Electrocution accidents in hot tubs, Jacuzzis, and swimming pools are extremely dangerous incidents that can cause severe injury or death. Most of these accidents occur due to defective or poorly maintained equipment that release electric currents into the water. These currents can enter your body and cause an electric shock. Common sources of electrical shocks in pools and Jacuzzis include:
- Faulty underwater lights
- Defective pumps and filters
- Old wiring or wiring that’s not up to code
- Improperly grounded equipment
- Improperly grounded cables
- Metal parts not being bonded to each other
As you can see, these are basic safety precautions that any owner or business can resolve in order to prevent an accident. If you suffered an electrical shock due to the hot tub, Jacuzzi, or pool owner’s negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation. One of our lawyers can advise you of your rights and legal options during a free case evaluation.
What is an Electrical Injury?
Electrical injuries are categorized as electrical shock, electrical burns, thermal burns, loss of muscle control. When you are in a body of water, electrical shock is the injury you are most likely to sustain. This can result in the following complications:
- Extreme pain
- Damage to the internal organs
- Burns along the area where the current entered your body
- Muscle spasms
- Respiratory distress (trouble breathing)
- Irregular heartbeat
- Unconsciousness
- Paralysis
- Vision / hearing loss
- Drowning
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Death
Electrocution incidents are surprisingly common, considering all the safety precautions that are available these days. At least 30,000 people are injured in electric shock accidents every year, and around 1,000 of those accidents result in death.
Private residence and business owners have a legal duty to maintain the equipment and wring in their pools and hot tubs. If they have failed in their duty of care and you were injured as a result, please take some time to speak with one of our attorneys. We can take immediate action on your behalf and ensure that sure you are adequately compensated by the liable parties.
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Common Locations for Hot Tub / Swimming Pool Electric Shock Accidents
A hot tub, Jacuzzi, or swimming pool electric shock injury can happen in many settings. Here are some examples:
- At a spa
- In a hotel
- Gym / fitness center
- Apartment building
- Condo association
- Private residence
Regardless of where you had your accident, legal advice is essential to recovering from your injuries. The damages from an electrical shock can be long-lasting or permanent, meaning you may need medical treatment for many years. You may also suffer from the emotional trauma of your accident, which is another injury that merits compensation. However, you must take immediate action on an injury claim to receive the settlement you deserve.
What to do if you’ve been Electrocuted in a Hot Tub / Jacuzzi or Swimming Pool
Due to the devastating consequences of an electric shock accident, there are certain steps you should take right away:
- Seek medical attention. Please do this no matter how you feel, as you will need to make sure that there are no underlying damages. You must also have medical evidence of your injuries in order to sue for compensation.
- Notify the owner / file an accident report, which will initiate an injury claim with the insurance company. Make sure to get a copy of the report before you leave, but avoid signing anything until you’ve had it reviewed by an attorney.
- Take photos of your injuries and the accident scene. If you can, look around for cameras that may have caught footage of your accident.
- Preserve any physical evidence, such as damaged property and the bathing suit / clothes you were wearing.
- Get statements from witnesses, or ask for their contact information.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They can advise you of your legal options and start the process of gathering evidence for your case.
Can I sue for an Electrocution Injury?
Yes, you can sue for an electrocution injury if your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. Generally, negligence refers to an owner’s failure to resolve a hazardous situation on their property. This includes proper cleaning, maintenance, and repairs on a pool, hot tub, or Jacuzzi that’s on the premises. Other circumstances may be involved in your accident, so make sure to discuss your case with an experienced premises liability lawyer.
The business or property owner may not be the only party we can go after. In cases involving electrical equipment, manufacturers and contractors may also be responsible. Mechanical defects, improper installation, and other factors may have contributed to your accident, which are all avenues we can investigate on your behalf.
What can I Receive from a Lawsuit?
An electrocution injury lawsuit includes a variety of economic and non-economic damages, which are based on the extent of our injuries and what they take away from your life. Here are some of the damages you may be able to recover:
- Cost of medical treatments
- Cost of therapy
- Future medical expenses / lifetime care costs
- Lost wages
- Future lost wages if you’re unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
It’s essential to demand every form of compensation you are entitled to, considering the effect an electric shock accident has on your life. If you are disabled, for example, you will need compensation for future wages and medical care. Then, there’s the emotional trauma of being in an accident, and how it can easily turn into PTSD and other mental health conditions. Our lawyers will fight for the full value of your losses and ensure that you have the necessary funds to move forward with your life.
Wrongful Death Compensation for Family Members and Loved Ones
Fatality is the most tragic consequence of a hot tub or swimming pool electric shock accident. The losses left behind are incredibly difficult for family members and loved ones to manage on their own. If the accident that took away the decedent was caused by negligence, compensation may be recovered through a wrongful death lawsuit.
Unlike a personal injury lawsuit, the damages you can recover are based on what you have lost as a result of your loved one’s death. These losses generally include:
- Medical bills
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of expected wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of benefits (pension, healthcare, etc.)
- Legal fees
A wrongful death claims attorney at our firm can take the needed actions to recover these damages. However, there are special rules and considerations you will need to be aware of when you are claiming this type of compensation. To ensure that you are aware of your legal rights, schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Statute of Limitations for an Electric Shock Injury Lawsuit
California imposes a strict statute of limitations on personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, so it’s important to get started on a claim right away. For an electric shock injury, you have two years from the date of the accident or the date of death to demand compensation from the owner and other liable entities.
This is not a lot of time, considering that you will have to file an injury claim and try to negotiate a settlement through the insurance company. That process can take anywhere from 6 months to a year, depending on the severity of your injuries. A lawsuit is only filed if you are unable to negotiate a fair amount of damages with the defendant.
If you do not file your lawsuit within the 2-year SOL, you may permanently lose your right to monetary damages. There are very few exceptions to this rule, so give us a call right away if you or a loved one was electrocuted in a hot tub, Jacuzzi, or swimming pool.
Speak to an Electric Shock Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know was injured or killed due to an electrical accident, please give us a call at your earliest convenience. Electric shocks in pools and tubs can be easily prevented, but sadly, many property owners are lax in their duty of care to guests and visitors. Our attorneys have the experience to recover your losses and ensure that the responsible entities pay for the harm they’ve caused you and your family.
When you choose our law firm, you will pay nothing upfront for our services. With our Zero fee guarantee, we only get paid by winning your case. If we don’t recover the settlement you deserve, you owe us nothing, no matter how much work was done on your case. Essentially, you have nothing to lose by taking some time to speak with one of our attorneys. Please give us a call and schedule a free case evaluation.
