Children’s Accidents in Swimming Pools

Swimming can be extremely beneficial to children and learning to swim and being confident around pools can help this. However, with children being around water whilst they are learning to swim, children’s accidents in swimming pools are more common.

There are some instances where children’s accidents in swimming pools are unavoidable. However, where a child has an accident in a swimming pool, and this accident is caused by the negligence of someone else, then you may be able to make a claim.

children's accidents in swimming pools

The Most Common Children’s Accidents in Swimming Pools

There are many accidents that a child can have whilst at the swimming pool. Some of the most common accidents include

  • Slipping on wet surfaces
  • Tripping over uneven floors or obstacles left around the poolside
  • Being struck by a falling object
  • Illness as a result of the use, non-use or misuse of certain chemical disinfectants
  • Diving board injuries
  • Broken tiles on the sides or floor of the swimming pools
  • Injuries caused by another child
  • Drowning

Constant supervision of children whilst they are in the pool is essential. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) children under the age of 11 years are most at risk of accidents and drowning in swimming pools, and toddlers are the most vulnerable.

Accidents can occur through inadequate procedures, insufficient training, and being short on staff. Negligence caused by staff can quickly turn what should be a safe and pleasant environment into a perilous one. The swimming pool owner, centre manager, and lifeguards all have a duty of care to ensure swimming pool accidents are avoided, and customers and staff are kept safe. Legislation like the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 clearly sets out their responsibilities.

Claiming on Behalf of a Child

If a child is injured in a swimming pool accident, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. In cases where a child has an accident, a parent or guardian may be able to make the claim on their behalf.

Usually in personal injury claims, there is a three-year time limit on making the claim. However, if a child has an accident, this is not the case. When a child is injured, a parent or guardian has until the child turns 18 to make a claim. The child then has a further three years to claim, until they turn 21.

We do recommend, however, that you start the claim on behalf of the child as soon as possible after the accident.

How We Can Help with Children’s Accidents in Swimming Pools

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes children’s accidents in swimming pools. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.