Swimming pools and water features are fun attractions, but they also carry serious responsibilities for property owners and operators. When proper safety measures fail or supervision falls short, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Preventable drowning accidents continue to claim lives across Atlanta. If you lost a loved one due to negligence, you may qualify to file an Atlanta wrongful death lawsuit and seek justice on their behalf.
Property Owner Responsibilities in Georgia
Georgia law establishes clear obligations for property owners, with duties varying based on visitor status. Property owners must exercise the highest duty of care for invited guests and customers, such as conducting regular inspections and promptly addressing hazards. Even with unexpected visitors or trespassers, owners must take steps to prevent harm.
Swimming pools are classified as attractive nuisances under Georgia law and require additional safeguards. Children may naturally gravitate toward pools, creating a special duty for owners to prevent access and protect against drowning risks.
Property owners must install proper fencing, working gates, pool covers, and clear warning signs. Regular maintenance checks, proper lighting, and functional safety equipment are also essential. If an owner fails to implement these measures, they could be held liable if a drowning occurs.
Common Causes of Fatal Drowning Accidents
When property owners or supervisors fail to maintain proper safety standards or ignore known risks, tragic accidents become more likely. Several factors may contribute to fatal drowning accidents, such as:
- Inadequate Barriers: Missing or broken fencing, gates, and locks allow unauthorized access to pools and water features.
- Insufficient Supervision: Lifeguards who become distracted, take breaks without coverage, or lack proper training put swimmers at risk.
- Poor Maintenance: Broken drain covers, cloudy water, or malfunctioning safety equipment create hazardous swimming conditions.
- Lack of Safety Equipment: Missing life rings or rescue poles hamper rescue efforts. This can be dangerous when someone is drowning and seconds count.
- Defective Pool Design: Improper depth markers, dangerous slopes, or inadequate lighting increase the likelihood of a dangerous accident.
Get Legal Help for Your Drowning Accident Case
If you lost a loved one in a fatal drowning accident, you may have grounds for legal action. In Atlanta, a wrongful death lawsuit seeks justice and compensation when negligence leads to someone’s death. When a property owner fails to maintain safe conditions around their personal swimming pool or a company that operates a public facility fails to provide adequate protection, they may be held liable through one of these claims.
Compensation in an Atlanta wrongful death lawsuit may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Final medical expenses suffered by the deceased
- Mental anguish experienced by the surviving family
- Loss of care, companionship, and guidance
- Loss of services that the deceased provided, such as childcare
- Loss of financial support from the deceased, such as income or benefits
Building a strong wrongful death case demands extensive legal knowledge and resources. In these situations, the wrongful death lawyers at Monge & Associates can help. Our attorneys will investigate the accident, gather evidence of negligence, consult safety experts, and advocate aggressively for your family’s rights. Call (678) 535-3938 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help secure the justice your family deserves.