Attorney Michael Rehm — (800) 978-0754

San Francisco Pool Accident Attorney

Swimming pool accidents produce some of the most severe injuries in premises liability law — drowning, near-drowning with hypoxic brain injury, spinal cord injuries from diving into shallow water, and traumatic injuries from pool deck falls. San Francisco's pool accident claims arise from residential pools in the city's single-family and multi-unit housing stock, hotel and athletic club pools, and public aquatic facilities operated by the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. Attorney Michael Rehm represents people injured in pool accidents throughout San Francisco and San Francisco County. These claims are filed in San Francisco Superior Court, 400 McAllister Street.

Statutory Requirements for Residential Pool Safety

California imposes specific safety requirements on residential swimming pools under the Swimming Pool Safety Act. Health and Safety Code § 115922 requires residential swimming pools to be equipped with at least two of seven specified drowning prevention safety features, including a compliant pool enclosure or barrier, a safety cover, door alarms, or a pool alarm. Failure to comply with the statutory requirements is evidence of negligence per se under California Evidence Code § 669. A property owner who maintains a pool without the required safety features, and a child drowns as a result, has breached both the statutory standard and the duty of ordinary care under Civil Code § 1714.

Hotel and Club Pool Liability

Commercial pools operated by hotels, athletic clubs, and condominium associations owe a heightened duty of care to their guests and members. The operator's obligations include adequate lifeguard staffing during operating hours, maintenance of pool depth markings and diving restrictions in conformance with applicable codes, and maintenance of pool deck surfaces to prevent slipping. A hotel that fails to staff a lifeguard at a pool advertised as supervised, or that fails to mark pool depths clearly, has breached the duty of care. Commercial pool operators in California are also subject to the requirements of California Building Code Title 24 Part 2 governing public swimming pools.

Public Pool Claims Against San Francisco Recreation and Parks

The San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department operates public pools at facilities including Garfield Pool, Coffman Pool, and Hamilton Pool. Claims for injuries at these facilities are against a public entity and require a government tort claim under Government Code § 911.2 within six months of the incident. Dangerous conditions at public pool facilities are governed by Government Code § 835. Missing the six-month deadline can potentially bar a lawsuit. Tolling may apply depending on the facts.

Drowning and Near-Drowning Brain Injury

Near-drowning with hypoxic brain injury is among the most devastating consequences of a pool accident. The brain begins to sustain irreversible damage within four to six minutes of oxygen deprivation. Survivors of near-drowning events may sustain permanent cognitive impairment, motor deficits, or vegetative states requiring lifetime care. The damages in a near-drowning brain injury case are among the highest in premises liability law and require life care planning, economic analysis, and expert medical testimony to document fully.

Filing Deadlines

The personal injury statute of limitations is two years under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims against public entities require a government tort claim within six months under Government Code § 911.2. None of these deadlines are self-executing and tolling may apply.

Related Pages

• San Francisco Premises Liability Attorney
• San Francisco Brain Injury Attorney
• San Francisco Personal Injury Attorney

Attorney Michael Rehm represents pool accident victims throughout San Francisco on a contingency fee basis. No fee without a recovery. Call (800) 978-0754 to arrange a free consultation.

The information on this page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case turns on its own facts. The law can change — statutes are amended, cases are decided, and regulations are revised; nothing on this page should be relied upon as a statement of current law without verification. Deadlines and legal bars discussed on this page are general guides — whether a particular deadline applies, has run, or is subject to tolling, and whether a particular doctrine bars or limits recovery in your case, requires individual analysis. Contact Attorney Michael Rehm to discuss the specific facts of your situation.