Swimming Pool Accident Attorney In Middletown, CT
When having fun at the pool, patrons may forget to exercise extreme caution. Swimming pools are incredibly dangerous; when another party’s carelessness leads to an accident, the effects can be devastating. If this happens, having a strong legal advocate is key. Reach out to a Middletown swimming pool accident lawyer at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC.
Why Connecticut Locals Depend on Our Personal Injury Law Firm
With over 150 years of combined professional experience, the attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, have represented hundreds of Connecticut clients during their most difficult times in life.
We’ve secured substantial results for our clients. Some recent settlements of ours include:
- $2.2 million for a university student who drowned in an apartment complex pool, resulting in a traumatic brain injury
- $2.18 million for a graduate student who almost drowned in a condominium swimming pool
Our New Haven office offers Connecticut residents initial consultations. During your appointment, you can explain your situation and desired outcome. From there, our personal injury attorneys can fight tirelessly for your case.
Connecticut Laws Surrounding Personal Injury
Between 2021 and 2024, 46 residents of Connecticut have died due to drowning. Connecticut allows the survivors of these incidents to pursue compensation for their pain. To do this, the court will assign each party a percentage of fault for the accident. Then, any compensation will be reduced by the filing party’s percentage of fault. This makes sure the guilty party only pays for what they’re at fault for.
However, if you’re found to be more than 50% at fault for the incident, you can’t pursue any compensation.
For example:
- If you were at a swimming pool while intoxicated, you may be 30% at fault for the accident.
- If you slipped and hit your head, the business owner may be 70% at fault.
- If you won a $100,000 settlement, it would be reduced by 30%, making your final compensation $70,000.
What Types of Damages Can Be Recovered in Swimming Pool Accident Cases?
In the United States, there’s an average of 22 non-fatal drownings per day. The effects of a non-fatal drowning can be extreme and long-lasting.
When filing your legal claim at the Connecticut Courthouse, located at 1 Court Street, you’ll need to request a compensation amount. This number is never random; rather, it is calculated by your attorney based on the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the incident.
These can include economic losses, such as:
- Surgeries
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medication
- Medical aid devices
- Talk therapy
- Lost income from missing work due to injuries
You can also file for non-economic losses. While more subjective, they’re equally as important as economic damages. They include pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
Depending on your specific situation, you could also file for punitive damages. These are awarded in special cases, where the guilty party acted with extreme malice or recklessness. They are meant to further punish them and deter any similar actions from happening in the future.
When reviewing your case, the attorneys at Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, can determine if punitive damages are justified.
FAQs
What Is the Deadline for Filing My Swimming Pool Accident Case in Middletown?
Connecticut’s swimming pool accident laws give survivors two years to file a legal claim. This deadline may seem long, but the longer you wait, the harder it is to have a successful case. Gathering and preserving evidence is easier when you hire a Middletown swimming pool accident attorney to do it for you. If you fail to file within the two-year timeline, the court will most likely dismiss your case entirely and bar you from pursuing any compensation.
What Evidence Can Support My Case?
Extensive and diverse evidence can support survivors’ cases. Your lawyer can collect witness testimony and expert opinions about what caused the accident. If there’s surveillance footage, your attorney can quickly obtain it before the footage tapes over itself. Be sure to include photos and videos of any aspect of the incident, along with copies of your medical records.
What Should I Do Right After a Swimming Pool Accident?
After being in a swimming pool accident, you’ll want to call 911 to report it and seek medical attention. Collect the contact information of the other party involved, or take photos of the contact information of the business. Be sure to take extensive photos and videos of where the accident happened, any visible injuries you have, and any hazards that may add to your case. Then, hire a swimming pool accident lawyer to represent you through the legal proceedings.
What If My Loved One Passed Away From the Swimming Pool Incident?
If someone dies from a swimming pool accident in Connecticut due to the fault of another party, the law allows the victim’s estate to file a wrongful death claim. The person in charge of the estate can file. They can ask for compensation to cover medical bills, hospital costs, nursing care, and funeral expenses, along with fair compensation for the loss itself.
How Long Do I Have to File a Wrongful Death Case in Connecticut?
A wrongful death claim must usually be filed within two years from the date of death. However, it cannot be filed more than five years after the accident or the careless act that caused the death. In very rare cases, if the person who caused the death is convicted of certain serious crimes, like murder or manslaughter, the claim can be filed at any time.
Hire a Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer Today
While compensation can’t take away the pain of what happened, it can make your present and future easier to face. You deserve justice, and pursuing compensation is your legal right as a Connecticut resident. Let Williams, Walsh & O’Connor, LLC, help you take back control of your life. Reach out to our New Haven office today to schedule your first consultation with one of our attorneys.
