4 Common Swimming Pool Injuries You Should Know About
We’ve covered the swimming pool rules and regulations that you should abide by, and now we’re discussing the most common swimming pool injuries that you should know about.
10 Swimming Pool Rules and Regulations To Abide By
As fun as it is to spend the summer by the pool, following swimming pool rules and regulations is essential to ensure that everyone stays safe. The pool can be as dangerous as it is fun. But by following your local pool’s guidelines, you’ll ensure the safest possible swimming and splashing experience to make your hot summer that much cooler. Keep reading to learn about the most crucial swimming pool rules and regulations you should follow to keep yourself safe while swimming or lounging by the pool. Don’t Run. It’s dangerous to run around a swimming pool because you could slip and fall. You could severely injure yourself, whether you land on the slippery concrete around the pool or in the pool itself. The concrete will hurt and could result in a break or fracture. If you land in the pool, you risk falling to the bottom and hitting your head, which could lead to a concussion or traumatic brain injury. There’s no guarantee that you won’t slip and fall when you’re at the pool, but you’ll significantly reduce the risk of getting injured by not running. Don’t Dive. Unless the pool is deep enough to dive safely (at least 8 feet deep), you should steer clear of the diving board. This is especially true when there’s no lifeguard on duty. You should never dive without a lifeguard on duty, even if the pool is deep enough. Should you get hurt diving, every second counts to prevent you from drowning. If you are by yourself with no one to help you, the worst-case scenario is unfortunately likely. Supervise Your Kids. Even after teaching your children about swimming pool rules and regulations, you’ll still want to monitor their behavior around the pool closely. It’s easy to get excited and forget about the rules when you are having fun. It’s super important to keep your children away from the pool’s edge and off the diving board. Reminding them to walk instead of run might be the most challenging part, though! Put Swim-proof Diapers on Toddlers. The last thing you want is a soiled diaper contaminating the swimming pool. Many pools ban toddlers in diapers for that very reason. If your pool doesn’t, just be sure to put a swim-proof diaper on your toddler to keep the pool clean. Your friends and neighbors will appreciate you! Limit the Number of Swimmers in the Pool. If you see a sign at your pool that says “Max # of guests”, it’s important to respect that. The limit is generally for safety reasons. If too many people are in or around the pool at once, it could be difficult to evacuate in the event of an emergency. It could also be difficult for a lifeguard to keep up with everyone and get to a swimmer in trouble on time. Limit How Many Guests each Resident can Bring. Most community pools require advanced notice if you’re going to have a large pool party. They’ll close off the pool during that time. During regular pool hours, when the pool isn’t reserved for special events, each resident is usually restricted in regards to how many people they can bring with them to the pool. This restriction is for safety reasons to prevent the pool from becoming overcrowded. Keep Animals Out of the Pool. Dogs are the most common animals to bring with you to the pool, but it’s not a good idea. While most dogs can swim, it’s not sanitary for a dog to swim with other pool-goers. Long-haired dogs can clog the pool filter, causing the pool to shut down to residents until maintenance can unclog and restore the pool to normal, clean function. What about having your dog stay poolside? Even that isn’t the best idea since other pool-goers might be allergic to dogs. Don’t Bring Glass Bottles to the Pool. Bringing a beverage to the pool is a great way to savor the moment and enjoy yourself. But we don’t recommend bringing a glass bottle to the pool. If your beverage comes in a glass bottle or container, transfer it to a plastic or metal container.Why?Because glass bottles easily break if they’re dropped, and the last thing anyone wants is to cut their bare feet on the broken glass. The #1 place for bare feet everywhere? The pool. Obey the Lifeguard. We can’t express how important it is to obey the lifeguard. You might think you know more than the lifeguard – and you might – but it’s your responsibility to obey the lifeguard on duty. They know the swimming pool rules and regulations, as well as information specific to your pool. If you disobey the lifeguard, it might encourage others to do the same, which could be deadly if someone is in trouble. That’s the last thing anyone wants, so keep things simple by obeying the lifeguard at your pool. Use Pool Safety Equipment. Learning about your pool’s safety equipment is a great way to be extra cautious at the pool. If you’re not familiar with the safety equipment at your pool, ask the lifeguard to teach you about each piece of equipment. Unless they’re super busy, they’ll be happy to educate you on pool safety. Following these swimming pool rules and regulations will keep you, your family, and your community safe as you enjoy spending the summer by the pool. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Were you injured because swimming pool rules and regulations weren’t followed? Did your injury require medical treatment, cause you to miss work, and result in pain and suffering? If so, you may be entitled to compensation for what you’ve gone through. That’s where we come into the picture. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton has been representing injury victims just like you for decades. We offer free case evaluations where we review the details of your case and discuss with you how we can help. To get started, call us at 801.921.8360 or contact us via our website. Flickinger Sutterfield &
Wrong-Way Accidents
