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Sacramento Swimming Pool Accident Lawyer

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Swimming pool incidents that cause severe injuries or fatal drowning accidents can sometimes be prevented. When property owners fail to take reasonable precautions to protect pool users, such as restrict access to the pool with a fence or gate, they could be held liable for damages in a premises liability claim.

If you or a loved one were injured in a swimming pool accident that could have been prevented, you may be eligible to pursue compensation for medical expenses and other damages. Having a qualified attorney on your side could make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.

If you have any questions about your swimming pool accident claim, our lawyers at the Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free case review with our licensed Sacramento personal injury lawyers.

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SETTLEMENT

$60,000,000

Data Breach

The Arnold Law Firm reached a settlement in the Morgan Stanley data breach class action lawsuit.

Learn More

SETTLEMENT

$18,276,000

Qui Tam / Whistleblower

A whistleblower case exposing fraudulent practices in the state of California resulted…
Learn More

SETTLEMENT

$17,000,000

Data Breach

The Arnold Law Firm reached a settlement in the Kemper and Infinity data breach…
Learn More

SETTLEMENT

$17,000,000

Data Breach

The Arnold Law Firm reached a settlement in the Kemper and Infinity data breach…
Learn More

SETTLEMENT

$8,000,000

Truck Accident

Late one spring afternoon, the Arnold Law Firm received a call from Angela, a young…
Learn More

JUDGEMENT

$3,900,000

Car Accident

The fatal collision between plaintiff’s Jeep Liberty and defendant’s Volvo truck…
Learn More

What Should I Do After a Swimming Pool Accident?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, it’s important to act quickly to protect your health, safety, and legal rights. Whether the accident occurred on private property, at a hotel, or in a public facility, following these steps can help you build a strong foundation for a potential personal injury claim:

  • Seek immediate medical attention: Your health is the top priority. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms like head trauma, internal injuries, or water inhalation can worsen over time. A medical evaluation also creates important documentation linking your injuries to the incident.

  • Report the incident: Notify the property owner, pool manager, or facility staff right away. If the accident occurred at a public or commercial pool, ask to complete or obtain a written incident report.

  • Document the scene: Take photos or videos of the pool area, including any hazardous conditions such as broken equipment, lack of warning signs, slippery surfaces, or inadequate fencing. This evidence can be valuable for your claim.

  • Gather witness information: If anyone saw the accident happen, ask for their name and contact information. Witness statements can help confirm how the incident occurred.

  • Preserve medical records and receipts: Keep all documentation related to your medical treatment, including diagnoses, prescriptions, and bills. Also track any time missed from work due to the injury.

  • Avoid discussing the incident with insurers: Don’t provide recorded statements or sign anything from an insurance company before speaking with a lawyer. Insurers may try to minimize your claim.

  • Contact an experienced personal injury attorney: A qualified swimming pool accident lawyer can evaluate your case, identify liable parties, and help you pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

If you’re unsure about your legal options, contact Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys today to schedule a free consultation with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer.

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Duty of Care When a Property Has a Swimming Pool

Homeowners and property owners have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect visitors who are legally allowed on the premises.

California’s Swimming Pool Safety Act sets various regulations property owners must adhere to when they have a swimming pool on the premises. For example, there must be 60-inch access gates for residential swimming pool enclosures along with self-latching locks that must be at least 60 inches from the ground. The outside surface of the enclosure must be free of items that could be used as a foothold or handhold, such as:

  • Protrusions
  • Cavities
  • Other similar surfaces that could be used to aid climbing over the enclosure

Under the Swimming Pool Safety Act, suction outlets must be covered with anti-entrapment grates that cannot be removed unless tools are used.

California also sets various regulations (22 California Code of Regulations § 65535) for operators of pools open to the public. For example, operators must keep the following areas well-maintained:

  • Water treatment systems
  • Ancillary facilities
  • Signs
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Dressing facilities
  • Drinking fountains
  • Floors
  • Walls
  • Doors
  • Lockers

If lifeguard service is provided, pool operators must ensure continuous surveillance of pool users. They must also wear swimming apparel that clearly identifies them as lifeguards.

