Texas Injury Lawyers Blog
Saturday, August 29, 2020: HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A teen has died after he was electrocuted in a hotel pool Saturday afternoon in north Houston. The incident happened at the North Villa Inn located on the 16500 block of the North Freeway and North Vista Drive.
Harris County Pct. 4 deputies say a 15-year-old juvenile was in the hotel’s pool when he was electrocuted. Officials said the teen’s father pulled him out of the pool and paramedics performed CPR. The teen was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died. Exposed wiring in the pool may have been the cause of the electrocution, the Harris County Sheriff’s office is investigating.
You may think you know what drowning looks like. But in reality, someone could drown just feet away from you without you noticing. Drowning is quiet and fast, with subtle signs that are easily missed, particularly if in a crowded space or unfamiliar and challenging conditions. Always check hotel pools for signs of maintenance and upkeep. Water safety advocates are calling on pool owners to take precautions. Make sure the electrical equipment is a safe distance away from the pool and that the pool is properly maintained so there’s no corrosion on the wires.
- A pool must be maintained daily in accordance with local, state, and national pool codes designed to keep the public safe from harm.
- The most important code is that of “water clarity.” One must be able to clearly see the drain in the deepest part of the pool at all times. A murky or cloudy pool is a very dangerous condition that often results in unnecessary drownings due to dangerous conditions inside the pool.
- If you see a cloudy pool call the local health department and have them close the pool. It’s extremely important to alert pool management immediately.
- Additionally, swimming pools must be equipped with “functioning safety equipment” in order to be open for public use.
- Every class “C” pool (apartment pools/hotels) must have working 911 emergency phones that when used directly connect to a 911 operator to send help should emergency assistance be needed.
- Pools that are over five feet in depth must also have float ropes to distinguish depths of the pool.
- Pools must also have clearly marked depth markers and accurately filled pools to alert swimmers of the proper depths of the pool.
- If a pool is overloaded where water is above the depth markers it can deceive swimmers as to exactly how deep a pool really is.
- A shepherd’s hook must be easily seen and used to rescue a swimmer in distress, along with a throw rope and ring buoy.
If a family member or loved one has been injured or has suffered a wrongful death due to pool or water related drownings, accidents or incidences, contact an attorney who specializes in these cases to review your legal options. We have at your disposal one of the top attorneys in the nation on pool and pool litigation in the state. In this type of situation where you are injured you may be entitled to compensation for damages, medical treatments, and lost wages due to the incident.
Lawyers at Carabin Shaw help clients get the care and attention they deserve after a serious incident. Our experienced attorneys represent people and families who have suffered catastrophic injuries and tragic wrongful deaths throughout the state of Texas. If a loved one has been injured or worse, contact us today at (800) 862-1260.
The personal injury attorneys of Carabin Shaw provided the information herein as a community service.