Wrong-way auto accidents are the deadliest type of accident since they usually involve a high-speed, head-on collision. They’re terrifying; they typically happen suddenly with little to no warning. It can often be impossible to get out of the way in time. But suppose you’re lucky enough to survive a wrong-way auto accident. In that case, you could suffer a long-term, debilitating injury that dramatically alters your quality of life (more on that below). Why do wrong-way accidents happen? How on earth do they happen? Some statistics explain why. In today’s blog, we’re reviewing them and helping you understand how you can best avoid a wrong-way accident on the road because we want you and your family to enjoy life while staying safe. Why Wrong-Way Driving Accidents Happen Wrong-way driving auto accidents have become increasingly common and, unfortunately, account for hundreds of deaths every year. But how do these accidents happen? Circumstances that lead to wrong-way accidents include: Drunk Driving: It probably comes with no surprise that drunk driving is at the very top of our list. Being impaired behind the wheel has devastating consequences as alcohol affects your ability to operate a motor vehicle. It also impacts your ability to see and understand the signs you are reading. A drunk driver may mistakenly enter an exit ramp and wind up, causing a fatal head-on collision. Difficulty Understanding Signs: Despite what you might think, drunk drivers are not the only ones who experience difficulty reading signs. When visibility is low, drivers with below-average eyesight may struggle to make out instructions on what to do. Driving students can also have this problem since they’re still learning what all of the signs mean. Lack of Signs: In rural areas, clearly marked signs are scarce or often missing. In such cases, drivers are left to assume which ramp is the entrance ramp. Not only that, but drivers often need to assume the speed limit/a safe driving speed. If they’re driving too quickly for the road they’re on, it can be even harder to avoid a wrong-way driver when one suddenly appears. Poor Visibility: Inclement weather, such as fog, heavy rain, and snow, can affect your ability to read signs. We recommend pulling over until your visibility improves if this happens to you. It’s not worth a life-threatening accident, even if you’re only a few minutes from home. Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, turning the dial on the radio, or talking to passengers may mistakenly enter an exit ramp. It’s critical to pay attention to the road when you’re driving. Music, texting, and talk can wait until later. Drowsy Driving: If you’re struggling to keep your eyes open, you could miss important signage indicating where you should go. There are many roadway signs warning you to pull over if you get drowsy, and there’s a good reason for this! A nap could be the difference between life and death. Confusing or Poor Ramp Design: There is no uniform design for entrance and exit ramps. They vary by state. Parallel ramps can be particularly confusing for some drivers, especially if you’re not a local. Facts About Wrong-Way Driving Most of the time, drivers responsible for wrong-way accidents are under the influence of alcohol. In fact, they account for over 60% of all wrong-way accidents. However, drunk drivers are not the only cause of wrong-way accidents. Even sober drivers with full mental capacity can cause a crash. Here are some facts about wrong-way driving: Wrong-way accidents aren’t as common as other kinds of collisions (like head-on collisions). However, because of the speed and force with which they happen, they are often deadly and should be avoided at all costs. Wrong-way driving accidents are more common on the weekend than during the week due mainly to the increased percentage of intoxicated drivers on the road. Wrong-way accidents are more likely to happen at night. Poor visibility, fatigue, and alcohol play a role in this. Entering an exit ramp is the most common way in which drivers end up going in the wrong direction. Wrong-way signage could prevent some of the accidents that take place. Most Common Injuries from Wrong-Way Accidents Most wrong-way accidents result in fatalities; but if not, you’re unlikely to walk away uninjured. Why? There’s a ton of force and impact at play when two hards collide full-speed into each other. These are the most common types of injuries from wrong-way accidents: Head trauma (concussions, TBIs) Neck, back, and spine trauma Broken facial bones Chest and thoracic trauma Broken bones Wrongful death These injuries are severe. While they won’t all kill you on impact, they can result in death. Head trauma can permanently alter your life if you suffer a severe traumatic brain injury that requires you to relearn skills you could once do in the blink of an eye. Neck, back, or spine trauma could be minor but paralyze you. Broken facial bones can alter your appearance. And we could go on. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Have you been in a wrong-way accident? You deserve compensation for your injuries, vehicular repairs (or new vehicle), and pain and suffering. The prospect of a lawsuit can be overwhelming and intimidating. But don’t worry. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help. With over 25 years of legal experience, the experts at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are well equipped to help you navigate the law and receive compensation for your accident. We’re located in northern Utah with offices in West Jordan, South Jordan, Provo, Orem, and Saratoga Springs. We offer free case evaluations to see how we can best help you, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. You can call us at 801.921.8360 or use our contact form to get in touch with us. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is here to help you through this challenging time so that you can get back to your everyday life!
