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Orange County Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys

Cases of drowning and other preventable injuries

BISNAR | CHASE has represented numerous families and individuals that have suffered severe injuries or death in Orange County swimming pool accidents. Most swimming pool injuries occur because of improperly designed and constructed pools, failure to properly secure a pool from small children, and failure to maintain the swimming pool in good condition.

Swimming accidents claim the lives of over 1,000 children each year, and tragically, swimming pools account for over 1/3 of those fatalities. Thousands of adults will also die or suffer catastrophic injury as a result of swimming mishaps. As you can imagine, with the hundreds of thousands of swimming pools in California, our state is second only to Florida in swimming pool related injuries and deaths in the United States.

Adequate Safety and Prevention

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has provided the following guidelines for swimming pool safety.

• Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of protective devices, such as door alarms and latches. Emphasize the need for constant supervision.
• Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated watcher" to protect young children from pool accidents. Adults may take turns being the "watcher." When adults become preoccupied, children are at risk.
• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool area.
• Do not allow a young child in the pool without an adult.
• Do not consider young children to be drown-proof just because they have had swimming lessons. Children must be watched closely while swimming.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Babysitters and other caretakers, such as grandparents and older siblings, should also know CPR.
• Keep rescue equipment by the pool. Be sure a telephone is poolside with emergency numbers posted nearby.
• Remove toys from in and around the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children to the pool.
• Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.

Liability Claims Linked to Pools

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a swimming pool accident in Orange County, you may be able to recover your damages for negligence in various ways.

A "PREMISES LIABILITY" claim may be filed against a negligent pool owner for not complying with certain regulations. For example:

• Orange County regulations state that a swimming pool (a structure holding more than 18 inches of water) must be completely enclosed by a fence of not less than 60 inches in height.
• Spas and hot tubs must have a standard form of cover over them when not in use.

A "PRODUCT LIABILITY"

claim may be filed against a manufacturer or designer of a pool or spa or any substandard part used in its manufacture. For example:

• The National Pool & Spa Institute (the association to which most pool manufacturers and designers belong) has been found responsible for incorrect pool design resulting in many catastrophic pool related injuries.
• The CPSC has recalled a faulty spa drain cover that is responsible for "body entrapment" resulting in serious injury and death. For more information on product recalls, click on www.cpsc.gov

Other "NEGLIGENCE" claims may be filed against the pool owner. For example:

• Leaving small children unattended in a pool - a child can drown in a matter of seconds--in the time it takes to answer the phone.
• Allowing intoxicated guests to use a pool - forty percent of all drowning incidents occur on Saturdays and Sundays and often during social gatherings.

At BISNAR | CHASE Orange County Attorneys, we have the experience and resources to properly handle lawsuits against the owners and operators of public and private swimming pools, spas and hot tubs.

If you have been seriously injured in a swimming pool accident, you need the advice of an experienced Orange County Swimming Pool Injury Lawyer. Call BISNAR | CHASE today for your FREE CONSULTATION or click here to fill out our convenient and confidential on-line case evaluation form.

800-561-4831

"WHEN RESULTS COUNT - COUNT ON BISNAR | CHASE"

HOLDING WRONGDOERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DAMAGES THEY CAUSE SINCE 1978

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BISNAR | CHASE 2006-2010 - Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers from more than 60 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. BISNAR | CHASE has received this award for three consecutive years.

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