$14.5M
Mountain View premises liability settlement: a concertgoer suffered a traumatic brain injury at an event venue. The claim focused on the venue's duty to keep guests safe.
Personal Injury
California Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer
Were you or a loved one hurt in a pool accident? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help injured Californians pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
- $3B+RECOVERED
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Understanding Your Premises Liability Case
Explore essential resources on your rights, your options, and what to expect — everything you need to navigate the legal process, all in one place.
Wilshire Law Firm is an award-winning, nationally recognized team that has recovered compensation for thousands of injured Californians. Our attorneys investigate how the accident happened, identify every responsible party — from property owners to equipment manufacturers — and handle the insurance companies for you. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Most pool accidents trace back to preventable negligence. The leading causes we see include lack of proper supervision, defective pool equipment or drains, slippery surfaces and unsafe walkways, missing or broken safety barriers and fencing, and negligent maintenance or failure to follow safety regulations. Establishing who was negligent is central to your claim, and our attorneys handle that investigation for you.
Pool accidents often cause catastrophic, life-altering injuries. Common injuries include drowning and near-drowning incidents, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and paralysis, broken bones and fractures, and cuts, bruises, and soft tissue damage. Because these injuries can require lifelong care, a legal professional can review your losses during a free case review. Related help: Brain injuries → · Catastrophic injuries →
Liability generally falls on whoever failed to keep the pool reasonably safe. Under California premises liability law (Civil Code §1714), property owners — including homeowners, hotels, apartment complexes, and public facilities — owe a duty to maintain safe conditions, provide required fencing, and warn of hazards. When faulty drains, pumps, or gates are involved, an equipment manufacturer may also share fault. Our attorneys identify every liable party. Learn more: Premises liability →
California law imposes strict safety requirements on pool owners. The Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §115920 et seq.) generally requires drowning-prevention barriers such as enclosing fences, self-closing and self-latching gates, and approved safety covers, while the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act mandates anti-entrapment drain covers. A violation of these rules can be strong evidence of negligence, and a legal professional can review how they apply to your case.
In most California swimming pool accident cases you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1). Claims against a government entity — such as a public or municipal pool — have much shorter deadlines, often six months. Because missing a deadline can end your case, it is best to speak with a legal professional early.
Meet Our Premises Liability Attorneys
Nationally Recognized Powerhouse, Fighting for the Justice You Deserve
Our award-winning attorneys have recovered billions for clients while taking on insurance companies and major corporations.
Learn more about the team
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Colin M. Jones, Esq.Senior Partner and Senior Trial Attorney, Chair of the Personal Injury Litigation Department
Jennifer P. Burkes, Esq.Senior Partner & Strategic Advisor, Personal Injury Litigation Department
Mary Lee Caruso, Esq.Senior Partner
Ryan Casey, Esq.Senior Partner and Trial Attorney
Tae-Yoon Kim, Esq.Senior Partner
Philip Andonian, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. Guest, Esq.Partner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.PartnerRecent wins
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$6.0M
Rialto premises liability settlement: a store's motorized cart rolled when its brakes did not hold, causing a shopper to fall onto concrete and suffer serious head and back injuries.
$3.5M
Fullerton premises liability settlement: a loose apartment stair railing shifted as a person held it, causing a fall down the stairs and serious injuries to both arms.
$3.0M
Ventura County premises liability settlement: a tree on the grounds of an apartment complex fell onto a resident's vehicle as the resident was leaving, causing pain and body soreness.
$2.8M
Shasta County premises liability settlement: a child fell from an open hotel window that had no safety bars, suffering serious head, arm and other injuries.
$2.3M
Los Angeles premises liability settlement: a person facing a blocked exit jumped from a second-floor apartment during a fire and suffered extensive burn injuries. No fire alarm sounded.
$2.0M
Stockton premises liability settlement: a stair handrail broke during a home remodel, causing a person painting from a ladder to fall down the stairs and suffer serious leg injuries.
$2.0M
San Diego County premises liability settlement: scalding tap water left a child with extensive burn injuries in a rental apartment where tenants had complained about the water temperature.
$2.0M
Rancho Cucamonga premises liability settlement: an employee rushing out of a kitchen knocked a customer to the floor, causing leg, arm and back injuries.
$1.4M
West Hollywood premises liability settlement: an uneven, patched walkway at a residential complex caused a resident to fall, resulting in serious leg injuries.
$1.3M
Gardena premises liability settlement: a tenant walking to a car at a rental home stepped on nails spilled during roof renovations, causing catastrophic injuries.
$350K
Kern County premises liability settlement: a restroom stall door left unrepaired for over a year caused a serious injury to a child.
*Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Each case is unique and evaluated on its own facts.
How Do I Know If I Have a Swimming Pool Accident Claim in California?
Three factors determine whether you have a valid swimming pool accident claim — fault, damages, and proof. Fault means a property owner or another party's negligence, such as a broken gate or defective drain, caused the accident. Damages are your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Proof includes photos, incident reports, maintenance records, and witness statements. California's statute of limitations applies, so contact Wilshire Law Firm for a free case evaluation.
Start Your Free Premises Liability Case Review
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Record-breaking results
Winners of #1 Settlements in California
Our attorneys have recovered billions of dollars, including some of the biggest settlements in California.
17#1 Settlements in California, 2022–2024*
TopVerdict #1TopVerdict.com #1 settlements
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#1 Truck v. Pedestrian Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Multi-Vehicle Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Equipment Malfunction Settlement
2024
#1 Car v. Stationary Object Collision Settlement
2024
#1 Bus v. Passenger Accident Settlement
2024
#1 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
2023
#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Negligent Security Settlement
2023
#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
2023
#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
2023
#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
2023
#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
2022
#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
2022
#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
2022
*#1 settlements in California have been awarded by TopVerdict.com. Past results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
Premises Liability FAQs
Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We've answered the most common ones below. If yours isn't here, call us — we're available 24/7.
California law generally requires residential and public pool owners to use safety features such as fencing and self-latching gates or approved drain covers to help prevent drownings, and failing to provide them can support a claim. The specific pool-safety statutes are not summarized in our reference materials, so an attorney should confirm which requirements applied to your situation.
Yes. When a drowning is fatal, surviving family members such as a spouse, domestic partner, or children may pursue a wrongful death claim for losses like funeral costs, lost support, and loss of companionship. Who may file is defined by statute. These cases are emotionally difficult, and an attorney can handle the process.
A drowning or injury at a city or county pool usually triggers a special process: you generally must file a government claim within six months before you can sue. Missing that shorter deadline can bar your case. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly.
Yes. California's pure comparative negligence rule reduces recovery by the injured person's share of fault rather than barring it. For children, the care expected is measured against their age, which an attorney can explain.