Now that summer is upon us, your kids will start begging to go to the public pools. Since most of us aren’t fortunate enough to have a pool in our backyards, the public pools in Marietta offer the next best thing. Sadly, our Marietta injury lawyers have seen one too many trips to the pools end in tragedy.
There Are Only 9 Public Pools in Marietta, Georgia
Believe it or not, there are only nine public pools in the Marietta area. This means that there’s only one pool for every 6,600 residents. This means that, at any given time, there could be an awful lot of swimmers at your local pool.
With so many people there at once, it can be hard for the lifeguards to keep an eye on everyone. As a parent, you need to supervise your children at all times. However, you should be able to count on the pool operators to offer a safe and healthy environment.
The Georgia Department of Public Health Is Very Strict When It Comes to Public Pools
If you’re afraid that maybe the pools near you aren’t safe, don’t worry too much. The Department of Health in Georgia is very strict when it comes to the operation of public pools.
All public pool operators are required to maintain clear signage. For example, if the pool is only four-foot deep, there should be signs letting your kids know not to dive.
The same is true when it comes to how deep a pool is. The operators must clearly identify how deep each level of the pool is. Of course, you should never take their word for it. Check things out yourself before you let your kids swim there.
Your Marietta Injury Lawyer Is Familiar With the Laws and Regulations
In Cobb County, pool operators must abide by very specific and strict regulations. For example, according to Georgia Department of Public Health Chapter 511-3-5, all pool operators are required to maintain safety equipment around the pool.
Some of the specific rules that operators of public pools in Marietta must abide by include:
- There must be adequate lighting around the pool, even if the pool isn’t open at night.
- There must be accurate and clear depth markings in and around the pool.
- Warning signs must be posted and there must be clear barriers around the pool.
- The operator must post safety signs and rules in several places around the pool area.
- All letters on the signs must be at least one-inch high.
- “No Lifeguard” signs must include letters that are at least four inches high.
If your child is hurt and it’s because one of these regulations was violated, let your personal injury lawyer in Marietta know. This may help them prove negligence on the part of the pool’s operator and owner.
Who Is Responsible for Maintaining the Public Pools in Marietta?
It can be tricky when you’re talking about public pools in Marietta. Technically, public pools come under the authority of Cobb County. This is why the county is so strict about signage and safety warnings.
What your Marietta injury lawyer will have to determine is whether they’ll need to pursue the county for damages. If that’s the case, it will be difficult. Most municipalities and counties in Georgia have a certain level of immunity.
What your personal injury lawyer in Marietta will do is pursue all possible defendants. This will optimize your chances of recovering damages.
Can Your Personal Injury Lawyer in Marietta Prove a Violation Took Place?
Your Marietta injury lawyer will have to prove negligence on the part of the owners and operators of the pool. What they’ll do is compare the list of rules and regulations and compare them to the conditions at the pool.
In order to ensure that you’re able to access this information, your attorney may need to hire a private investigator. This way, they aren’t refused access. Plus, it is perfectly legal to do this. The investigator will have a checklist to see if the county is in compliance.
Did the Pool Have the Signage Required by Law?
The most common violations our personal injury lawyers in Marietta see have to do with signage. Sometimes, the pool operators put the signs up, and then, along the way, they get damaged or destroyed.
Another possibility is that the signs are out of date. For example, the county did not require the four-inch signage warning about no lifeguards until January 1, 2017.
Was There a Lifeguard On Duty at the Time of Your Child’s Accident?
Another example of negligence is if a public pool doesn’t have a lifeguard on duty. The law does not state that all pool operators must pay lifeguards to be on duty at all times. However, if there isn’t a lifeguard on duty, the operators must post clear and visible signage saying as much.
There are many times when our Marietta injury lawyers represent a client whose child was hurt even though a lifeguard was working. If the lifeguard failed to help your child or wasn’t paying attention, you may have a viable claim for damages.
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Pool Accident
You may wonder how a Marietta injury lawyer can help you and your family. Before you consider suing anybody, you need to file a claim with the operator’s insurance carrier. If the pool is operated directly by the county, this means your personal injury lawyer in Marietta will file a claim with them instead.
Ideally, your claim will be paid. However, if it’s denied, you still have the option of filing suit. This is always a last resort. Your Marietta injury lawyer will continue to try to negotiate a settlement of your claim.
Reach Out to a Seasoned Marietta Injury Lawyer Right Away
If your child is injured while swimming at a public pool, you should contact us right away. You can sit down with a seasoned personal injury lawyer in Marietta. They’ll review your case and let you know what your options are.
We offer all new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you the opportunity to have an experienced Marietta injury lawyer review your case free of charge.
