St. Petersburg, FL Swimming Accident Attorney

No Fee or Cost Unless We Win

Pinellas County, Florida Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys
Whittel & Melton, LLC
Assisting Swimming Pool Injury Victims and Families Statewide
Including St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs
Don’t Face the Judge Alone!
944 4th Street N., Suite 600
St. Petersburg, Florida
727-847-2299

Florida’s Swimming Pool Accident and Injury Lawyers Whittel & Melton St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs

The state of Florida has the highest drowning death rate for children under the age of five than any other state in the country. According to the Florida Department of Health, 485 residents drowned and another 388 were treated in the hospital for non-fatal drownings in 2009. Children between the ages of one and four accounted for 13 percent of these deaths and 43 percent were hospitalized. It is estimated that the number of children that drown in Florida’s residential swimming pools every year could fill almost four preschool classrooms.

According to a 2006 Survey of Residential Swimming Pools Assessed by Florida County Property Appraisers, there are an estimated 1.1 million residential swimming pools that exist in Florida. In Pinellas County alone, 65,505 residential properties were found to have swimming pools on site. This is not uncommon seeing that Florida’s summers can be blistering hot and a cool dip in a swimming pool can provide relief from these sweltering temperatures. Unfortunately, with so many swimming pools comes a high drowning and near-drowning accident rate. If you or someone you care for has been the victim of a swimming pool accident, whether through a slip and fall catastrophe, electrocution, drowning or any other type of pool injury, please contact the skilled Florida Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or at 813-221-3200.

Any property owner in Pinellas County or throughout Florida with a pool on their residential property must meet several requirements to prevent drowning tragedies from happening. The following characteristics must be met:

• A barrier of at least four feet in height surrounding the perimeter of the pool with no gaps, openings, holes or any other type of structural component that could allow a small child to crawl under or climb over the barrier.
• The barrier must not be placed too close to the water’s edge in case a small child or frail elderly person pushes through the barrier and immediately falls into water.
• A fence, wall or other type of enclosure must surround the yard around the pool.
• Any steps or ladders that allow access to an above ground pool must be able to be locked, removed or secured so that access can be prevented.
• Any gate attached that allows access to the pool must open outward away from the pool be able to close on its own with a self-latching lock.

While these safety features are a MUST for any Florida residence housing a swimming pool, a few other safety precautions include:

• Remote Cameras
• Efficient Pool Covers
• Motion Detectors

Accidents that happen in or around pools are usually very serious and involve a special set of circumstances. Proving another person’s negligence is the reason for any injuries suffered can be an intricate matter and be difficult to prove. It is essential that if you were hurt or a family member was killed in a swimming pool accident for you to contact a knowledgeable Swimming Pool Accident Attorney at Whittel & Melton right away–early investigation into your case is vital.

We represent Pinellas County, Florida Swimming Pool Accidents for clients from Belleair, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Kenneth City, Largo, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor, Seminole, South Pasedena, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tarpon Springs and Treasure Island.

Swimming pool accidents can arise from a variety of factors and injuries can range in their severity. Our attorneys at Whittel & Melton know just how devastating these injuries or deaths to your loved ones can be. Near-drowning accidents can leave your son, daughter, niece or nephew with permanent brain damage because of a lack of oxygen to the brain. Spinal injuries can erupt from diving boards being built in pools that are too shallow for diving. Faulty pool drains and electrical cords placed in close proximity of the pool can also cause serious and even lethal accidents. If someone’s careless action or blatant disregard resulted in the death or injury of your loved ones, the reckless party could be held liable for the costs and suffering you have been burdened with.

Call Whittel & Melton today for a complimentary consultation so we can help you get started with the healing process. You can reach us online or by phone statewide and toll-free at 1-866-608-5LAW (5529). If you were injured in Pinellas County, you can reach us 24/7 at 813-221-3200. We are available nights and weekends for your convenience and even make house calls and hospital visits.

Pinellas County, Florida Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys
Whittel & Melton, LLC
944 4th Street N., Suite 600
St. Petersburg, Florida
727-847-2299