When looking to beat the summer heat, fewer things feel better than jumping into a refreshing pool. If you’re a parent with a pool, then you’ve earned your title of “Coolest Parent on the Block” fair and square, but you may not realize how your responsibility increased because of it.
WHAT ARE THE PREMISES LIABILITY RULES?
When people enter your property, you have the responsibility of making sure your property is reasonably safe so that they don’t get hurt. This concept is known as premises liability.
If someone does get hurt on your property, you may be held legally liable for it. That means if the injured person pursues a lawsuit, they’d file a claim against your insurance. Your insurance would then pay for the injured persons’ damages, like medical bills and lost wages.
WHEN CAN I BE SUED?
Pool owners aren’t automatically liable for all injuries that happen on their property. It depends on the circumstances of the accident and injury, and each state has its own laws.
There are three types of people who enter your property: trespassers, social guests, and commercial guests, such as if you ran a hotel or business on your property. Pool owners are not liable for trespassers getting hurt on their property because they did not invite them (though there is a loophole; if the trespasser is a child).
Although you don’t have legal responsibility for trespassers, you do owe social and commercial guests a legal duty. There is a certain degree of care expected from you to protect your guests from getting injured on your property. If they were to get hurt, you would be liable.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-934-6555
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN CHILDREN GET HURT ON MY PROPERTY?
If your kids’ friends come over for a pool party, and an accident that results in an injury occurs, you may be held responsible. Pool owners must ensure they take pool-safety precautions so that young children who don’t understand the danger of drowning are kept safe if they happen to wander into the pool area. Install fences around your pool to protect young kids and yourself.
POOL SAFETY RULES
Taking extra measures to keep your pool safe is always worth it. Before your kids and their friends go swimming in your pool this summer, make sure they know the pool rules. Here are some ideas for your list:
- Allow kids to swim only with adult permission and supervision
- Ensure swimmers walk, not run, on the pool deck
- Keep flotation devices on hand for those who aren’t experienced swimmers
- Clean pool water so the bottom of the pool can be seen at all times
- Lock pool fences when the pool is not in use
Now that you have an idea of what pool rules you can put in place, let everyone know what they are, and then break out the sunglasses and sunscreen!
Our personal injury lawyers have 30 years of experience handling cases involving pool drownings and slip-and-falls. If you’d like more information on
pool-related injury
cases, contact our dedicated attorneys. Our no-obligation legal consultations are free and confidential. Call or e-mail us today!
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