Public pool operators must ensure a life ring with an attached throw rope is at the pool at all times. There must also be a fixed-length rescue pole with a permanently attached body hook.

If the property owner fails to follow these or other regulations and guests suffer injuries, the property owner could potentially be held liable for the damages suffered.

Other Entities That Could Be Liable for a Swimming Pool Accident

Sometimes, the property owner may share liability with other entities, including:

Government entities – If the accident occurred on government-owned property, your lawyer may be able to file a claim against them. However, filing a claim against the government is different from filing a claim against a private citizen. Contacting an experienced attorney promptly is very important in this situation.

Manufacturers, designers or distributors – If the swimming pool accident was caused by a defective product, the manufacturer, designer or distributor could be held liable. If the product became defective because of the way it was installed, the company that installed it could be liable.

Common Swimming Pool Accident Causes in Sacramento, CA

Swimming pools can be a source of fun and relaxation, but when safety measures are ignored, they can quickly become dangerous—especially for children and inexperienced swimmers. In Sacramento, many swimming pool accidents are preventable and occur because property owners or operators fail to meet their legal obligations to maintain a safe environment. Understanding the most common causes of these incidents can help victims recognize when negligence may have played a role in their injuries. Below are some of the most common causes of pool-related injuries and drownings in Sacramento:

  • Lack of supervision: Children and inexperienced swimmers are especially at risk without a responsible adult or certified lifeguard present.

  • Inadequate fencing or restricted access: Property owners may fail to install proper barriers, gates, or self-latching locks as required by California law, allowing unauthorized access.

  • Slippery surfaces: Poorly maintained decks, cracked tiles, or wet walkways can lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents around the pool area.

  • Defective or dangerous pool equipment: Broken pumps, missing anti-entrapment covers, or malfunctioning filters can cause serious injuries, including suction-related entrapment.

  • Lack of warning signs or poor lighting: Public and shared-access pools must have clear safety signage and proper lighting to help prevent accidents—especially at night.

  • Broken or missing safety equipment: Life rings, rescue poles, and other emergency equipment must be accessible and functional. Failure to provide these tools may delay rescue efforts in an emergency.

When pool owners or operators fail to correct or warn about these hazards, they may be held liable for injuries or deaths that occur as a result. If you or a loved one were injured in a preventable swimming pool accident, contact Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys for a free consultation with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer.

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Keeping Pools Safe

There are a variety of steps property owners and homeowners can take to help reduce the risk of an accident in or around the pool:

  • Only allow people to enter the pool when a responsible adult is present
  • Prohibit intoxicated guests in the pool area
  • Be sure that children are constantly under competent adult supervision
  • Avoid leaving toys in the pool that may attract children
  • Cover the pool when not in use
  • Be sure everyone using the pool knows how to swim
  • Review life-saving techniques and basic first aid with visitors
  • Install a pool alarm that will indicate when someone is entering the pool

Compensation for Swimming Pool Accidents

Victims of swimming pool accidents may be entitled to significant compensation, especially when injuries occur due to negligence by a property owner, pool operator, or other responsible party. The extent of your compensation will depend on the circumstances of the incident, the severity of your injuries, and the long-term impact on your life and livelihood.

Common forms of compensation in swimming pool injury cases may include:

  • Medical Expenses – Coverage for emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, medications, and future medical needs related to the injury.

  • Lost Wages – Compensation for time missed from work due to injury and recovery, as well as loss of future earning capacity in cases of long-term or permanent disability.

  • Pain and Suffering – Monetary recovery for physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, or diminished quality of life resulting from the accident.

  • Loss of Consortium – In cases involving severe injury or wrongful death, compensation may also be awarded for the impact on a spouse or family relationship.

  • Funeral and Burial Costs – If a loved one passed away in a drowning or fatal pool-related incident, surviving family members may be eligible to recover funeral expenses and pursue a wrongful death claim.

