An executive at a tech company in Silicon Valley was killed and his nine year old daughter is in critical condition after a swimming pool accident. The man, who was 43, was one of seven people who were shocked inside a pool at a California home. He served as the vice president of sales at a marketing technology company called RevJet.
According to police, they received reports that two people turned blue after jumping into a pool. Police responded to the home and found people inside giving the executive and his daughter CPR. Witnesses say that the father noticed his daughter at the bottom of the pool, not moving from electric shock after jumping in the pool, so he jumped in to rescue her. While he was attempting to save her, the father was electrocuted and had to be pulled from the pool. Police believe that the accident was caused by faulty wiring. The victims described a tingling feeling while they were in the pool.
Five others in the pool were shocked, but fortunately most were far enough away from the wires to be able to get safely out of the water. A 10 year old female victim is also being treated at the same hospital and is in stable condition. The investigation is ongoing and police have not yet concluded what caused the water to become electrified. A preliminary investigation has revealed that a light fixture inside the pool was missing screws and may have had some type of power surge. Those nearest to the fixture suffered the most serious effects. Experts say that if a person suspects that a pool has become electrified, he or she should shut off the electrical circuit breaker to the pool’s lighting and pump systems.
This tragic accident illustrates the dangers that pools can pose to users. While they can be a lot of fun and a great source of exercise, injuries can result from defective pool equipment, poor designs, or negligence on the part of staff members. Injuries sustained in swimming pools can be minor or deadly and could include cuts and bumps, to spinal cord injuries, drowning, or electrocution.
Pools that are crowded and lack proper supervision can be extremely dangerous to visitors. In addition, pools that are not properly maintained can become contaminated, unsafe, and deadly. Many public and private pools have defective gates and fences, shallow and deep ends that are not properly marked, and diving boards that are poorly designed. In some cases, defective pool drains can trap people at the bottom of the pool, which can lead to a drowning death.
Serious accidents in pools are much more likely to occur at the home of a friend or a neighbor than at a public facility. Public facilities typically have lifeguards who are trained in first aid and CPR, and the pools are often maintained in a safer manner. Swimming pools at home, apartment complexes, neighborhoods, or private clubs are the more dangerous recreational options. Most of these incidents involve negligence on the part of the homeowner, so there is most likely insurance coverage available to pay any damages under the homeowner’s insurance policy.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed at a swimming pool, it’s important to stand up for your legal rights. At Liberty Law, Micha Star Liberty and Seth I. Rosenberg believe that those who are injured in swimming pool accidents must take the necessary legal steps to protect themselves. Call the San Francisco premises liability attorneys at Liberty Law at 415-896-1000 or 510-645-1000 to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.
