Incident At Pool Hospitalizes 19 People

Saturday, December 15, 2018 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

We want to bring you a story from our area that happened in October because it highlights some dangers that occur in our area that people do not spend much time thinking about – pool accidents.

When Ventura County Firefighters responded to a call to a swimming pool in October, they did not expect to find so many people suffering from chlorine poisoning. In total, 19 people were sent to the hospital. Seven of those people had to be treated immediately and were transported by ambulance.

The injuries happened because excess chlorine was being pumped into the pool after residue was left in the chemical feeder. How did that happen? Was it due to human error?

We are thankful that everyone has made a full recovery since the incident, but it could have been much worse. We know those pool accidents can happen in a variety of ways. If you need a Ventura County pool accident attorney, you can count on the Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman to get the compensation you deserve.

What Can Happen

Pool accidents can cause a variety of injuries like the following:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken extremities
• Respiratory trauma

These injuries can occur due to unsafe conditions in and around the pool. Often, it is the negligence of pool owners and the people entrusted to care for the pool area who are to blame.

In the situation above, we see that the problem was chemical exposure. Chemicals used to clean and keep the pool ready for swimming should be used and stored appropriately by those tasked with using them.

Other times, problems are caused because pools do not have fences around them to prevent people, particularly children, from inadvertently wandering into them. Unused pools should be blocked off or covered.

Pool owners should also have proper signs displayed so that people know when and if a lifeguard will be on duty. Patrons should also be aware of the depth of the pool so they know the precautions they need to take.

There are times when drownings occur in pools due to a lack of appropriate safety measures. If you have lost a loved one in a pool accident, please seek qualified legal assistance to look into wrongful death claims as you move forward.

What You Can Do Now

If you or a loved one have been injured in a pool accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman, our team will begin investigating your incident as soon as you contact us. We want to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses. This can include:

• Coverage for medical bills
• Pain and suffering damages
• Possible punitive damages

If you need a Ventura County pool accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 805-983-2344.