Summer in Illinois Requires Heightened Vigilance Against Swimming Pool Accidents
One of the best parts of summer is enjoying the warm weather by the side of a swimming pool. Kids stay busy and parents enjoy having the kids out of the house and tuckered out at the end of the day. However, pools also come with serious injury risks, as thousands of people, both children and adults, are injured in swimming pools every year in America.
Many of the children who are injured will face a long, uphill battle toward recovery. Their parents will likewise struggle with the healing process as they face expensive medical and rehabilitative treatment for their child, as well as the emotional burden of helping their child recover from their injuries. If you or your child are injured in a preventable Illinois swimming pool accident this summer, it may be helpful to know the basics of Illinois premises liability law and have the help of an experienced swimming pool injury attorney.
When Is a Pool Owner Responsible for an Injury?
The law in Illinois requires swimming pool owners to maintain their property, provide appropriate security around the pool, and keep the pool and the surrounding area free from safety hazards. This is true whether the pool is in a private backyard, an apartment complex, or a public swimming pool.
Pool owners have an additional burden of responsibility because their pool is considered an “attractive nuisance.” This means that people who are not capable of accurately assessing risks, especially children, will be drawn to the pool and the hazards it presents. Pool owners are therefore required to fence the pool and keep entrances secure and take other protective measures so children cannot easily trespass and injure themselves. If the property owner fails in his duty to properly care for the premises, someone gets hurt, and the injuries are financial (such as job loss, medical bills, etc.), the injured party may be able to sue the property owner for negligence.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Joliet, IL Swimming Pool Injury Lawyer
An injury at a neighbor or community swimming pool can turn a fun afternoon into a nightmare. If you or your child has suffered a serious injury because of improper safety measures at a swimming pool, schedule a free consultation with one of McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC’s Will County swimming pool injury attorneys. We have the resources and experience to investigate your situation and determine whether you are likely to have a case against a responsible party. Call us now at 815-727-0100 to schedule
Source:
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1244&ChapterID=21