Common Pool Injuries

Nine people drown every day in the United States, and one to four times that many are hospitalized for near-drowning experiences. Studies have found that placing a fence around home swimming pools decreases the risk for drowning by 50 to 90 percent. Not placing a fence around a residential pool can lead to the owner being held liable by personal injury lawyers.

Pool-cleaning hoses can easily trap a swimmer, wrapping around them to cause strangulation or drowning.

Diving board accidents most often occur at public pools. Broken bones, spinal injuries and neck injuries are the most common result of these mishaps.

There's a reason lifeguards everywhere, from Utah to Vermont, always tell children to not run at the pool. The slick surface makes it easy to slip and fall, which can lead to cuts and even broken bones.

There have been a few instances where swimmers have been electrocuted after coming in contact with pool lights that were improperly installed or maintained. In these cases, personal injury lawyers often are able to prove the pool owner's negligence.

Pool and hot tub drains have led to many injuries and even deaths over the years. These incidents have occurred when a swimmer's hair or other body part gets trapped in the suction drain, often leading to drowning deaths or other physical harm.

Pool covers are another reason why fencing in residential pools is important. Children have been known to become trapped in pool covers and drown when they are unable to escape and get out of the water.

Various chemicals are added to swimming pools to control pH levels and kill germs. However, injuries to swimmers may occur if too much chlorine is added.

Kevin Johnson writes for Adams Davis PC. He is a writer for Fusion 360, an advertising agency in Utah.