Swimming and Diving Accidents

August 24, 2021, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Swimming and diving accidents are the largest sport related cause of spinal cord injury (SCI) in Canada. Whether it’s an adult or child who sustains the head and SCI swimming it is often a life altering tragedy.

Most pool accidents in Canada occur in private pools or unsupervised open waters like lakes, rivers and ponds. The majority of the SCI accidents happen to men. Drugs and alcohol are commonly involved as well. Studies report that in most cases the accidents occur somewhere new to the individual – somewhere they never swam before.

Common Causes of Swimming Accidents

•    Lack of supervision. Watch all children closely. Enforce safety rules – no running on pool deck, no diving, and no missing alcohol or drugs with swimming. Keep the pool deck clear, have rescue equipment at hand and a safety plan in the event of an accident.
•    In open water settings ensure children are wearing life jackets or are within arm’s reach with able swimmers supervising
•    Lack of knowledgeable/trained rescuers. Consider hiring a lifeguard if you are hosting an event with many people and children attending. They can enforce the rules for you and are trained in first aid and rescue.
•    If you are swimming/diving in open waters make sure the water is clear. Check for hidden rocks, boulders and logs. Ensure the water is safe.
•    Never swim alone.

Common diving injuries include paraplegia and quadriplegia. Drowning and death can also occur.

Remember that as the owner of waterfront property or host of a pool party you have an obligation to keep guests safe.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pool or diving accident due to the recklessness or negligence of someone else contact our experienced lawyers today.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.