Monthly Archives: May 2024


Things to Consider Regarding Your Swimming Pool Liability

Things to Consider Regarding Your Swimming Pool Liability

Let’s look at swimming pool liability and what you can do to reduce it. If you have a pool in your backyard, it is great for entertaining guests and beating the heat, but it also increases your personal liability. When you have guests over and an accident happens in your pool, you could be at risk for a personal injury lawsuit.

To reduce your swimming pool liability, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Build a Fence. In most townships and counties, private swimming pools require a fence. If your township or county does not require, your pool should be enclosed with a fence, especially one that is difficult for children or others to climb.

A fence is necessary to reduce the risk of injury or accidental drowning. To protect your swimming pool liability your fence should also include:

Gates that automatically shut. A spring-loaded gate will close on its own, so you don’t have to worry about someone accidentally leaving it open allowing a small child to wander unattended into the pool area.

Latches that are childproof. When you install latches, place them on the inside of the fence near the top, so that children cannot gain access to them without an adult.

See-through panels. Most people install fences for privacy, but when you have a pool, being able to see your pool from the house or other parts of your property allows you to know if anyone is near the pool unattended.

Pool covers. Investing in a complete pool cover not only cuts down on maintenance but will help prevent accidental drownings. Install a pool cover that can be attached to the side of the pool deck, making it taut and impenetrable.

Train household members in CPR and basic first aid. All members of your household should be trained in CPR and basic first aid. Drowning is not the only risk associated with pools, there are also head injuries, scrapes, cuts and limb injuries due to pool drains.

Clean up and store pool toys when not in use. When your pool is not in use, it is important to put away all pool floats and toys, so that children are not tempted to use them.

Homeowner’s Insurance. Your homeowner’s insurance should include coverage for any potential accidents associated with the pool. A $1 million umbrella policy in addition to your homeowner policy is the recommended minimum.

At Westmoreland Vesper & Quattrone, we specialize in personal injury, wrongful death and commercial litigation. We have a long history of service to the local community dating back over 50 years. To date we have recovered well over $250,000,000 in compensation of damages for our clients and their families. For a free, confidential consultation, give us a call today at 609-645-1111.

Amusement Ride Injuries

Amusement Ride Injuries

Most people think that when amusement ride injuries occur, it is usually fatal or catastrophic, but that is not always the case. While the media gravitates toward those type of amusement park ride accidents because it makes for a good story, most ride injuries are non-fatal.

A 2014 study in the LA Times stated that dizziness, nausea and fainting were the most common ride injuries. These injuries account for almost 1 out of 5 amusement ride injuries. The study also pointed to the fact that injuries occur far more often on older amusement park rides than on newer ones. Generally, people suffer from head, neck and back injuries because of the motion of the rides like fast turns and drops. Injuries at amusement parks can be the result of roller coaster accidents, rides like Ferris wheels or swinging rides that malfunction, water rides and slides and wave pools.

Serious amusement ride injuries that can occur are:

  • Deadly falls
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Strokes and heart attacks
  • Brain aneurysms
  • Paralysis
  • Drowning
  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones and torn ligaments

If you or a loved one has been injured on an amusement park ride, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss the extent of your injuries. Your attorney will work with you to determine all liable parties in order to get you the compensation that you deserve. Call today for a free and confidential consultation. We can help!