Las Vegas, NV (March 5th, 2025) – In preparation for pool season, Clark County is hiring lifeguards to fill positions at multiple facilities. With the city’s high temperatures and an influx of tourists year-round, pools provide an essential source of relief and recreation. However, they also present significant safety risks that can lead to serious injuries or death.
Property owners, hotel operators, and homeowners with pools have an obligation to ensure the safety of visitors to and residents of their properties. If they fail to uphold their responsibilities, however, and injuries result, they may be liable for any associated damages.
At George Bochanis Injury Law Offices, we have experience helping victims and families recover the maximum compensation for pool accident injuries. If you have been injured at a pool in Las Vegas, contact our Nevada personal injury lawyer today to discuss your options. 702-388-2005.
Common Types of Pool Accidents in Nevada
There are numerous swimming pools across Clark County, from those at hotels and resorts on the Las Vegas Strip to the approximately 200,000 residential swimming pools in the area. With the number of pools in varying settings, any number of accidents may occur around the water. Some of the most common types of pool accidents in Nevada include:
Drownings and Near-Drownings
Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional deaths, especially among young children. In Las Vegas, where pools are heavily used, drowning risks are heightened, especially in unsupervised or overcrowded pools. Near-drownings can also lead to severe neurological damage, resulting in long-term disabilities.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slippery pool decks and improperly maintained surfaces can cause serious falls, leading to broken bones, concussions, and other serious slip and fall injuries. Uneven flooring, loose tiles, and poor lighting can further contribute to slip-and-fall hazards.
Diving Injuries
Improper diving into shallow pools can cause severe head, neck, and spinal cord injuries, sometimes leading to paralysis. Unmarked shallow areas in pools present a significant risk to unsuspecting guests. Therefore, pools should have clear depth markings and proper diving signage to prevent such incidents.
Suction Entrapment
Defective or poorly maintained pool drains create a suction hazard that can trap swimmers underwater, leading to severe injury or drowning.
Chemical-Related Injuries
Pools require chemical balancing to maintain safe water conditions. Overuse or improper mixing of chemicals can cause skin burns, respiratory issues, and eye irritation. Chlorine overdoses or exposure to other pool chemicals in enclosed areas can cause severe respiratory illness.
Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs)
Contaminated pool water can spread bacteria and viruses, which may lead to infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, and skin conditions. To help prevent recreational water illnesses, proper sanitation, including regular testing for bacteria like E. coli, are essential.
Common Causes of Pool Accidents
Accidents around the pool can result from varying factors, many of which are preventable. Some of the most common of these causes include:
Lack of Supervision
Inadequate supervision is a leading cause of pool-related injuries and drownings. Pools without lifeguards or responsible adults monitoring swimmers create a hazardous environment, especially for children.
Pool facilities throughout Clark County have struggled with staffing since the COVID-19 pandemic. The county plans to add as many as 100 lifeguards on staff to help ensure that people stay safe in the water.
Poor Maintenance
Malfunctioning equipment, cracked pool decks, or cloudy water contribute to unsafe conditions. Property owners are responsible for regular inspections and prompt repairs. Keeping detailed maintenance logs can demonstrate compliance with safety standards.
Inadequate Safety Measures
Failing to install proper fencing, barriers, and warning signs significantly increases accident risks. Nevada law require certain pools to have enclosures to prevent unauthorized access, especially by children. Alarms on pool gates can also serve as an additional safety precaution.
Defective Pool Equipment
Faulty pool lights, broken ladders, or malfunctioning filtration systems can cause injuries. Manufacturers and property owners may be held liable if defective equipment contributes to an accident. Pool owners should regularly inspect equipment to ensure it’s working properly.
Slippery Pool Decks
Surfaces surrounding pools are often slip-resistant to help prevent falls. Pool operators should use non-slip coatings and ensure proper drainage to help reduce hazards. Insufficient drainage around pools can lead to pooling water, increasing slip hazards.
Alcohol and Impairment
Many Las Vegas pool parties involve alcohol consumption. After consuming alcohol, people may be more likely to engage in risky behavior, increasing the likelihood of drowning or injury. Property owners who allow excessive alcohol use at pools without putting safety measures in place may face liability issues. Designated sober monitors, such as on-duty lifeguards, may help prevent alcohol-related pool accidents.
Premises Liability and Pool Accidents in Nevada
Under Nevada law, property owners are required to maintain their premises in a safe condition for all guests and visitors. This duty applies to various types of properties, including residential homes, hotels, and public swimming pools. When an owner neglects this responsibility, they can be held liable for injuries that occur as a result. In the context of swimming pools, this duty extends beyond just maintaining the pool’s physical structure. Pool operators and homeowners must also make sure they take appropriate safety measures, including installing fencing, gates, and appropriate signage, to prevent accidents.
When property owners fail to meet these obligations, and injuries result, those injured may seek to recover compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. In such cases, injured parties may seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic damages.
Proving a property owner was negligent, resulting in your pool accident injuries, can be challenging. Advocating on your behalf, our dedicated premises liability lawyer will help evaluate the conditions of the pool and aid in determining the negligence that contributed to your accident. At George Bochanis Injury Law Offices, we have more than 30 years of experience helping people like you to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries. To discuss your case, contact our law offices today at 702-388-2005.
