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It’s Snowing So Let’s Talk About Pools and Spas December 18, 2008

Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Injury Law.
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I’m in Wisconsin.  It is NOT warm here.  It is cold, snowy and icy.  But, I can at least think warm. 

This post is for the water lovers out there with small kids.  Many people try to think warm this time of year (including my family) by going to the YMCA, hotel or local indoor (heated) pool.

In theory, on December 19, 2008 pools and spas will be safer because the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act goes into effect.   This law was signed by President Bush on December 19, 2007.  Congress gave all effected pool and spa owners one year to comply with the new standards.

According to WSJ.com:

Under the law, all public pools and spas must have ASME/ANSI A112.19.8-2007 compliant drain covers installed and a second anti-entrapment system installed, when there is only a single main drain.  

The reason for this law is tragic.  Former Secretary of State James Baker’s granddaughter died after being stuck to the drain of a pool.  The suction was just too much for the 7 year old girl to overcome.

According to USA.Safekids.org:

Seven-year-old Graeme was a member of the community swim and diving team and had been swimming unassisted since she was 3 years old — but her death is listed as a drowning.  In fact, she drowned by entrapment, pinned under water by hundreds of pounds of suction force at the drain of the hot tub.

I encourage you to check out Safe Kids USA’s website.  There is a lot of useful information for parents of kids who love to swim.   Be careful this holiday season!

If you or a loved one is injured because you think the pool or spa owner did not comply with this law I’d be happy to discuss this with you.

Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in West Allis, Sheboygan,  Plymouth,  and  Germantown.

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