Determining fair compensation requires a detailed investigation and the ability to prove liability. Your attorney will gather evidence such as safety code violations, lack of supervision, defective equipment, and medical records to support your claim. Working with a knowledgeable swimming pool accident lawyer is essential to ensuring no damages are overlooked and that the full impact of your injuries is properly accounted for.

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Why Choose Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys?

When a swimming pool accident leaves you or a loved one seriously injured, you need a legal team with the experience, resources, and dedication to fight for the compensation you deserve. At Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, we bring decades of proven results in premises liability and personal injury cases, including those involving unsafe swimming pool conditions on both private and public property.

Here’s what sets our team apart:

  • Deep Knowledge of Pool Safety Laws: Our attorneys are well-versed in California’s Swimming Pool Safety Act and other regulations that apply to both residential and public pools. We understand how to identify code violations, safety failures, and negligence that may have caused your injury.

  • Proven Results in Serious Injury Cases: We’ve secured significant compensation for clients facing long-term medical needs, rehabilitation, or wrongful death claims due to property owner negligence.

  • Focused, Compassionate Representation: Swimming pool accidents can be traumatic—especially when children are involved. We treat every case with empathy, urgency, and personal attention, making sure your voice is heard.

  • No Fee Unless We Win: You don’t have to worry about upfront legal fees. We work on a contingency basis, which means you owe nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

  • Free Consultations With No Obligation: You have questions—we have answers. We’ll listen to your story, evaluate your legal options, and give you honest advice about the strength of your case.

When you’re dealing with a preventable accident that happened because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve a law firm that fights to hold them accountable. Choose Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys—your trusted swimming pool accident lawyers in Sacramento.

Contact our Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys Today

If you or someone you care about was injured in a swimming pool accident—whether due to a slip and fall, lack of supervision, faulty equipment, or unsafe conditions—you may be entitled to compensation. These cases often fall under premises liability law, and determining who is responsible requires a thorough investigation and legal expertise.

At Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys, our experienced Sacramento swimming pool accident attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these incidents can take. We are committed to helping you pursue justice and recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options. You won’t pay any attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf—you don’t pay unless we win.

Our team has decades of experience holding negligent property owners, public entities, and manufacturers accountable for preventable injuries. Let us handle the legal burden while you focus on healing.

Call the Arnold Law Firm Accident & Injury Attorneys today at (916) 777-7777.

LATEST NEWS

Treble Damages in California Trucking Cases

justice4you January 30, 2026

California law provides a specific statutory remedy for victims injured by impaired commercial vehicle drivers when their employers fail to meet federal safety requirements. Understanding when treble damages apply—and how they differ from standard punitive damages—is crucial for truck accident victims seeking maximum compensation. What Are Treble Damages? Treble damages allow injured parties to recover three times their actual damages under specific legal circumstances. In California trucking cases, this remedy is narrowly defined and differs significantly from general punitive damages available in other personal injury cases. California Civil Code § 3333.7: Statutory Treble Damages Requirements for Recovery Under California Civil Code § 3333.7, injured parties may recover treble damages from a commercial motor vehicle driver’s employer when all of the

California Trucking Accidents: Standards of Care

justice4you January 29, 2026

California law establishes different standards of care for trucking operations depending on the type of service provided. While most commercial trucking companies transporting freight are subject to ordinary negligence standards, federal motor carrier safety regulations impose enhanced duties that can significantly affect liability in truck accident cases. Key Takeaways: Commercial carriers of goods generally DO NOT have the duty of “utmost care” Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) DO create heightened standards in specific situations Large truck drivers must exercise greater caution than ordinary motorists Licensed motor carriers have nondelegable safety duties Common Carrier Standard: When Does “Utmost Care” Apply? The Enhanced Duty for Passenger Transportation California Civil Code section 2100 requires carriers of persons for reward to use “the

