Swimming pools should be places of relaxation and fun—especially in a city like Las Vegas, where resorts, hotels, and residential complexes compete to offer luxury experiences under the desert sun. But that sense of comfort can quickly vanish when a pool area is not properly maintained or supervised. A slippery pool deck, a faulty drain, or a missing safety gate can turn a vacation into a tragedy in a matter of seconds.
Pool-related injuries are more common than many people realize, and their consequences can be life-altering—or even fatal. Near-drownings can cause permanent brain damage. Diving into shallow water can lead to paralysis. And simple oversights, like a missing warning sign or broken pool ladder, can leave guests facing months of recovery or lifelong impairment.
If you or someone you love has been injured in or around a swimming pool in Las Vegas, it is essential to understand your legal rights. Property owners and operators have a legal duty to keep pool areas safe. When they fail to meet that obligation, Drummond Law Firm is ready to hold them accountable.
Why Choose Drummond Law Firm After a Pool Injury?
At Drummond Law Firm, we do not take shortcuts—and we do not tolerate negligence that harms innocent people. Every swimming pool injury case we take is handled with the seriousness and strategic focus it deserves. We are trial-ready from day one, and our approach reflects the values instilled in our founder, former U.S. Army Captain Craig W. Drummond.
Military Discipline, Civilian Justice
Attorney Craig Drummond served with distinction as a U.S. Army JAG officer and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal during combat operations. That military background carries into our work with clients—bringing discipline, accountability, and integrity to every personal injury case we handle.
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, because experience shows that this preparation produces better outcomes. Opposing parties know we do not bluff—and we do not back down.
Attorney-Led Representation, Not Case Hand-Offs
At Drummond Law Firm, clients work directly with their attorney—not just intake staff or paralegals. We listen, ask the right questions, and build your case with a full understanding of how your injury has impacted your life. This attorney-led approach allows us to respond quickly, preserve evidence, and pursue the strongest possible legal strategy from the very beginning.
The Reduced Fee Guarantee®
We are the only law firm in Nevada that offers the Reduced Fee Guarantee. That means if your case settles before a lawsuit is filed, we will never take more from the settlement than you do. It is a simple promise based on fairness and transparency—because we believe our clients deserve justice without compromise.
Understanding Liability for Swimming Pool Accidents
Swimming pool accidents typically fall under Nevada’s premises liability laws. These laws require property owners to keep their premises reasonably safe for guests, tenants, and other lawful visitors. This includes hotels, resorts, apartment complexes, homeowners’ associations, and private landlords.
Pools are considered “hazardous areas” under the law, meaning property owners must exercise heightened caution in their design, maintenance, and supervision. When they fail to do so, and someone is injured as a result, they can be held legally responsible for the harm.
The Attractive Nuisance Doctrine
When children are involved, Nevada courts may also apply the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. This legal concept holds that certain features—like pools—are inherently enticing to children, who may not understand the risks. Property owners must take reasonable steps to prevent unsupervised access, such as installing locked gates, secure fencing, or alarms.
If a child enters a pool area and is injured, the owner may still be liable—even if the child was technically trespassing—if proper precautions were not taken.
Common Causes of Swimming Pool Injuries
Swimming pool injuries are almost always preventable. Whether the pool is located at a luxury resort, a suburban apartment complex, or a private residence, it is the property owner’s responsibility to ensure that safety measures are in place and functioning properly.
At Drummond Law Firm, we routinely investigate pool injury cases caused by the following failures:
Slippery Pool Decks or Lack of Non-Slip Surfaces
Water and tile are a dangerous combination. When pool decks are made of slick materials—or not properly treated with non-slip coatings—they become fall hazards. Property owners must anticipate wet conditions and take appropriate steps to reduce risk.
A slip near a pool can lead to fractured bones, head injuries, or worse—especially when the fall ends in or near the water.
Unsupervised or Poorly Supervised Swimming Areas
Many hotels and resorts advertise lifeguard services, but in reality, pool areas are often unattended or monitored by undertrained staff. Even when no lifeguard is present, clear signage is required to warn swimmers. If an accident occurs and the property failed to provide reasonable supervision or warnings, they may be held responsible.
