Las Vegas, NV (October 22nd, 2024) – Days after re-opening following another incident, a man nearly drowned at an area gym in Las Vegas.
The man was witnessed by other gym-goers with his head under the water. They pulled him from the water and got help from a Las Vegas Athletic Club staff member, who started to administer CPR. He regained consciousness at the gym, and was transported to the hospital for further treatment after the near-drowning accident.
Several Las Vegas Athletic Club, and other area gym, locations closed pools while creating and implementing plans for in-person lifeguards. LVAC’s plan was approved by the Southern Nevada Health District on October 2nd. Prior to a recent revocation of a waiver, some gym facilities had been allowed to operate without direct lifeguard supervision.
Types of Pool-Related Accidents
In addition to offering numerous health benefits, swimming pools at gyms also pose a significant accident risk. Hundreds of pool-involved incidents occur each year, sometimes resulting in serious injury or death. To help prevent such incidents, understanding pool safety and liability is crucial for pool-goers and owners or operators alike.
Drowning and Near-Drowning
Drowning and near-drowning can happen within seconds, and may be due to ranging factors. Accidents, medical events, poor swimming skills, impairment, and hazardous water conditions, among other issues, may lead to drowning or near-drowning incidents.
Near-drowning can cause serious effects, such as respiratory or cardiac arrest, unconsciousness, and aspiration of water. Short-term complications after such an incident include the development of pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypothermia, and secondary drowning syndrome. Those who suffer near-drownings may also suffer permanent brain damage, cognitive impairments, memory loss, and physical disabilities.
In the recent LVAC near-drowning incident, a witness noticed the man making noises in the hot tub when entering the pool and spa, but ignored him for about 10 minutes until they got out of the water themselves. At that time, they noticed his head was under the water.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Water accumulation and poorly maintained non-slip coatings, among other issues, can create slick and slippery surfaces around swimming pools. Consequently, those who run despite the warning signs, carry items that obstruct their view, wear inappropriate footwear, or engaging in horseplay or pushing, may slip or fall.
Slip and fall accidents can result in ranging injuries, from sprains, strains, and broken bones to head trauma and spinal cord injuries.
Diving Accidents
Diving accidents result due to numerous factors. Misjudging the depths, improper technique, and equipment failures, among other such issues, may lead to diving incidents.
Those involved in diving accidents may suffer serious and catastrophic injuries. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and bone and joint injuries often result from diving-related accidents.
Chemical Exposure
Many public pools keep the chemicals on hand needed to maintain safe levels. Improper storage or maintenance of these, however, can lead to dangerous exposures. People may suffer respiratory issues, chemical burns, or other such injuries due to coming into contact with some pool chemicals.
Property Owner Responsibilities
Under Nevada law, property owners owe a duty of care to those who visit their premises lawfully. To this end, they must:
- Maintain pool areas in reasonably safe condition
- Regularly inspect facilities
- Promptly address any known hazards
- Warn visitors of potential dangers
Property owners in Las Vegas must also adhere to the Southern Nevada Pool Code. The code specifies maintenance and operation requirements, such as installing barriers at least five feet high around all pools, using self-closing or self-latching gates, and ensuring pool covers meet the standards.
Special Considerations for Fitness Facilities
In Las Vegas, fitness facility owners have additional regulations to comply with. Until recently, gym and fitness centers could obtain waivers from the Southern Nevada Health District. With such a waiver, they could bypass the requirement to have in-person lifeguards, and instead monitor pool users via video surveillance.
Following a recent drowning death at another Las Vegas Athletic Club facility, however, the SNHD announced it would no longer grant waivers to allow video monitoring of pool guests in lieu of in-person lifeguards.
What to Do After a Pool Accident
Pool accidents can be frightening for those involved, as well as for witnesses and bystanders. Therefore, knowing what to do can help prevent further complications, and protect your rights as a victim if the need to pursue legal action should arise.
The first step after a pool accident is to contact emergency services to obtain immediate medical aid. Emergency personnel will provide stabilizing care, and assist with transporting victims for additional medical treatment.
Whether they do so themselves or have someone else do so for them, it’s helpful for victims of pool-related accidents to document the scene thoroughly. To this end, they should take photos of the scene, get statements and contact information from any witnesses, and the condition of any safety equipment or postings.
Can You Sue for Near-Drowning Injuries?
If you suffered a near-drowning in Las Vegas, you may be entitled to compensation for your associated losses. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you may pursue legal action against parties whose negligence contributed to the incident and your resulting injuries.
To successfully recover compensation for dangerous property condition injuries, you will need to establish that the property owner owed you a duty of care, that the duty was breached, the breach caused your injury, and you suffered actual damages.
Through a lawsuit for accident injuries, you may recover damages for losses including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and long-term needs.
A near-drowning can leave you with physical and emotional injuries, as well as dealing with unexpected financial burdens. If you have been involved in a water-related accident, call our personal injury lawyer at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices to discuss your case. Having more than 30 years of experience, our attorney, George Bochanis, has helped recover millions of dollars on behalf of people like you. Call 702-388-2005 for a FREE initial consultation.
