Though many people may not be aware of it, pool drains actually pose a considerable threat for pool users – especially for young children.  While these features are necessary to keep the area sanitary and clean, poor installation, maintenance, or use of them may result in a tragic and deadly accident.  Because this danger posed such a persistent threat to pool users, a federal law was passed in 2007 mandating that all public pools and spas install drain covers.  Failure to comply with this regulation may hold the pool owner liable for any drain-related injuries that occur.

Pool Drain Injuries

Pool drains pose a number of life-shattering threats to those who have an unfortunate encounter with them.  These include the following dangers:

Entrapment: Having a body part get sucked up against the drain and being unable to free oneself; this may result in drowning
Hair Entrapment: Having one’s hair sucked up against the drain and being unable to free oneself; this may result in drowning
Evisceration/Disembowelment: Having one’s intestines pulled out of the body by a pool drain suction force; this bodily damage is irreparable and may result in death

Children in particular are at risk of suffering a pool drain injury because once sucked into these structures, they lack the strength to pull themselves away.  It only takes minutes for a trapped child to drown.

Contact Us

If someone you love has died as a result of a pool drain accident, then you may have the right to take legal action against the party responsible for maintaining the area.  Contact the Jacksonville personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Don Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to learn more about your legal options.