This issue is especially critical at pools accessible to children or large groups.
Broken Ladders, Drains, or Filtration Systems
Pools require frequent inspection and upkeep. Broken ladders can cause falls, loose drain covers can trap hair or limbs, and malfunctioning filters can create suction hazards. Each of these issues is a red flag for poor maintenance.
These mechanical failures are often overlooked until someone is seriously injured.
Inadequate Fencing or Gates
Residential pools are required to have secure fencing and self-latching gates to prevent unsupervised access—especially in homes or apartment complexes where children may be present. When a pool is left unfenced or the gate fails, owners can be held liable under both premises liability and attractive nuisance doctrines.
Fencing regulations exist for a reason. When they are ignored, tragedy often follows.
Missing Depth Markers or Warning Signage
Without proper signage, swimmers cannot make informed decisions about where to dive, how deep the water is, or whether supervision is available. Missing depth markers can lead to catastrophic diving injuries, especially for guests unfamiliar with the property.
Warnings such as “No Diving” or “Shallow Water” are not optional—they are legal necessities under safety codes.
Types of Injuries in Swimming Pool Accidents
The injuries sustained in swimming pool accidents can range from painful to permanently disabling. At Drummond Law Firm, we have seen how devastating these injuries can be—not just physically, but emotionally and financially as well.
Drowning or Near-Drowning With Brain Damage
Even a brief submersion can lead to oxygen deprivation and brain injury. Survivors of near-drowning events may face long-term cognitive impairments, memory loss, or motor dysfunction. Children are especially vulnerable to these outcomes, and they often require extensive, lifelong care.
In fatal cases, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim under Nevada law.
Spinal Cord Injuries From Diving Accidents
When swimmers dive into shallow or unmarked water, they can suffer devastating spinal cord injuries. These accidents can result in partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, or loss of mobility. Often, these injuries occur at pools that lacked appropriate warnings or failed to restrict diving.
The long-term costs—medical, financial, and personal—can be overwhelming.
Cuts or Limb Entrapment From Broken Drains or Tiles
A missing or broken drain cover can create powerful suction, pulling limbs or hair into the pipe system. Likewise, jagged or broken tiles can lead to severe lacerations, requiring stitches or even reconstructive surgery.
These are clear examples of preventable hazards that signal poor maintenance.
Slip and Fall Injuries
A slip and fall near the water can lead to concussions, broken bones, and back or hip injuries. These incidents are often dismissed as minor accidents, but in reality, they are usually caused by slippery surfaces, lack of railings, or poorly designed access areas.
Falls are among the most common pool-related injuries—and often among the most overlooked by property owners.
Chemical Burns or Respiratory Issues
Improperly balanced pool chemicals can cause skin burns, eye damage, or respiratory problems from inhaled fumes. Guests may experience rashes, coughing fits, or more serious conditions after exposure to pools with poor chemical regulation.
This is a maintenance issue—and one that is entirely preventable with proper training and oversight.
Who May Be Liable for a Pool Accident?
Determining liability in swimming pool injury cases requires a careful look at who controlled or maintained the property where the accident occurred. Liability can vary widely depending on whether the pool is located at a commercial facility, residential complex, or private home. At Drummond Law Firm, we assess each case individually to identify every responsible party.
Hotels, Resorts, or Casinos That Failed to Maintain Pool Safety
Large hospitality properties often operate pools as amenities for guests and visitors. These businesses have a heightened duty to provide safe environments, including regular maintenance, adequate supervision, and compliance with safety codes. Failure to maintain pool equipment, supervise swimmers, or properly warn guests of hazards can expose these operators to liability.
We investigate ownership structures to ensure all corporate entities responsible for pool safety are included in claims.
Apartment Complexes or Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs)
Many residential communities feature shared pools for tenants or homeowners. These properties are typically managed by HOAs or property management companies, which are legally obligated to maintain pool safety features like fencing, gates, chemical balance, and lifeguard coverage where required.
When a pool injury occurs in these settings, liability often extends to both the HOA board and any contracted management firms.
