The Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) reports that in 2003 there were 284 drowning deaths of children under 5 years of age in pools and spas; 245 in 2004; and, 319 in 2005. A long time lifeguard, guard instructor and YMCA aquatics director noted in Aquatics International that “there should be no reason anyone should…
Continue readingIn this tragic case, a woman drowns in a pool, causing brain injury and death. Her counsel alleged failure to follow pool operations manual and universal lifeguarding techniques. The 26-year-old plaintiff was enrolled in swimming lessons to learn how to swim for her honeymoon. Her classmates called her a “sinker” because she could neither tread…
Continue readingWhile many of us have heard of swimming pool accidents involving diving boards, falls, and drowning, the drains in many pools present an unreasonable risk of harm to children. In December of 2007, Congress passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act to provide basic safety standards for the nation’s public pools. That…
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