Denver Swimming Pool Accident and Drowning Lawyers

A: Common causes of drowning include incompetent lifeguard staff, inadequate or defective safety equipment, inadequate warning signs against diving, slippery pool decks, ineffective barriers around the swimming pool, homeowners negligence, defective swimming drains, electrical defects, contaminated water and lack of warning signs.

A: Swimming pools are wonderful additions to a property that are enjoyed by millions of people every year.  However, tragically over 200 young children drown in backyard swimming pools every year.[1]  The American Red Cross suggests owners make pool safety a priority by following these guidelines:

• “Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Completely surround your pool with a 4-feet high fence or barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Place a safety cover on the pool or hot tub when not in use and remove any ladders or steps used for access. Consider installing a pool alarm that goes off if anyone enters the pool.
• Keep children under active supervision at all times. Stay in arm’s reach of young kids. Designate a responsible person to watch the water when people are in the pool—never allow anyone to swim alone. Have young or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Ensure everyone in the home knows how to swim well by enrolling him or her in age-appropriate water orientation and learn-to-swim courses from the Red Cross.
• Keep your pool or hot tub water clean and clear. Maintain proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. Regularly test and adjust the chemical levels to minimize the risk of earaches, rashes or more serious diseases.
• Establish and enforce rules and safe behaviors, such as “no diving,” “stay away from drain covers,” “swim with a buddy” and “walk please.
• Ensure everyone in the home knows how to respond to aquatic emergencies by having appropriate safety equipment and taking water safety, first aid and CPR courses from the Red Cross.”[2]

A: Colorado has many public pool regulations under its Code of Regulations. Regulations include, but are not limited to, slope ratios, spa depth (maximum of four feet), wading pool depth (maximum of 18 inches), depth markers, diving board height and length, minimum competitive water depth (four feet), deck areas, overflow gutters, inlets, steps and ladders, suction cleaner, showers, and toilets.  Swimming Pools and Mineral Baths.

Additionally, every public swimming pool is required to have a fence of at least 60 inches in height, have self-closing and latching gates, which will latch at 54 inches in height, and the wrought iron fencing may not be more than four inches in width.  Swimming Pools and Mineral Baths. Furthermore, each entrance must be handicapped assessable and following local ordinances.

A: Yes.  Under the Colorado Product Liability Act, a plaintiff may sue a manufacturer for injuries relating to a defective and unreasonably dangerous product. In many swimming pool accident lawsuits, a faulty product or a defective design may be partly responsible for the death or injury. For example, defective swimming drains, insufficient warnings, poor pool design, or faulty gate latches are often credited to accidental drowning. In these instances, a product liability claim may be necessary to hold the manufacturers at fault.