Don’t Settle For Less

Don’t Settle For Less

Pool Accidents in New York City Climb During Summer Months

On Behalf of | Jul 16, 2014 | Drowning Accident

Public and private swimming pools across the city provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the summer and beat the heat with family and friends. But pool accidents in New York City claim the lives of unsuspecting victims every year-senseless losses that, for the most part, could be avoided with the proper equipment, maintenance, and supervision.

Drowning and Partial Drowning

Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control show that the vast majority (75%) of individuals who drown in swimming pools are children under the age of 4 years.

A study published by the American Public Health Association discovered that 47% of drowning victims were black. Just 33% were white. (This study looked at individuals between the ages of 5 and 24 and didn’t account for younger children or older adults.)

75% of all drowning victims are male.

You may think of drowning as the result of horseplay or other unsafe behavior in and around swimming pools-diving boards come to mind-however, the two major contributing factors are lack of supervision (such as lifeguards, responsible adults, etc.), and the swimmer’s own inability.

Slip and Falls at the Pool

Slip and fall accidents at poolside can also have dramatic life-altering effects. Wet surfaces, broken tile, debris, or pool equipment (skimmers, hoses, etc.) let unattended can cause accidents in the blink of an eye. Bruises and scrapes are bad enough but broken bones, nerve damage, or even brain damage could leave victims with permanent disabilities.

There are a number of situational factors that can shift liability of any pool accident to the property owner. These include:

  • Lack of fencing around the swimming pool (the number one “safety factor” related to swimming pool deaths of children)
  • Lack of proper safety equipment in and around the pool area (rescue devices, life vests, reach poles, telephones)
  • Improper maintenance (broken drains/drain covers, broken pool ladders, inadequate lighting)
  • Inadequate or missing safety warnings

Liability for public pool accidents falls on the shoulders New York City, while private pool accidents would fall on the property owner. The City and individuals have a responsibility in general to keep their pool area safe, secure, and well-maintained. If you or a loved one has been injured, contact a New York City pool accident attorney today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.

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