Handling Cases Nationwide
Many middle and high schools across the nation have a swimming facility for students who wish to compete in swimming events in which to train and hold meets. Some of these facilities are state-of-the-art; others have fallen into a state of disrepair and need attention. Regardless of the state of the pool itself, any school pool facility represents a danger to students who use it. Even though parents believe that their sons and daughters are safe swimming at school, the sad reality is that drowning and near-drowning accidents do occur even at the most state-of-the-art school pool facility.
Was your son or daughter injured or killed in a school pool accident? Contact Zinda Law Group right away to discuss your case with one of our experienced attorneys. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses and expenses.
School Pool Drowning Accidents Require a Careful Investigation
School pool facilities are often regulated by the federal, state, and (in some cases) local government. These entities impose regulations and requirements on school pools that dictate how these pools are to be maintained, what life-saving equipment must be present near the pool, and what type of supervision is necessary when the pool is in use. These regulations and requirements are meant to ensure that vulnerable children are kept safe in and around the pool. Unfortunately, schools are often forced to make difficult budget decisions: maintenance and pool supervision are easy items for superintendents and other school officials to forego in order to make ends meet.
Investigating school pool accidents is essential to ensuring that the individuals and entities responsible for contributing to the drowning incident are held accountable for their actions. Because children are especially vulnerable, administrators, coaches, and other adults entrusted with the care of children may also be responsible for taking certain actions to protect a student’s health and safety. For example, a coach who sees a swimmer struggling in the water may have an affirmative obligation to take steps to try and save the swimmer’s life.
Special Rules for School Pool Accident Lawsuits
Because a school is a public entity, there may be special procedural rules that apply to your lawsuit. Many states require that, before a public entity or state or local government is sued you provide notice to the government of your injury and your intent to sue. You must then give that government entity an opportunity to respond (typically 180 days) before you can file a lawsuit against that government entity. Failure to follow these specific procedural rules can mean that your lawsuit is dismissed and you are forever barred from seeking compensation for you or your child’s pool accident losses.
Once the requisite time has expired, you are able to file your lawsuit against the government entity. Here again, special considerations make it highly advisable to retain the assistance of an experienced attorney. Typically you must include all of the individuals and entities responsible for contributing to your or your child’s accident in a single lawsuit. (This is designed to prevent individuals from filing multiple lawsuits against different people and entities in order to litigate the same facts over and over again). Failing to do this can mean that you receive less-than-full compensation.
Contact Zinda Law Group Today
Entrust your case to the experienced and dedicated team of school pool accident lawyers at Zinda Law Group. Contact them today at 800-863-5312 to discuss your case with one of our seasoned personal injury attorneys. They will analyze the facts and circumstances of your case and determine who may have contributed to your or your child’s accident. They will assist you in attempting to obtain compensation from the responsible parties.