Wrongful Death Claims: What You Need to Know
Wrongful death claims are for individuals who have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct. Wrongful death claims compensate the survivors of the deceased for things like lost companionship, lost wages, funeral expenses, medical bills, and more. Wrongful death claims are generally limited to the immediate or close extended family of the deceased to prevent distant relatives from profiting from their death. There are laws in place to prevent the abuse of wrongful death claims. But there are also laws to ensure that compensation is provided for those who need and deserve it. Today’s blog is about wrongful death claims. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know. Who Can File A Wrongful Death Claim? Wrongful death claims are limited to a select number of people. You must be a close relative to the individual and have been directly affected by their death to be able to file a wrongful death claim. Each state sets the statutes for wrongful death and is usually for widows and orphans, the ones most affected by the death. Having been friends in college, close friends, or even co-workers isn’t enough to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the deceased. These laws are in place to prevent anyone from unethically taking advantage of a person’s death. Each state will limit how much the recipients can receive, which is another reason why states limit the recipients and amounts of wrongful death claims. When Wrongful Death Applies Wrongful deaths only apply to specific circumstances, which you must prove with hard evidence. Murder, medical malpractice, and auto accidents are the most common types of wrongful deaths that you can sue over. Here’s more detail on each kind of wrongful death. Murder Intentionally killing another person is murder, and it most certainly qualifies for wrongful death. Murder is more complicated since the murderer/defendant will be criminally charged and prosecuted. A wrongful death claim would be in addition to the criminal charges but would occur in civil court. It’s possible to have both criminal and civil charges against you at the same time. Medical Malpractice Doctors have legal and ethical duties to their patients. It’s a doctor’s job to test and diagnose their patients correctly. If a doctor lacks the expertise to diagnose or treat a patient properly, they have the ethical responsibility to refer the patient to a skilled doctor. As long as a doctor follows all their ethical and legal obligations, they are fine. But should a doctor fail to and that patient dies as a direct result, they are guilty of medical malpractice and can be sued for wrongful death. Doctors carry medical malpractice insurance to protect themselves from lawsuits like this. Some cases don’t meet the criteria for medical malpractice, but if you win the lawsuit, your compensation will likely come from their malpractice insurance. Auto Accidents Many auto accidents result in wrongful death claims, but not every case is won. There must be proof that the driver engaged in negligent behavior while driving. Evidence that they were using their phone or were under the influence of alcohol is enough to file a wrongful death claim. How Wrongful Death Claims Work To file a wrongful death claim, you must have sufficient evidence. That evidence must include the following: Someone’s negligence or harmful intent caused the individual’s death. The person’s death costs the family money. A personal representative must be in charge of the deceased’s property. Without these three elements, you don’t have a case for wrongful death. If you don’t have enough proof, you can’t file a lawsuit, as this would waste the court’s resources. Additionally, you must file your case within the statutes of limitations. Those limitations are set individually by each state, so you’ll need to determine the time frame you have. Usually, this time frame begins at the time the person died. But, if their cause of death is what revealed wrongful death, and that cause wasn’t discovered until later on, then wrongful death would begin when the cause was found. Damages You’ll likely collect monetary damages, which cover loss of services, support, medical and funeral expenses, and loss of inheritance. You’ll also collect financial injuries, which cover any money you lost due to the person’s death. Finally, a damage award will repay your expenses and may include interest. Proving Wrongful Death It can be very challenging to prove wrongful death. All of the elements listed above must be met, and it could be hard to prove that yourself. You might need expert help in the form of an attorney. It’s also not uncommon for an expert witness to be hired to testify. Determining the Settlement Amount and Getting Paid Your settlement amount will depend on how old the person was when they died. It also depends on medical bills, funeral/burial costs, how much your pain and suffering are worth, etc. You’ll receive a check from the defendant’s insurance company for the total amount. If you’ve hired an attorney, their fees will come out of the check before the rest is yours to keep. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Did you lose a family member to wrongful death? Wrongful death claims are not easy to handle on your own. There’s a lot of legalese, paperwork, and confusion involved in the process. But rest assured that you’re not alone. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton has been representing individuals in wrongful death claims for over 25 years. Our expert attorneys will skillfully guide you through the process, so you can receive the compensation you deserve for the wrongful loss of your loved one. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton is located in northern Utah with offices in West Jordan, South Jordan, Provo, Orem, and Saratoga Springs. To get started with a free case evaluation, call us at 801.921.8360, or fill out the form on our website. However you prefer to reach out, we’ll be here to help.