$14.5M
Recovery for a victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury due to unsafe property conditions.
Personal Injury
California Swimming Pool Accident Lawyers
Were you or your child hurt in a swimming pool accident? At Wilshire Law Firm — an award-winning, nationally recognized team — our attorneys help California victims of drownings, defective drains, and unsafe pools pursue full compensation. Contact us 24/7 for a free case review with a legal professional — there are no fees unless you get paid.
- $3B+RECOVERED
- 7X"BEST LAW FIRM" AWARDS
- 24/7AVAILABILITY & SUPPORT
- 500+LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
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 pool owners to maintenance companies and equipment manufacturers — and handle the insurance companies for you. There are no fees unless you get paid.
Most swimming pool accidents trace back to preventable negligence. The leading causes we see include a 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 failed to keep the pool safe is central to a premises liability claim, and our attorneys handle that investigation for you.
Swimming pool accidents can cause catastrophic, life-changing injuries. The most common we handle include drowning and near-drowning incidents, traumatic brain injuries from oxygen loss or falls, spinal cord injuries and paralysis from diving, broken bones and fractures, and cuts, bruises, and soft-tissue injuries. Near-drowning survivors — especially children — can face permanent neurological damage, so a legal professional can help you pursue compensation for lifetime care.
Liability generally falls on whoever failed to keep the pool reasonably safe. Depending on the facts, responsible parties can include private homeowners, apartment complexes and HOAs, hotels and resorts, public pools and water parks, pool maintenance companies, and manufacturers of defective drains or equipment. Under California's Swimming Pool Safety Act (Health & Safety Code §115920 et seq.), pools generally must have proper barriers and compliant anti-entrapment drain covers, and violations can help establish negligence.
In most California swimming pool accident cases you have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1), and two years for a wrongful death claim. When a public pool or government entity is involved, you generally must file an administrative claim within six months. Because missing a deadline can end your case, it's 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.
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
Alivia E. Abreu, Esq.Partner
Shervin G. Ghanoongooi, Esq.Partner
Christopher Goodroe, Esq.Partner
Nathan A. GuestPartner and Trial Attorney
Brian M. Jacobson, Esq.Partner
Ariella Perry, Esq.Partner$12.0M
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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?
You likely have a valid swimming pool accident claim if three factors are present — negligence, injury, and causation. Negligence means a pool owner or operator failed to provide reasonable safety, such as fencing, supervision, or compliant drain covers. Injury means you or a loved one suffered real harm. Causation links that unsafe condition to the injury. California's two-year statute of limitations generally 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 Whistleblower Retaliation Settlement
2023
#1 Underinsured Motorist Settlement
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#1 Slip & Fall Accident Settlement
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#1 Negligent Security Settlement
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#1 Ladder Accident Settlement
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#1 Hotel Premises Liability Settlement
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#1 Car v. Car Collision Settlement
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#1 Bicycle Accident Settlement
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#1 Pregnancy Discrimination Settlement
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#1 Age/Disability Discrimination Settlement
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#1 Wrongful Termination Settlement
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#1 Meal & Rest Breaks Settlement
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*#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.
Liability generally falls on whoever failed to keep the pool reasonably safe, such as a homeowner, an apartment complex or HOA, a hotel, or a public operator, and sometimes the maker of a defective drain, pump, or cover. When a defective product is involved, a strict product liability claim may also apply. More than one party can share responsibility.
Responsibility often rests with the person who controlled the pool and failed to secure it, such as with required fencing or a self-latching gate. California's attractive-nuisance doctrine can make an owner responsible when an unsecured pool draws in a child, even one who was not invited. Because these rules are not summarized in our reference materials, an attorney should confirm how they apply.
Yes. California follows pure comparative negligence, so recovery is reduced by the injured person's share of fault rather than barred. With children, the standard of care expected is adjusted for their age, which an attorney can explain.
A personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit generally must be filed within two years of the injury. When a public or government-owned pool is involved, a six-month government claim deadline can apply first. Deadlines have exceptions, so confirm yours promptly. For tips on choosing an attorney, see our guide on hiring an auto accident lawyer; much of it applies to any case.