As most Florida residents know, swimming is a great way to cool off and beat the summer heat. And while swimming pools are great places to relax and cool off, they can also be quite dangerous. In fact, approximately three children die every day from swimming pool accidents, with many more suffering serious injuries. Sadly, many of these deaths and injuries are caused by the negligent behavior of pool owners. If you or a loved one have suffered a swimming pool injury in Florida, please review the information below, and contact a Florida personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your compensation options.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit following a swimming pool injury?
If you or a family member have been injured in a swimming pool accident in Florida, you have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If a loved one died as a result of an injury suffered in a swimming pool, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Any lawsuits filed outside of these time limits will be dismissed. Therefore, if you or a loved one have suffered a swimming pool injury within these timeframes, please contact a Florida personal injury attorney immediately.
How is liability determined in a Florida swimming pool injury case?
Liability in a Florida swimming pool injury case is determined based on the status of the individual injured in the accident. An individual may be classified as an invitee, licensee, or trespasser.
- Invitee – An invitee is a user of a public pool. Of the three categories of swimmers, invitees are owed the greatest duty of care by pool owners. Pool owners must take multiple precautionary steps to ensure that invitees aren’t injured while swimming.
- Licensee – A licensee is an individual who has the permission of a homeowner to use a private pool. A homeowner must warn licensees of any hazards associated with the pool that aren’t obvious.
- Trespasser – A trespasser doesn’t have permission to use a property owner’s pool. Therefore, unless the trespasser is a child, a pool owner does not owe any duty of care to a trespasser on his or her property.
Contact an experienced Pensacola personal injury attorney
If you or a family member have suffered a swimming pool injury in Florida, you need an experienced Florida personal injury attorney on your side. Located in Pensacola, Florida, Staples, Ellis + Associates, P.A., has over seventy years of combined experience representing accident victims in Northwest Florida and Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton Counties. If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident of any kind in Northwest Florida, please contact our office as soon as possible to set up a consultation with one of our talented personal injury attorneys.
Posted in: Personal Injury