Portland Swimming Pool Accident Attorney

We Handle Drownings
and Other Swimming Pool Accident Claims in Portland and Throughout Oregon

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Whether you use a public pool or have access to a private pool, swimming is a popular activity in Portland for exercise, sport, and recreation. Unfortunately, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental injury and death in the United States. Younger children who do not know how to swim are at the highest risk for swimming pool accident injuries, though drowning and near-drowning can happen to anyone at any stage in their life. If you or your child suffers injury due to unsafe conditions in or around a swimming pool, you should discuss your legal rights with an experienced Portland swimming pool accident lawyer today.

Injuries In 
Swimming Pool Accidents

Many swimming pool accidents result in the drowning of a victim. However, even if a swimming pool accident victim survives, they can be left with serious and life-changing injuries. Near-drowning occurs when a person is suffocating under water for a period of time and deprivation of oxygen can have severe effects on their health.

One of the most serious injuries that can result from near-drowning is an anoxic brain injury. This type of brain injury can result in the following:

• Coma;
• Persistent vegetative state;
• Cognitive impairments;
• Physical challenges; and/or
• Emotional and behavioral changes.

Anyone who is believed to have been nearly drowned should seek immediate medical attention for a possible brain injury diagnosis. Brain injuries require specialized treatment that may be necessary for the long-term. They can also leave victims with permanent impairments that can keep them from returning to work or even living on their own.

In addition to a brain injury due to suffocation, many people can suffer fractures, sprains, neck and back injuries, and many other conditions if they slip, trip, or fall around the pool. If a person slips and falls into the pool, they can suffer injuries from the fall itself and also from near-drowning.

Don’t miss out on these common personal injury mistakes.

Get the legal counsel you need to guide you through the process of filing an injury claim.

Negligence That 
Leads To Pool Accidents

Pool owners have the legal duty to follow all health and safety laws and to keep the premises of the pool in reasonably safe condition. Pool owners do not always comply with the rules, however, and the following are some common examples of negligence that can lead to serious pool injuries:

• Failing to have a proper barrier around a pool or hot tub that is at least four feet high;
• Failing to have a self-locking or latching gate for entry into the pool area;
• Having holes, gaps, or openings in the barrier that a child could get through;
• Not having proper depth markers or warning signs for “No Diving” or “Shallow Water”;
• Not having signs warning of no lifeguard on duty;

• Failing to have a proper barrier around a pool or hot tub that is at least four feet high;
• Failing to have a self-locking or latching gate for entry into the pool area;
• Having holes, gaps, or openings in the barrier that a child could get through;
• Not having proper depth markers or warning signs for “No Diving” or “Shallow Water”;
• Not having signs warning of no lifeguard on duty;
• Not using the appropriate chemicals;
• Not complying with Oregon state laws and regulations set out by the Oregon Public Health Division;
• Having drain covers in violation of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act;
• Having rough or sharp surfaces in or around the pool area;
• Leaving out equipment on the pool deck that could cause someone to trip and fall;
• Having slick surfaces around the pool;
• Failing to clean up broken glass or other dangerous hazards in the pool area;
• Failing to properly supervise small children who were under the care of the pool owner;
• Having unsafe diving boards, platforms, or other pool equipment.

If you can prove that a pool owner was negligent, you can recover for your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, other injury-related expenses, and more. If you have lost a loved one in a swimming pool drowning accident, you can file a claim for wrongful death and recover for your losses from the negligent party. A skilled swimming pool attorney can help you file a claim.