Indianapolis Personal Injury Blog

Swimming Pool Responsibility and Risks: What are your rights if a child drowns in a pool?

At last, warmer weather is here and many homeowners are preparing for the swimming pool season.  However, the enjoyment of a swimming pool also carries great responsibilities and risk. 

Each year, more than 300 children under the age of 5 die from accidental drowning.  Drowning is the 2nd cause of death of children under the age of 5 (auto accidents still rank number 1).  In addition to child wrongful death cases, more than 2,500 children are rushed to the ER each year for near-drowning accidents, some of which result in permanent brain damage.  The vast majority of these accidents occur in private swimming pools where as little as 5 minutes and 2 inches of water is all that was required for a child to drown.  States with a short window for outdoor swimming, such as Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico and Illinois, are not immune to swimming pool accidents.  These accidents happen in every state across the country.  
 
If you're a pool owner, or thinking about purchasing a pool, please read our library article that discusses some of the risks and misconceptions surrounding pool ownership and liability.