Punitive Damages in California Personal Injury Cases

justice4you January 28, 2026

What Are Punitive Damages? Punitive damages are extra money a court can order a wrongdoer to pay, on top of the money that compensates an injured person for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The main goal of punitive damages is not to repay the victim, but to punish especially bad behavior and to discourage similar conduct in the future. Think of punitive damages as a financial penalty for conduct that is much worse than ordinary carelessness. In California, punitive damages are not common. They are reserved for cases where the defendant’s conduct is particularly harmful, intentional, or shows a conscious disregard for the safety or rights of others. Most personal injury cases involve simple negligence (for example,

Settlement - $3,900,000

Car Accident

The fatal collision between plaintiff’s Jeep Liberty and defendant’s Volvo truck left Ryan Eisenbrandt’s surviving wife and parents with a judgment of $3.9 million, but the defendant’s insurance company refused to pay. This resulted in a second, intense legal battle between Plaintiffs and Defendant’s insurance company.

During the pendency of the wrongful death case, Defendant’s insurance company had filed a federal court action to rescind the defendants $1,000,000 insurance policy, claiming that defendant had made misrepresentations when applying for that policy. Initially, the federal court agreed with the insurance company, granting summary judgment that effectively denied recovery to the Eisenbrandts given the defendant was otherwise insolvent. The Arnold firm and the Eisenbrandts refused to accept this unfair outcome. They appealed the federal judge’s ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit reversed the lower court and sent the case back to the same federal judge for a trial on the merits.

Christine Doyle of the Arnold Firm tried the case in February 2011 in front of the same judge who had previously thrown out the Eisenbrandt’s case. A unanimous advisory jury and the trial judge, after hearing the true facts about the insurance company’s effort to avoid responsibility, found in the Eisenbrandts favor. After four years of fighting for what is right, the insurance company was ordered to pay up.

Settlement - $8,000,000

Truck Accident

Morgan Stanley Class Action Data Breach Settlement Attained by the Arnold Law Firm

Late one spring afternoon, the Arnold Law Firm received a call from Angela, a young mother of three. She was calling from the hospital where her husband Christopher had been air-lifted for treatment of severe injuries from a tragic motor vehicle accident earlier that day. Angela’s mother, a past client of our firm, had encouraged her to give us a call.

As it turns out, Angela’s prompt contact with us was a very important decision for their family. Immediate representation allowed our team to secure critical evidence right away — appropriate storage and analysis of the vehicle to avoid tampering, timely professional photography of the scene, and interviews of involved parties — which ended up being imperative to the details of Christopher’s case.

A commercial vehicle had failed to stop at a rural stop-sign intersection, colliding with the compact sedan driven by Christopher, an active 33-year-old father. The impact caused extensive damage to his spinal cord in the cervical area. Despite multiple surgeries, rehabilitation programs for physical and psychological therapy, and in-home care, his injuries rendered him a paraplegic, paralyzed from the mid-chest. In an instant, life as he had known it was gone forever.

At the time of the accident, the at-fault driver of the commercial vehicle was acting within the scope of his employment with a large corporation. With the employer being directly liable, as such, defense counsel fought hard to minimize Christopher’s damages, claiming that his being unemployed at that time devalued his losses. Our legal team made sure Christopher’s true losses were represented, including his potential income, his options and mobility, his ability to provide for and support his family, and the lifetime of care he now needed. Christopher’s injuries also dramatically affected his spouse’s daily life, resulting in a claim on her behalf.

Furthermore, the extent of Christopher’s injuries were, in part, due to defects involving the dual-restraint system in his own vehicle. Despite the manufacturer’s efforts to deny any responsibility, the Arnold Law Firm established negligence relevant to his case.

The result was a settlement of $8 million — the largest pre-trial settlement for this type of case in the region. Christopher now has the resources to receive the ongoing care he now requires, improve the quality of his life and take care of his young family.

Verdict - $10,200,000

Motorcycle Accident

The Arnold Law Firm is pleased to report that our attorneys received a $10.2 million verdict handed down in Modesto. Defense counsel was Kevin Cholakian of San Francisco. The defense rejected a 998 within the $1 million policy limits three years ago. The highest defense offer was $350k.

