Every year, far too many people suffer severe injuries due to swimming pool negligence; tragically, many of them are young children. In fact, more children ages 1 to 4 die from drowning than any other cause. If you or a loved one has been seriously harmed in a swimming pool accident in New Jersey, now is the time to contact Nagel Rice, LLP, for a free evaluation of your case.
For 40 years, our dedicated personal injury attorneys have been fighting to protect the rights of victims. We have an impressive rate of success, having won over $1 billion in courtroom verdicts and negotiated settlements for our deserving clients. We never charge attorneys’ fees until we recover meaningful damages.
Swimming pool accidents can have devastating consequences, ranging from severe injuries to wrongful deaths. Our firm understands the complexities of these cases and stands ready to provide you with strong legal representation. Contact us today so we can do the heavy lifting while you and your family rest and recover.
Injuries Caused by Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pool accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, including:
- Drowning or near-drowning, often leading to death or permanent brain damage.
- Slip and fall injuries, more common on wet surfaces, can result in fractures, bruised bones, dislocations, lacerations, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and neuromuscular injuries.
- Diving accidents caused by diving into water that is too shallow can lead to back and neck injuries and/or catastrophic spinal cord injuries and paralysis.
- Chemical exposure to improperly contained or distributed pool chemicals can cause burns, respiratory problems, and other serious health issues.
- Shock or electrocution can burn both internal and external tissue and cause organ damage.
- Infections from contaminated water can be life-threatening.
- Wrongful death is always a threat in swimming pool accidents.
No matter what type of swimming pool injury you have suffered due to another party’s negligence, you have no doubt been harmed not only physically, but emotionally, and financially as well. Our accomplished legal team is here to help you recoup your losses and restart your life.
How Our Attorneys Prove Premises Liability
Proving liability in swimming pool accident cases requires thorough investigation and a deep understanding of premises liability law. Once you become our client, our attorneys will get busy gathering evidence and creating a powerful legal strategy.
In order to prove our premises liability case we must convince the court that:
- The swimming pool and its surroundings presented an unreasonable risk of harm.
- The property owner knew or should have known, that this risk existed.
- The property owner was negligent in creating or failing to correct the problem.
- The owner’s negligence was the direct cause of your injury.
- You suffered real losses as a result of your injury.
Remember: If we take on your case after our initial consultation, it is because we are convinced we will win.
Services Nagel Rice Provides
At Nagel Rice, we offer comprehensive legal services to clients involved in swimming pool accident cases, including:
Thoroughly Investigating Your Case
We will gather and examine all medical records pertaining to your case and any history of previous misconduct on the part of the defendant. We will also investigate any other possible liability on the part of a third party, like a manufacturer or pool cleaning service. Part of our investigation will involve identifying and interviewing any witnesses.
Drafting and Filing Any Necessary Documents
Once we have determined all individuals or entities responsible for your injuries, our attorneys will create and file claims and other necessary paperwork efficiently.
Handling All Communications With Opposing Attorneys and Insurance Adjusters
We will lift the burden of all legal and logistical matters to provide your family with the peace you need to heal.
Consulting With Medical and Other Experts for Relevant Input
An important part of our work is consulting with experts who will examine existing data and be able to testify on your behalf about poor maintenance of the pool, the specifics of your injuries and prognosis, how pool chemicals can be harmful, and other matters related to your accident. Testimony of such experts will go far in bolstering your case.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement If Possible
Our attorneys are sharp and agile negotiators, well-practiced in settling personal injury cases out of court in order to avoid the delays and expenses associated with courtroom trials.
Representing You at Trial, If Necessary To Recover Maximum Compensation
If opposing attorneys and/or insurance adjusters do not agree to a reasonable settlement, our lawyers are well-prepared to advocate for your rights vigorously at trial in order to bring you the maximum compensation you need and deserve.
What Happens If I Am Partly To Blame for My Accident?
In many cases, the victim of a swimming accident may be found to be partly at fault for their own injuries. For example, if the victim was wearing inappropriate footwear at the time of a poolside slip and fall. If this is true in your case, you are still entitled to damages, but those damages will be lessened by the percentage of fault assigned to you. Also, under New Jersey principle of modified comparative negligence, you will not be able to collect any compensation if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault,
The way it works is this: if you are awarded $100,000 in compensatory damages and found to be 20 percent at fault, your award will be diminished by 20 percent and you will receive $80,000. You can trust our determined attorneys to work tirelessly to persuade the court that you bear minimal responsibility and deserve maximum compensation.
Damages Nagel Rice Will Fight To Win
Depending on the type of swimming pool accident and the nature of your injuries, our legal team will pursue some or all of the following damages:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs, present and future
- Long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological counseling
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Final medical costs, funeral costs, loss of financial and emotional support
(in cases of wrongful death)
Contact Our New Jersey & New York Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys
At Nagel Rice, LLP, we know all too well how devastating swimming pool accidents can be for victims and their families. If you or your loved one has suffered serious injury, permanent disability, or wrongful death due to someone else’s negligence, getting in touch with our highly qualified attorneys will bring you a measure of relief and the best chance of receiving justice.
Nagel Rice LLP helps its clients throughout New Jersey, including Roseland, Bergen County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Sussex County. We also represent clients in New York throughout Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.