The hotel may be responsible for injuries you suffer in pool party accidents if unsafe conditions, poor supervision, or inadequate security contributed. In some cases, event promoters, lifeguards, contractors, or other guests can also be liable. A swimming pool accident lawyer can help you determine who to sue for hotel pool injuries.
For help in the Las Vegas area, call George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at (702) 388-2005.
When Is a Hotel Liable for Pool Injuries?
Hotels must maintain reasonably safe conditions. Otherwise, they could be liable after pool accidents.
- Slip and fall accidents: Guests can lose their balance due to wet pool decks, broken tiles, or poorly maintained flooring. Guests should expect slippery surfaces near a pool, but hotels must take reasonable precautions, such as posting warning signs and using slip-resistant materials.
- Inadequate security: Hotel pool parties often involve alcohol. This increases the risk of fights and unruly behavior. Inadequate security staff to monitor crowd control increases the odds of guest injuries.
- Lack of supervision: If a hotel chooses not to provide lifeguards, it must warn guests that swimming is “at your own risk.” Failing to post clear warnings can make the hotel liable if someone drowns or suffers serious injury. Similarly, if a hotel does have lifeguards, but they are poorly trained, distracted, or negligent, the hotel may be responsible for drownings or injuries.
- Defective equipment: Broken ladders, malfunctioning drains, or weak diving boards can lead to serious injuries. Hotels are responsible for proactive, routine inspections and repairs.
- Overcrowding: Pool parties in Vegas are famous for attracting large crowds. Overcrowding can cause trampling, drownings, and other serious outcomes.
If you can prove hotel negligence, you may be able to sue for injuries at a hotel and recover damages.
When Third Parties Are Responsible for Pool Party Injuries
Sometimes liability shifts to third parties, depending on who caused or contributed to pool party injuries.
Event Organizers or Promoters
Some Las Vegas hotels rent their pool spaces to outside promoters who host parties. The promoters may let in crowds that are too large, serve too much alcohol, or hire undertrained staff, thus sharing liability.
Lifeguards or Pool Staff
You may be able to hold a lifeguard liable if they were negligent. Examples include ignoring obvious signs of distress such as a swimmer struggling to keep their head above water, repeatedly calling for help, showing signs of exhaustion, or being motionless at the surface or bottom of the pool.
Vendors and Contractors
Food and beverage vendors, stage builders, or equipment rental companies may contribute to injuries. For instance, a stage or lighting setup may collapse and injure partygoers.
Other Guests
Sometimes, another guest’s reckless or intentional behavior causes injuries. If someone pushes another person into the pool, causing that person to hit his or her head, the pusher may be held liable for injuries.
A detailed investigation is usually necessary to determine fault. A swimming pool accident lawyer can identify all responsible parties to maximize compensation.
Compensation Available for Pool Party Accidents
How seriously you are hurt and the specifics of your case affect your compensation after pool party accidents.
Medical Expenses
Pool party injuries may require hospital visits, emergency transport, surgeries, medications, and ongoing rehabilitation costs. Working with an attorney is one way to pursue a fair settlement or file a lawsuit.
Lost Wages
Many injuries force people to miss work. You may lose income and experience diminished earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job.
Pain and Suffering
Pool accidents often cause severe physical and emotional trauma, including anxiety, PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life. For example, a slip and fall might leave a person with chronic back pain, affecting their ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
Survivors of near-drowning incidents may develop anxiety around water, panic attacks, or PTSD from the fear of suffocation. Even injuries, such as broken bones, that eventually heal can cause months of discomfort, sleep loss, and limited mobility. All of those reduce quality of life and subtract enjoyment from hobbies, travel, and family activities.
Wrongful Death Damages
Nevada has about 1.45 unintentional drowning deaths each year per 100,000 people. In pool party cases involving drownings, surviving family members may be able to pursue claims for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. If the hotel or event organizers acted with gross negligence or recklessness, punitive damages may be available.
Common Causes of Pool Accidents at Las Vegas Hotel Events
To figure out who to hold accountable for your injury, you must identify what all caused the injury. Las Vegas pool parties are high-energy. That, plus several hazards, make them particularly dangerous.
- Alcohol and drugs: These substances increase the odds of reckless behavior and accidents.
- Overcrowding: This reduces visibility, can overwhelm lifeguards, and increases the chances of trampling or drowning.
- Lack of supervision or inadequate security: Improperly trained staff, particularly staff not trained for crowds, can contribute to pool accidents. This is also true in situations that pose a threat to children, such as when kids climb on pool edges or roughhouse.
- Slippery surfaces: Even one slip and fall can lead to broken bones, spinal cord injuries, or concussions.
- Missing or broken safety equipment: Missing life rings or broken drains can lead to serious injuries.
Hotels and promoters often have strong legal teams. Professional representation helps level the playing field. George Bochanis Injury Law Offices can offer guidance on your next steps after a pool party accident. Contact us today.
FAQs about Injuries from Las Vegas Pool Party Accidents
1. Can I still collect damages if I was drinking alcohol?
Under Nevada modified comparative negligence, any compensation you receive could decrease based on your share of fault in an accident. Therefore, you may still be able to recover damages if you were drinking before your accident, but they will be reduced by your degree of fault.
2. What if my child was hurt at a Vegas pool party?
You may be able to pursue a claim for damages on your child’s behalf if he or she was injured in a Vegas pool party.
3. How do I know who is liable for my pool party injuries?
When determining liability, useful records include security camera footage, witness statements, medical records, incident reports, maintenance logs, and hotel policies on lifeguards or crowd control.
