During the hot summer months, having a swimming pool in your backyard can be a dream come true. When the temperatures are scorching hot, you can just jump into your pool and cool off. However, it’s important to be aware of the legal responsibilities of owning a pool, including taking precautions to keep children from getting into your pool. If you don’t take these preventative measures and a child gets injured or dies in your pool, you may be held legally responsible for this “attractive nuisance.”
An attractive nuisance refers to an artificially created condition that’s dangerous and attractive to children. They may get excited about swimming in a pool and not realize the dangers it can bring. That’s why the law places some responsibility on the owners of pools and other attractive nuisances. If these owners fail to take measures to protect children from danger, they may be held liable.
The law expects homeowners to take necessary measures to prevent children from climbing into their pools, such as installing the pool indoors, installing a tall fence in the backyard or putting up signs warning against trespass. It’s also critical to keep the gate to the pool locked at all times. If kids choose to climb the fence, you can likely claim that you did everything possible to protect them from danger and shouldn’t be held responsible.
There is a lot of liability that comes with owning a swimming pool. To protect yourself from a potential lawsuit, you should consider purchasing additional liability insurance with your homeowner’s insurance policy. It’s a small price to pay to protect against losses.
If a child climbed into your pool and got injured, you should contact an experienced property lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will fully investigate your case and work hard to prevent you from paying a large sum of money in the lawsuit. If you took the necessary precautions to keep children out of your pool, your lawyer will have an easier time defending your case in court Wiseman Bray. Your lawyer will also communicate with other lawyers and insurance companies, reducing your stress.
Many lawyers, like a personal injury lawyer Memphis TN trusts, offer free initial consultations, so you have nothing to lose by speaking to one. During your first meeting, your lawyer will want to find out background information about your case, such as what sorts of injuries the child suffered and if you took the necessary precautions to keep children out of your pool or not.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Wiseman Bray for their insights into personal injury and pool accidents.
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