Jacksonville Pool Injury Attorney

Pool and Water Safety

One of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is assuming that because lightning is far off in the distance or that thunder is faint, they are safe in their pool. This is patently untrue. Lightning has been known to strike objects as far as 10 miles from its cloud. Because of this, lightning is an exceptionally dangerous part of nature.

People in and around pools should evacuate the area as soon as lightning is seen or thunder is heard. While a pool itself may be a relatively small structure, it is still an open area. In addition, there are a number of items around a pool, both above and below ground, that can conduct electricity. A bolt of lightning can strike a fence post, telephone pole, electric pole, or anything else around a pool. Once there, it can easily be carried into the ground and through the pumps, wires, and pipes that surround a pool. This can allow a single bolt of lightning to affect all or most of the people around a pool area.

Indoor pools pose some of the same risks. While there have not been any reports of people being killed by lightning in an indoor pool, there are countless examples of individuals who have been on the phone or taking a shower when something nearby is struck by lightning and that individual has been affected by the lightning. So while there are no reports, isn't it better to be safe than sorry?

Pools that are both indoor and outdoor should be treated as an outdoor pool since the wiring, pipes, and water both go from outdoor to indoor.

If you have been injured in a pool by lightning or some other feature, please contact Jacksonville pool injury lawyer Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455 to discuss your case and to determine your legal options.