Experts provide warning of popular summertime activity

It goes without saying that the Coronavirus pandemic has forced summer vacations to look a little bit different this year. With many families still working remotely and new travel restrictions put in place, more and more New Jersey residents are clicking pause on their annual vacations until it’s safe to travel. As a result, the pool industry has boomed. According to the NPD Group, pool sales have increased by 160% this year. However, this surge has caused several industry experts to speak up against the dangers that swimming pools and the current pandemic have presented. 

Surge in Child Drowning Incidents

According to the John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, child drowning incidents have increased by 150%. Back in May, the American Academy of Pediatrics spoke out about this surge and noted how caregivers may be distracted as a result of trying to juggle working from home, virtual learning and other routine responsibilities. Dr. Patrick Mularoni, a physician at the hospital said that this new onset of unique responsibilities and challenges could create more opportunities for children to leave the house and get to a pool or other body of water. 

In fact, a California mom and former EMT faced this very scenario last month after her daughter walked out of the house and went to the family pool while her father was working inside. Emily Friske, the girl’s mother, performed CPR on her daughter while waiting for emergency services to arrive. The Friske child was without a pulse for over twenty minutes. Upon arrival at the hospital, medical staff told the Friske family that their daughter may have suffered brain damage. Fortunately, she did not and has since made a full recovery, but this tragic tale shows just how quickly an accident can happen. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, those aged 14 years or younger are at high risk of injury from swimming pool accidents. Further research shows that non-fatal drowning injuries commonly cause brain damage that can result in cognitive impairment, memory loss and the permanent loss of basic functioning. 

Causes of Swimming Pool Accidents

Swimming pool accidents can happen anywhere, from your personal residence to hotels, water parks and community pools. Below are some of the most common causes of swimming pool accidents:

• Lack of supervision
• Lack of barriers
• Defective drains and/or diving boards
• Slip and falls
• Uneven and/or slippery surfaces
• Lack of proper signage/warning 
• Lack of lifeguards or insufficient training of staff
• Horseplay

If your child was injured in a swimming pool accident, don’t delay in getting help. The personal injury lawyers at Team Law are here to help you recover compensation for the medical bills you and your family have had to endure. Let us fight on your behalf today. 

Contact A Clark Personal Injury Attorney For A Consultation About Your Swimming Pool Accident Case In New Jersey

Were you or a loved one injured due to a swimming pool accident in New Jersey? Then you need to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible for guidance on how to proceed. The Perth Amboy personal injury attorneys at Team Law are prepared to assist you with your legal claim. We represent victims of swimming pool accidents throughout New Jersey, including Clark, West New York, Perth Amboy, and Edison. Call us today at 1-800-832-6529 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation. Our main office is located at 136 Central Avenue, Clark, NJ 07066, and we also have offices in West New York, Perth Amboy, Summit, New Brunswick, Plainfield, Highland Park, Newark, Orange, Jersey City, and Union City.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.