A swimming pool might be an eye-catching addition to a home, but it can pose bodily harm to people. Because of this, swimming pools often belong to a category of property features called attractive nuisance.
What is an attractive nuisance?
An attractive nuisance is a feature on a property that can entice curious individuals, such as children, and make premises more dangerous. Such features might cause personal injuries or worse and are often considered premise liabilities. Besides swimming pools, other attractive nuisances include tree houses, trampolines, scaffolding, and potentially harmful animals.
Owners are generally responsible for reducing the danger of an attractive nuisance, such as erecting a fence around their home or the feature.
Why are swimming pools dangerous?
Swimming pools make premises more dangerous in many ways. Here are some common pool features and how they can cause harm.
- Diving board. Some swimming pools are too shallow for diving. Jumping from a diving board into a shallow pool might result in head and spinal injuries.
- Water. Besides causing drowning, pool water can increase the risk of diseases in swimmers when not cleaned, replaced, or maintained correctly.
- Stairs and ladders. Improper maintenance can make pool stairs and ladders slippery and unstable. These factors can increase the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.
- Electrical wiring. Poor installation and maintenance and wear and tear can make electrical wiring and devices in swimming pools risk factors for electrocution.
- Slides. A slide usually needs to be slippery to serve its purpose, but this characteristic can also increase the risk of slips and falls.
If you received injuries related to an attractive nuisance, understanding personal injury laws can help protect your rights and secure adequate compensation from responsible parties.