If you are swimming or boating in an area with a lifeguard and you are injured, or a loved one is killed, can someone else be held responsible? Specifically, can the lifeguard (or the company they work for) be held accountable? It all depends on several important factors. Keep reading to learn what they are and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Lifeguard Negligence Can Lead to All Types of Injuries
There are a number of injuries a person might suffer from due to a lifeguard acting negligently. This list includes head injuries, slip and fall injuries, drowning, boating injuries, death, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones, amongst other injuries. If you or a loved one suffers one of these injuries when a lifeguard is present, it is worth contacting a personal injury attorney to determine what your options are.
You Might Be Able to Recover Compensation for a Number of Damages
If you suffer an injury caused by a lifeguard acting negligently and you win your personal injury lawsuit, you could recover compensation for a host of damages. These include medical costs (both past and future), lost income, loss of consortium, ongoing physical therapy, and pain and suffering. This is only a partial list – if you have questions about it, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker.
Others Might Be Held Liable for the Negligence of a Lifeguard
If the lifeguard acts negligently then they might be held liable, but they are not the only potentially responsible parties. Others who could be found at fault include the pool manager, training supervisor, pool owner, fellow lifeguards, or the boat operator. It might even be that there are several at-fault parties.
Situations in Which a Lifeguard Can Be Negligent
There are a number of ways that a lifeguard could be found negligent. The basic criteria is that the lifeguard must not have acted in a way that is considered “reasonable” for another lifeguard in the same situation. For example, if the lifeguard does not supervise the water for drownings or other potential injuries, is too tired to do their job properly, or leaves their lifeguard stand when they are not authorized to do so, these are all potentially negligent behaviors.
Likewise, if the lifeguard has not been properly trained in First Aid, CPR, and other life-saving techniques, if they come to work while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (or so hungover from these substances that they cannot concentrate), or if they do not have required life-saving devices, such as flotation devices, they could be found at fault.
The best way to determine what your options are is to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We are standing by to provide a comprehensive assessment so you know what your options are.
