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Houston Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

Legal Help for Pool Injuries and Drownings Across Texas

For Texas families, a day at the pool should be about fun, not danger. Unfortunately, pool accidents happen far too often, leaving people with severe injuries. Drownings and near drownings occur in backyard pools, community centers, and hotel swimming areas throughout the state. Our Texas drowning law firm has the knowledge and resources to help victims statewide, from Houston to small towns across Texas.

Pool related injuries can range from broken bones and cuts to traumatic brain injuries due to lack of oxygen in near drowning incidents. Some victims suffer spinal cord damage from diving accidents or head injuries from slipping on wet surfaces. These injuries often require extensive medical care and rehabilitation. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, our Houston swimming pool accident lawyers will work to get you the support and compensation you need.

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Common Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents

Most swimming pool accidents are preventable and happen because someone failed to keep the area safe. Understanding the common causes of pool accidents can help identify who may be at fault. Some of the leading causes include:

Lack of supervision

Without an attentive adult or lifeguard monitoring swimmers especially children accidents can go unnoticed until it’s too late. Many drownings happen simply because no one was watching the water at the critical moment.

Defective drains or equipment

Faulty pool drains, pumps, or other equipment can create dangerous conditions. For example, a broken or missing drain cover can produce a strong suction that traps swimmers underwater, leading to drowning or serious entrapment injuries.

Broken fences or gates

Pools should be enclosed by a secure fence with a gate that has an automatic locking mechanism to keep out unsupervised children. If a gate is broken or left unlocked, children can wander in and fall into the pool, often with tragic results.

Slippery surfaces

Wet pool decks and ladders can become extremely slippery if they are not designed or maintained with slip resistant materials. Many pool injuries happen when someone slips and falls hard on the concrete, suffering a concussion, broken bone, or deep cut.

Overcrowding

When pools are overcrowded or have too few lifeguards, accidents are more likely. Too many people in the water can lead to collisions and it becomes difficult to monitor every swimmer. In a busy public pool, a struggling swimmer might not be noticed in time to prevent injury or drowning.

Client Testimonial: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I was very pleased with the outcome of my case. Joel Gordon was never hard to reach and always had an answer to any question. He did a good job at keeping you updated with anything that went on. He goes out of his way to make sure his client is satisfied. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who has been in an accident.

– Kimberly Colindres

What to Do After a Swimming Pool Accident

Experiencing a pool accident or drowning incident is overwhelming, but the actions you take afterward are important for both health and legal reasons. Here are some steps to follow after a swimming pool accident:

Get Medical Help Immediately

The first priority is to get the injured person out of the water and call 911 if it’s a serious injury or a near drowning. If the victim isn’t breathing, have someone call 911 while you or another bystander start CPR if trained. Even if the person seems to recover, seek medical attention right away. A doctor should check for issues like water in the lungs (secondary drowning) or any injuries that may not be obvious at the scene.

Notify Authorities and the Property Owner

If the accident happened at a public pool, hotel, or apartment complex, report it to the pool management or lifeguard on duty immediately. For serious incidents, also call the police so there is an official incident report. Reporting the accident creates a record of what happened. Make sure the property owner or manager is aware of the incident – for example, if it’s a backyard pool at someone’s home, inform the homeowner. An official report and prompt notification can be important later if you pursue a legal claim.

Document the Scene

If possible, take photos or video of the pool area and any hazardous condition that contributed to the accident. Capture details like a broken fence latch, an open gate, lack of warning signs, defective equipment, or slippery conditions on the deck. Also, write down the exact location and time of the incident. If there were witnesses, get their names and contact information. This evidence can be very valuable for proving what happened, especially if conditions get fixed or change soon after the accident.

Avoid Making Statements or Apologies

In the immediate aftermath, try to stay calm and be mindful of what you say. Do not admit fault or make comments like “I should have been watching better,” even if emotions are running high. Such statements can be used against you later by insurance companies. It’s also wise to avoid posting about the accident on social media. When speaking with police or medical personnel, stick to the facts of what happened. You can politely decline to give detailed statements to insurance adjusters or the property owner until you have legal advice.

Consult a Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

Contact an experienced Houston swimming pool accident lawyer as soon as you can after the incident. A lawyer will advise you of your rights and can start an investigation immediately. Your attorney will handle communications with insurance companies on your behalf, which protects you from saying something that might harm your claim. Getting legal help early also means important evidence will be preserved and deadlines won’t be missed. Most personal injury lawyers (including our firm) offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee basis, so it costs nothing upfront to have your case reviewed by a professional.

Give our team a call today at 877-213-5004

Liability for Pool Accidents in Texas

In Texas, swimming pool accidents often fall under premises liability law. This means property owners and operators have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for guests and visitors. If they fail to meet that duty and someone is injured as a result, they can be held liable. Determining liability in a pool accident can be complex, because multiple parties might share responsibility depending on the situation. Some of the parties that could be liable in a Texas pool injury or drowning case include:

Private pool owners (homeowners)

A homeowner with a pool must ensure it is safe for invited guests and secured against unsupervised children. Texas even has an “attractive nuisance” doctrine requiring pool owners to take steps (like proper fencing and locked gates) to prevent children from accessing the pool. If a homeowner fails to maintain safe conditions and an injury or drowning occurs, they can be held liable. In most cases, the homeowner’s liability insurance would cover these accidents.

Apartment complexes and hotel owners

Businesses that provide a pool for residents or guests have a duty to maintain a safe environment. If an apartment complex fails to repair a broken gate or a hotel neglects basic pool safety measures and someone gets hurt as a result, the company can be held accountable. These businesses usually have insurance to cover injuries that happen on their property.

