or by omission which resulted in harm to the plaintiff.
The defendant’s actions or negligence must have directly caused or substantially contributed to the plaintiff’s injury. Finally, the plaintiff must have suffered actual damages like physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses or lost wages.
It’s important that the claim is filed timely. Generally, the personal injury action must be filed within two years from the date of the injury. If the plaintiff does not file a claim in this time frame, they may lose the right to seek compensation.