Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a swimming pool drowning incident in Jacksonville, Florida? You may be entitled to file a premises liability claim for compensation. Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can walk you through the process while your family focuses on what matters most.
We’ve been winning high-stakes cases for injury victims in the area since the day we were founded. Our Jacksonville swimming pool drowning lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients.
Call us at 904-396-1100 to schedule a free consultation.
How Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Pool Drowning in Jacksonville, Florida
Swimming pool drowning cases involve unique legal challenges, given the multiple liable parties and the insurance policies that may apply. Having the right Jacksonville premises liability attorney on your side may be necessary to help you recover the full value of your claim.
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers is one of the most well-regarded personal injury firms in Northeast Florida. Our legal team can assist you by:
- Determining whether the property owner violated Florida’s pool safety laws
- Investigating how the drowning occurred and who failed in their duty of care
- Adding up the full scope of your family’s damages
- Working with medical and safety experts to build a stronger case
- Negotiating aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf
- Bringing your case to court and trying it before a jury if needed
Contact our law offices in Jacksonville, Florida, today to learn more. Your first consultation with one of our experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorneys is completely free.
What Must Be Proven to Win a Swimming Pool Drowning Case in Jacksonville?
Pool drowning cases fall under Florida’s premises liability law. Property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. When they fail to do so and someone is injured or killed, they can be held financially responsible.
The level of care a property owner must provide depends on the circumstances. Property owners generally must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable accidents, address dangerous conditions, and warn invitees of potential hazards.
Licensees, such as social guests at a friend’s home, are generally owed a similar duty of reasonable care under Florida law. However, different rules may apply to people who enter a property without an invitation.
Trespassers may be owed a duty of care in certain situations. Florida’s attractive nuisance doctrine is especially relevant in pool drowning cases. Courts recognize that children are naturally drawn to swimming pools and may not understand the danger involved.
Florida’s Pool Safety Laws and How They Affect Your Case
Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act sets strict safety requirements for residential pools. Violating these requirements can strengthen a premises liability claim.
Under this law, every new residential pool must include at least one approved safety feature, such as:
- A barrier or fence at least four feet high that surrounds the pool area
- A pool safety cover that meets national ASTM standards
- Exit alarms on all doors and windows that open directly to the pool
- Self-closing, self-latching gates that open outward and away from the water
- A swimming pool alarm that sounds when someone enters the water
The barrier cannot have gaps or openings large enough for a small child to pass through. It must also be positioned far enough from the water’s edge to prevent someone from falling in immediately after breaching the perimeter.
Public and commercial swimming pools are subject to additional safety and sanitation regulations under Florida law. Depending on the facility, these may include requirements involving pool barriers, safety equipment, and pool deck surfaces. If the defendant failed to comply with any of these standards, it can serve as key evidence for your case.
What Damages Can My Family Recover After a Pool Drowning in Jacksonville?
You may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party in a swimming pool drowning case.
Economic damages cover your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Funeral and burial expenses in the event of a wrongful death
- Lost income and future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs related to the incident
Non-economic damages account for losses that are harder to measure, including:
- Pain and suffering experienced by the victim
- Emotional distress and mental anguish suffered by surviving family members
- Loss of companionship and parental guidance
- Diminished quality of life
Florida law also permits punitive damages in rare cases. These require “clear and convincing evidence” and are designed to punish extreme behavior.
Contact Our Jacksonville Swimming Pool Drowning Lawyers for a Free Case Review
Losing a loved one or watching them suffer because of a preventable pool drowning is devastating. Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help your family pursue accountability and the compensation you need to move forward.
Our Jacksonville swimming pool drowning attorneys have already recovered tens of millions for our clients. Contact us today for your free initial consultation.
