Many in the Valley consider this time of year to be one of the best to call Phoenix home because the weather is so pleasant and days where the temperature hits triple digits are relatively rare. But with the late spring weather comes some potentials for dangers, and chief among them may be the threat posed by swimming pools in Arizona. The state has a very high ratio of private pools per individual home and also has a number of public pools accessible to numerous residents of the Valley. As such, swimming pool accidents pose a threat to many in Phoenix and not just those with small children.
The laws governing swimming pools and access to them leave little wiggle room because they are designed to keep adults and children as safe as possible. They vary somewhat depending on where in the Valley the pool is located but several requirements remain consistent: pools must be enclosed by a fence, wall, or otherwise; usually the gates that allow access to the pools must be self-latching; and pools should not pose an unreasonable threat to safety.
Despite these requirements, swimming pool accidents and drownings happen annually and result in numerous injuries and deaths. If you or your family member has been the victim of a pool accident or if someone you love was killed in a swimming pool, you may be entitled to obtain financial compensation for your losses and damages, though no amount of money can ever be adequate when someone loses their life. Consulting with a Phoenix personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and what steps may need to be taken to get the relief you deserve.
Tragedy struck in Phoenix yesterday afternoon when a four-year-old boy was found unresponsive in a swimming pool. The child was pulled from the pool by a teenager who began CPR and emergency crews were notified. EMS officials transported the child to an area hospital but unfortunately, his injuries were too extreme and the boy lost his life as a result.
Authorities have confirmed that there was no fence or alternative barrier around the pool area though they have not stated whether that is in violation of laws in the area. At this time, it appears that the child was under the care of a family friend and not his parents when the friend, an adult, lost track of the child and he presumably entered the pool.
Swimming pool accidents are a serious problem in the country and especially in the Phoenix area. When they occur, they can leave a victim with a lifelong need for medical care and treatment, causing medical expenses that can add up to millions of dollars. But in even more tragic instances, a child or an adult is killed in a pool and may leave behind a family and loved ones who will never be the same.
If your life has been affected by a swimming pool drowning in the Phoenix area, call the personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. today toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191 and let us provide you with a free case consultation. There is no obligation on your part for speaking with one of our attorneys and everything discussed will be kept confidential.
At Abels & Annes, P.C., we believe in fighting for the injured, and we want to fight for you. If you have questions or if you need help, please call us today and let us get to work on your case.
Prior Blog Entry:
SUV Accident Ends in Arizona Canal, Phoenix Injury Lawyer Blog, published April 24, 2015.
Resource:
4-year-old boy dies after being pulled from Phoenix swimming pool, by Christina O’Haver and Erika Flores, CBS5AZ.com, published April 26, 2015.