Private Homeowners (Especially in Child Injury Cases)
In cases involving children, private homeowners can be held liable under the attractive nuisance doctrine if their pool is not properly secured. Failure to install compliant fencing, gates, or alarms that prevent unsupervised access to the pool may result in liability for injuries or drownings.
These cases require careful investigation of property conditions and safety code compliance.
Lifeguard Companies or Third-Party Contractors
Some pools—particularly in hotels or large apartment complexes—contract with third-party lifeguard services to provide supervision. If lifeguards are negligent, absent, or undertrained at the time of an incident, these companies may share legal responsibility.
Similarly, pool maintenance companies that fail to inspect or repair hazards like broken drains or faulty filtration systems may be liable.
Pool Maintenance Providers
Proper chemical balance and equipment maintenance are critical to pool safety. Companies responsible for cleaning, chemical treatment, and equipment upkeep must meet strict standards. Failure to do so can lead to chemical burns, infections, or mechanical injuries.
We subpoena maintenance logs and inspection records to document any lapses in care.
Challenges in Proving a Swimming Pool Injury Case
Swimming pool injury claims present unique legal challenges that require careful navigation to build a successful case.
Lack of Witnesses or Surveillance Footage
Many pool accidents occur quickly and without witnesses—especially in residential settings or unsupervised public pools. Hotels and resorts may have security cameras, but footage is often deleted quickly or selectively withheld.
Our legal team acts fast to preserve all potential evidence before it disappears.
Disputes Over Trespassing or Proper Supervision
Owners may claim injured parties were trespassing or not following posted rules. In cases involving children, there may be questions about whether supervision was adequate or whether a parent or guardian contributed to the injury.
We investigate supervision policies, posted signage, and circumstances surrounding access to the pool.
Inconsistent or Delayed Reporting of Hazardous Conditions
Property owners may not document or timely report pool hazards such as broken equipment, chemical imbalances, or prior incidents. This lack of transparency complicates proving negligence.
We request all maintenance and incident logs, and if necessary, use legal tools to compel disclosure.
Shared Responsibility Between Multiple Parties
Pool injuries often involve multiple responsible parties—owners, management, contractors, and others. Establishing who had control over the hazardous condition or supervision at the time of injury is key to maximizing recovery.
Our attorneys develop strategies to hold all liable entities accountable.
How Our Legal Team Builds a Strong Pool Injury Claim
Drummond Law Firm’s experience and resources enable us to thoroughly investigate pool injuries and construct compelling cases.
Collecting Maintenance Logs and Inspection Records
We begin by demanding full access to all maintenance documents, inspection reports, and repair histories. These records reveal whether property owners or contractors followed safety protocols and promptly addressed hazards.
Interviewing Lifeguards, Witnesses, or Hotel Staff
Eyewitness accounts provide vital insight into what happened. We interview staff on duty, lifeguards present, and any guests who witnessed the incident to gather details that support your claim.
Reviewing Security Footage
Where available, surveillance video often proves crucial. We work to secure and review footage that captures the incident, pool conditions, or prior safety issues.
Working With Medical and Safety Experts
Medical professionals help us document the extent of injuries and expected recovery. Safety experts evaluate the pool’s design, equipment, and maintenance against industry standards and local regulations to identify code violations or negligence.
Documenting Code Violations and Regulatory Failures
We investigate whether the property met Nevada’s pool safety laws, including fencing, signage, lifeguard requirements, and equipment standards. Any deviations strengthen our case and can support claims for punitive damages in egregious cases.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Discover how Drummond Firm has helped car accident victims in Las Vegas recover and rebuild. Our clients share their stories of compassionate support and successful outcomes.
Protect Your Rights and Contact Us Today
Time is of the essence after a pool injury. Prompt legal action preserves evidence, respects filing deadlines, and positions you for the best possible outcome. At Drummond Law Firm, we are ready to act immediately on your behalf.
We offer free consultations, do not charge any upfront fees, and only collect payment if we secure a recovery for you. With our Reduced Fee Guarantee, you will never pay more than your settlement.
Call the Captain today to schedule your free consultation and get the experienced, hands-on representation you deserve. Let us fight for your rights so you can focus on healing.