The days are getting warmer and many of us are ready to spend some quality time outdoors. As much as I’m looking forward to all the pool parties and barbecues that summer brings — and believe me, I am — I also want to make sure that anyone hosting an outdoor gathering understands the responsibility they have to keep guests safe.
Many of the cases our personal injury lawyers take on involve premises liability, a legal concept that comes up when swimming pool injuries and other accidents take place on someone’s property. Some of the best parts of spring and summer — pool parties and trampoline sessions, namely — can involve premises liability claims.
Own a pool or a trampoline? Here’s what you need to know.
Swimming Pool Injuries & Premises Liability
Swimming is an enjoyable outdoor activity for children and adults alike, but a day at the pool can quickly become dangerous — especially for little ones. Drowning is a top injury-related cause of death for children between 1 and 14.
In premises liability cases, pools are considered “attractive nuisances,” which means that pool owners can be held responsible for injuries if their pool is not sufficiently safeguarded. In fact, even if someone trespasses on your property to use your pool, you may still be liable for his or her injury.
If you have a pool, my advice to you is to:
- Protect your pool from trespassers with a sturdy fence and a solid lock.
- Have a first aid kit and automatic defibrillator accessible at all times.
- Always supervise anyone using your pool.
- Maintain equipment, including ladders, stairs, slides, diving boards, and drainage systems.
Trampoline Safety & Liability
For many kids, the end of the school year means trampoline time. Unfortunately, this activity is hardly a safe alternative to swimming — In 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that more than 103,500 kids under 18 went to the ER due to trampoline accidents. As a personal injury lawyer, I’m seeing more and more premises liability cases that involve collisions or falls. They can be quite serious, leading to neck injuries, back injuries, and even brain damage or paralysis.
Like a pool, a trampoline can be considered an attractive nuisance, and it’s ultimately your responsibility to keep your yard locked and well-protected from anyone who might want to go for a jump. Renters and homeowners with trampolines must let insurance companies and landlords know.
Our Memphis Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
For more than 30 years, we have helped people in Memphis who were injured because of others’ negligence. I hope that the information we have provided here can help keep your family safe, but accidents happen and we are here for you when they do.
If you think you have a personal injury case, our team of attorneys will fight for you and the compensation you deserve. Call (901) 327-1212 today for a free consultation or contact us online.