With Labor Day quickly approaching, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers of swimming pools. Swimming pool accidents can cause serious physical, emotional, and financial burdens that can last a lifetime. If you were injured in a swimming pool as a result of another’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced New Jersey personal injury attorneys at Stathis & Leonardis, LLC today to learn more about your options.
What are the common causes of swimming pool accidents in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, pool owners, like all other property owners, have a duty to ensure that their property is safe for anyone who uses it. If a pool owner fails to keep the conditions on their property safe, and an accident occurs as a result, a property owner may be held liable. This can be referred to as pool owner negligence. Some examples of swimming pool owner negligence include:
- Failing to ensure all barriers, alarms, and covers are installed around the pool area
- Failing to tell others not to use electronic devices in the pool
- Neglecting children by leaving them unsupervised while swimming
- Failing to ensure everyone is swimming sober
- Failing to place “wet floor” and other hazard warning signs when necessary
- Failing to ensure all children unable to stand in the water are wearing the proper floatation devices
- Failing to warn all parties swimming that there are no safe diving zones
Can I pursue legal action after a swimming pool accident?
In order to have a successful personal injury claim, you must be able to prove that there was an act of negligence that resulted in the swimming pool accident. To best show this, it is important to take the following steps immediately after your accident:
- Call 911 – A police will file an accident report and dispatch an ambulance.
- Take photos and videos of the scene of the accident, including the hazardous conditions that caused the accident to occur.
- Collect contact information from any potential witnesses to the accident. Witness testimony can be beneficial to your future legal claim.
- Seek medical attention to ensure that your injuries are properly treated. Ask your doctor to provide you with medical documentation pointing to the origin and severity of your injuries.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney that can help you gather more evidence that can be key to your case.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in New Jersey?
The state of New Jersey has imposed a two-year deadline for an injured party to file a personal injury claim. This deadline, known as the statute of limitations, means that you have two years from the date of your swimming pool accident to file a personal injury claim. If you fail to do so, you will likely lose the opportunity to obtain the compensation you deserve. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to ensure you are promptly meeting all of your deadlines.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED NEW JERSEY FIRM
Stathis & Leonardis, LLC is an experienced personal injury law firm in Middlesex County, New Jersey that is committed to helping clients who have been hurt due to another party’s negligence. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident or were injured on another person’s property, please do not hesitate to contact our firm today.
