Swimming pools are a popular escape from Louisiana’s sweltering summers, but they can also be the site of serious injuries. When a pool owner fails to take reasonable safety precautions, the consequences can range from broken bones and spinal cord injuries to near-drowning and even wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a swimming pool accident in Louisiana, you may be entitled to compensation under the state’s premises liability laws.
At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, our premises liability lawyers understand how overwhelming it can be to face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma in the aftermath of a preventable accident.
Contact us today for a free case review. Our attorneys are here to listen, explain your legal options, and fight for justice.
Premises Liability Claims for Swimming Pool & Drowning Accidents in Louisiana
A swimming pool accident is any incident that occurs in or around a swimming pool that results in injury.
Under Louisiana premises liability law, property owners and custodians are responsible for damage caused by things in their custody when they knew or should have known of an unreasonable risk of harm and failed to take reasonable steps to address it. This means pool owners who neglect safety measures can be held liable when someone is injured on their property.
Common Types of Swimming Pool Accidents
Pool accidents can take many forms and happen in places you might not expect, from private backyards to luxury hotel pools and commercial water parks. Some common types of accidents include:
Drowning and Near-Drowning
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cites drowning as the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 in the U.S., and the third leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 14 in Louisiana. As of 2025, Louisiana had the second-highest child drowning rate in the U.S.
According to the American Red Cross, about 4,000 people die from drowning every year, an average of 11 deaths per day. Near-drownings occur at twice that rate, with roughly 22 per day. Even survivors of a near-drowning (sometimes called a submersion injury) can experience long-term consequences, including brain damage, lung damage, and physical impairments. Factors that contribute to drowning include lack of proper fencing, inadequate supervision, and insufficient lifeguard coverage.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Wet pool decks, slippery tile surfaces, and uneven pavement around a pool are common hazards. A slip and fall near a swimming pool can result in broken bones, lacerations, head injuries, and spinal trauma that in severe cases may require surgery and rehabilitation.
Diving Board and Diving Injuries
Diving accidents are a significant cause of spinal cord injuries. Property owners who permit diving are responsible for ensuring it is safe and appropriate for the pool’s depth. Diving into a pool that is too shallow, or from a faulty diving board, can result in paralysis or death.
Pool Slide Accidents
Pool slides can cause serious harm when they are poorly maintained, improperly designed, or used without adequate supervision. Common injuries include fractures, brain and head injuries, and internal trauma.
Pool Toy and Equipment Hazards
Inflatable pool toys, flotation devices, and other pool equipment can pose serious hazards. Pool drains are especially dangerous, particularly for children. Federal law requires public pools to use drain covers that reduce entrapment risk, but private pool owners may not always comply with these standards.
Electrical Defects and Electrocution
Swimming pools use pumps, lights, and other electrical equipment that, when improperly installed or maintained, can send an electric current into the water. Electric shock drowning (ESD) occurs when stray electrical current enters a body of water, and it can be fatal. Electrocution in or around pools is almost always the result of negligence by a property owner, installer, or maintenance company.
Where Do Swimming Pool Accidents Happen?
Pool accidents can happen in a wide variety of settings across Louisiana. Common locations include:
- Private homes: Homeowners with pools are required to take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access and ensure safety—especially by local children—including fencing, gate latches, and signage.
- Apartment complexes: Residential pools with neglected maintenance, poor lighting, inadequate staffing, missing safety equipment, and no fencing are frequent problems.
- Public pools: City and parish-operated pools can be held liable for negligence, though claims against government entities involve additional procedural requirements.
- Hotels and resorts: Commercial establishments that offer pool access must make sure their facilities are safe for guests of all ages.
- Waterparks: Cool Zoo Waterpark, SPAR Waterpark, Gator Grounds RV Resort, and other waterparks around the state have a duty to inspect and maintain all attractions and provide adequate supervision.
Pool Owners’ Duty of Care in Louisiana
Children are especially vulnerable in and around swimming pools. Louisiana courts recognize that property owners have a heightened responsibility, or duty of care, to prevent child access to pools. Even when a child enters a property without permission, a pool owner who fails to install proper fencing with a locking gate or a pool cover to prevent children from accessing the pool may still be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Louisiana law outlines pool design requirements and safety regulations that apply to public and semi-public pools statewide.
What Needs to Be Proven in a Louisiana Pool Accident Case?
To pursue a premises liability claim after a swimming pool accident, you generally need to establish:
- The property owner owed you (or your child) a duty of care.
- The property owner breached that duty.
- That breach caused the accident and your injuries.
- You suffered physical, financial, or emotional damages as a result.
Photographs of the accident scene, medical records, witness statements, pool maintenance logs, and records of prior incidents at the location are all important forms of evidence that can support your case. Acting quickly by contacting an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an accident helps preserve this evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
The team at Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers can help gather the evidence you need to prove your case. We have decades of success helping Louisiana residents who have been hurt in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. Let us help you, too.
Contact us now for a free case review.
What Compensation May Be Available?
If you can establish liability, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Future medical costs for ongoing or long-term treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed in the accident
Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations
In Louisiana, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If the victim is a minor or the injury is permanent, you may have more time to file, but it is important to never assume. This deadline is strict, and your case could be barred from moving forward if you miss it.
If a government entity is involved, additional notice requirements may apply, and the timeline can be even shorter. Seeking legal counsel as soon as possible after a pool accident gives you the best chance of protecting your right to pursue a claim.
How Dudley DeBosier Can Help After a Swimming Pool Accident
We have extensive experience handling personal injury claims throughout Louisiana, including premises liability cases involving swimming pool accidents. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents take on individuals and families, and we are committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process.
When you work with us, we can:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence
- Identify all potentially liable parties, including property owners, maintenance companies, and equipment manufacturers
- Consult with safety and medical professionals to build your case
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Take your case to trial if necessary
Contact us today for a free case review and let us help you move forward.
