Florida Swimming Pool Diving Accidents

Every day, someone in the United States is injured in a swimming pool accident. Many of these victims are injured while diving; in fact, swimming pool diving accidents are some of the most deadly and dangerous types of swimming pool accidents, accounting for a large number of serious head and spinal cord injuries each year. Most diving accidents do not occur when someone is using a diving board; instead, about 90 percent of all swimming pool diving injuries and fatalities occur from a swimmer running and misjudging the distance into a pool or the depth of the water.

What Are The Factors That Contribute To A Swimming Pool Diving Accident?

There are several things that contribute to the severity of a diving accident. The slope of the surface under the water, for example, and the depth of the water can easily confuse a swimmer and cause a serious diving accident. Many divers mistakenly believe they have more room than they do when performing a trick dive or jump, resulting in serious head or neck injuries from striking the bottom.

Water depth is very difficult to judge accurately. Most swimming pool diving accidents take place in water that is less than 3.25 feet. Some experts advise that divers should have at least four feet of water, while others insist that the water should be twice the diver’s height before it is safe to dive. Additionally, the pool’s width may be as important as its depth, as many divers are injured by striking the side wall of the pool.

The presence of a diving board does not necessarily mean it is safe to dive. The height of the diver, the depth of the water and other factors may vary, causing some people to be able to dive safely while others cannot. It is never a good idea to assume that you can safely dive without the approval of a trained professional.

What Types of Injuries Are Sustained in Diving Accidents?

Diving accidents are often very serious. They can result in traumatic brain injuries, drowning and death. In many cases, the diver strikes his or her head on a solid surface such as the bottom of a pool; this can lead to unconsciousness and accidental drowning, often before others realize that something is wrong.

Who Is Responsible For A Diving Accident?

There are several questions that should be answered in determining who is responsible for a diving accident.

• Were warning signs posted near or around the pool that prohibited diving?
• What was the water depth at the time of the accident?
• Does the slope of the pool meet safety guidelines?
• What is the pools width?
• What were the lighting conditions?
• What was the water clarity at the time of the accident?
• Were others diving safely in the location prior to the accident?

Florida’s swimming pool laws require owners to barricade a pool behind a fence of at least four feet in height with working locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized entry. Property owners who fail to meet these minimum requirements may be liable for damages from injuries sustained by swimmers or divers, even if the victims were not invited onto the property.

The swimming pool diving accident attorneys at David & Philpot, P.L. can help determine who is at fault and what methods should be used to recover payment for damages, including medical bills and other expenses. Contact us today at 800.360.7015 or fill out our free case evaluation form for a free, no obligation consultation about your case.