Pool maintenance companies

Sometimes a property owner hires a third party company to clean, maintain, or service the pool. If that company is negligent (for example, if they left the water chemicals unbalanced or did not fix a reported issue), it may share liability for any injuries that result from those conditions.

Lifeguards and pool staff

If a lifeguard or pool supervisor was on duty and failed to do their job properly, they (and their employer) could be considered negligent. For instance, a distracted or improperly trained lifeguard might miss a swimmer in distress. In such cases, the management entity that hired the lifeguard (such as the pool facility or municipality) can also be liable for poor training or supervision.

Product manufacturers or installers

If an accident was caused by a defective product or piece of equipment, the manufacturer or installer of that product could be liable. This can include situations like a faulty drain cover that causes a swimmer to get stuck, a pool light with bad wiring that electrocutes someone, or a ladder that breaks and leads to a fall. In these cases, a product liability claim might be filed in addition to claims against the property owner.

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How Our Houston Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers Can Help

Handling a swimming pool accident claim can be complicated, but our Houston swimming pool accident lawyers are here to make the process easier for you. When we take your case, we immediately begin a thorough investigation to build the strongest claim possible. We will gather evidence such as maintenance logs, safety inspection records, security camera footage, and witness statements to find out exactly how the accident happened.

Our legal team often works with experts in fields like pool engineering, safety code compliance, or medicine to prove negligence and demonstrate the extent of your or your child’s injuries.

We will identify all responsible parties and find all available insurance coverage, whether it is a homeowner’s policy, a business liability policy, or a manufacturer’s insurance. Our Houston swimming pool accident lawyers handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance companies so you do not have to deal with that added stress. We are skilled negotiators who fight to get you the maximum compensation possible for your claim.

The compensation we pursue can cover medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and in tragic drowning cases, wrongful death damages for the family. If the insurance company will not offer a fair settlement, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and argue your case in court. Throughout the process, we keep you informed and treat you with compassion and respect. You can focus on healing and taking care of your family while we pursue justice on your behalf.

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Wrongful Death

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Motorcycle Accident

1. Conduct a thorough investigation

We gather evidence including maintenance logs, safety records, photos of the pool area, security footage, and witness statements to determine exactly how the accident happened.

2. Consult with relevant experts

We work with professionals in pool safety, premises liability, engineering, and medical care to support your case and show how negligence caused the injury.

3. Identify all responsible parties

We determine whether liability falls on a homeowner, business, property manager, maintenance company, or equipment manufacturer, and pursue claims against everyone involved.

4. Handle all communications and paperwork

Our Houston swimming pool accident lawyers manage every aspect of your claim, including speaking with insurance companies, responding to requests, and protecting you from low settlement offers.

5. Handle all communications and paperwork

We calculate and demand fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future costs related to the accident.

6. Litigate if a fair settlement is not offered

If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and take your case to court to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Swimming Pool Accident FAQs

Houston Car Accident Lawyer - Joel A. Gordon

Can I sue for a hotel pool injury?

Yes, you can potentially sue for a hotel pool injury if the hotel’s negligence contributed to the accident. Hotels and resorts have a legal responsibility to keep their pool areas reasonably safe for guests. If you were hurt because the hotel failed to meet that duty for example, if the pool had no “swim at your own risk” sign and no lifeguard on duty despite having a deep end, or if they neglected to fix a known hazard like a broken ladder then the hotel could be liable. Our Houston swimming pool accident lawyers have experience with hotel pool injury claims and can investigate the circumstances of your accident. We will determine if the hotel management or owner was at fault and help you pursue compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit.

What if there was no lifeguard on duty?

A lack of a lifeguard does not automatically prevent you from taking legal action. Pool owners are not always required by law to have a lifeguard (many hotel and apartment pools operate without lifeguards and post “swim at your own risk” signs), but they still must maintain other safety measures. If there was no lifeguard and someone drowned or was injured, we will look at other factors: Were proper warning signs and depth markers posted? Was the pool gate locked or secured to prevent unsupervised access? Did the facility have life-saving equipment available (like life rings or reaching poles) and an emergency phone? Even without a lifeguard, a property owner can be found negligent if they failed to take reasonable steps to keep swimmers safe. Our Houston swimming pool accident lawyers will review the specifics of your case and advise you on your options. It is possible to hold the pool owner or operator accountable if the lack of a lifeguard combined with other safety lapses led to the accident.

How long do I have to file a swimming pool accident lawsuit in Texas?

In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases – including swimming pool accidents is two years from the date of the accident. If the incident resulted in a fatality, the family generally has two years from the date of the death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. It’s very important not to delay taking action. Critical evidence can disappear and witness memories can fade over time, so the sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better. There are some exceptions that could change the deadline (for example, claims against a government entity might have a different notice requirement, or cases involving a minor might extend the time limit), but in most situations, if you file a claim after two years have passed, it will likely be barred. To protect your rights, it’s best to consult with a Houston swimming pool accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. Your attorney will make sure your case is filed on time and all procedural requirements are met.

Contact a Houston Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer Today

Joel A. Gordon & Associates will help you understand your rights and what alternatives you have in proceeding with a case

If you or someone you love suffered a swimming pool injury or drowning accident, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. The legal team at Joel A. Gordon & Associates is ready to help you seek justice and financial recovery. Our firm has decades of experience helping injury victims in Houston and throughout Texas. We offer free initial consultations, and you will not pay any attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Call us today at 281-943-5555 or contact us online to speak with a Houston swimming pool accident lawyer about your situation. We are here to provide compassionate guidance and aggressive advocacy for you and your family during this difficult time.