Who is Responsible for Injuries in a Swimming Pool?

Each year, about 350 people drown in swimming pools, and thousands are injured. The reasons for these accidents vary. Some people simply do not know how to swim. This is especially true of young children who end up around a pool and fall in. Other children and adults die because they fall and strike their head, being knocked unconscious, or they suffer some other injury. Contact Snyder Heitman LLC to discuss a swimming pool accident involving a child or another beloved family member. We can discuss whether you can sue the pool owner or another defendant for compensation.

Reconstructing the Accident

Many swimming pool accidents are brought under South Carolina premises liability law. This law requires that property owners use reasonable care in maintaining their property for the benefit of visitors. Owners must also take precautions to prevent children from accessing the pool unsupervised. Children can fall into the water and drown, and the property owner could be liable.

To determine fault for the accident, we try to reconstruct what happened. We can rely on witnesses, videos (like security cameras at home), and medical evidence. This evidence can paint a picture of how someone ended up hurt in the swimming pool.

When someone dies, we cannot hear the victim’s perspective. Nonetheless, we need to reconstruct the final moments to determine why they drowned.

Often, liability for the accident rests with:

• The property owner. They might have failed to exclude children from the pool by having locked doors, a fence, or other barriers. They can be legally liable when a child accesses the pool and falls in. A property owner might also be liable for other defects in and around the pool, such as cracked or loose tiles which cause someone to slip.
• Babysitter/supervisor. Some children drown because of a lack of supervision. For example, a babysitter might be focused on her cell phone and not see a small child walking toward the pool. Or the babysitter goes inside and forgets the children are in the water; the children drown because they cannot get out of the pool on their own. A key legal question is whether the adult agreed to supervise the child.
• Pool manufacturer. Sometimes a product defect leads to an accident. A child might have a safety vest or other flotation device which malfunctions, causing a serious accident. The manufacturer could be on the hook for injuries, even death.

Reach out to our law firm. Any swimming pool accident involving children is serious. We know parents are feeling strong emotions during this time, so we can take over the case and begin compiling evidence.

Contact a Greenville Premises Liability Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Snyder Heitmann LLC represents clients in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Upstate South Carolina after they suffer bodily injuries. We have deep experience in property-related accidents and will analyze whether you can file a legal claim for compensation after a swimming pool accident. Call to set up a meeting with a member of our legal team today.

Source:

cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/Pool-or-Spa-Submersion-Estimated-Nonfatal-Drowning-Injuries-and-Reported-Drownings-2025-Report.pdf