The case involved a blind corner dirt fire road collision between a truck driven by the defendant and a motorcycle driven by the plaintiff Dan Nixon. THe plaintiff had no recollection of the collision. The defendant claimed that the plaintiff had too much speed for the corner and lost control. The plaintiff’s son (who identified the wrong curve in discovery) claimed that the defendant was on the wrong side of the curve, causing his dad to make an unsuccessful emergency maneuver. The jury assessed 70% fault to the defendant and 30% to plaintiff.

The plaintiff, now 50-years-old, suffered a dislocated right knee with popliteal artery rupture which has left him with an unstable knee, and permanently damaged lower leg. Because of vascular damage he is not a candidate for knee reconstruction or replacement. The plaintiff’s treating doctors testified that he will require an above knee amputation within 20 years. Past lost wages were $78,000 and past medicals were $570,000. The jury awarded $7.5 million in general damages (3 m. past and 4.5 m. future) as well as all future economic damages asked for by the plaintiff. The jury deliberated for 3 and a half hours.

Settlement - $17,000,000

Data Breach

Infinity/Kemper Class Action Data Breach Settlement Attained by the Arnold Law Firm

The Arnold Law Firm, along with co-counsel at Morgan & Morgan, and Mason, Lietz, & Klinger, and Wolf, Haldenstein, Adler, Freeman, & Herz LLP, reached a settlement in the Kemper and Infinity data breach class action lawsuit, also known as Irma Carrera et al. v. Kemper Corporation and Infinity Insurance Company, filed in the United States District Court Northern District of Illinois, Case No. 1:20-cv-01883. The settlement is valued at over $17 million.

The Honorable Judge Martha M. Pacold granted Preliminary Approval of the settlement on October 27, 2021.

In addition to substantial injunctive relief, the class members will receive access to Aura’s Financial Shield Services for a period of 18 months, up to $10,000 for reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket losses reasonably traceable to the Data Breach, up to 3 hours of time spent remedying issues related to the breach at $18 per hour, and $50 for Class Members who are California residents.

History of the data breach: On April 8, 2021, the Arnold Law Firm and Wolf, Haldenstein, Adler, Freeman, & Herz LLP filed the first class action complaint against Kemper and Infinity in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entitled Irma Carrera Aguallo et al. v. Kemper Corporation and Infinity Insurance Company, Case No. 1:21-cv-01883. The complaint asserted claims against Defendants for: (1) negligence; (2) negligence per se, (3) violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq. – Unlawful Business Practices, (4) violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq. – Unfair Business Practices, (5) violation of the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100, et seq., (6) violation of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Cal. Civ. Code § 1750, et seq., (7) violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, Florida Statute § 501.201, et seq., (8) breach of implied contract, (9) declaratory judgment, and (10) unjust enrichment arising from the data breach.

Settlement - $18,276,000

Qui Tam / Whistleblower

Whistleblowers Represented by Arnold Law Firm Expose Fraudulent Practices by the Pill Club, Case Settled With California DOJ

The Arnold Law Firm and the Hirst Law Group represented two whistleblowers who helped expose fraudulent practices by a start-up online pharmacy company called The Pill Club.

The company allegedly used fraudulent practices to bill California’s Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, for their services. The Pill Club is also alleged to have violated state laws by allowing nurse practitioners to prescribe contraceptive products to women without proper supervision or training from a licensed medical doctor.

For their part in blowing the whistle on the company they worked for, and as part of California Qui Tam laws, the whistleblowers and their attorneys recovered $4.9 million from the $18.275 million settlement paid to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

Settlement - $60,000,000

Data Breach

Morgan Stanley Class Action Data Breach Settlement Attained by the Arnold Law Firm

The Arnold Law Firm, along with co-counsel at Morgan & Morgan, Nussbaum Law Group, P.C. and others, reached a settlement in the Morgan Stanley data breach class action lawsuit, also known as In re Morgan Stanley Data Security Litigation, filed in the United States District Court Southern District of New York, Case No. 1:20-cv-05914-AT. The settlement resulted in a $60 million settlement fund to benefit class members.

The Motion for Preliminary Approval was filed on December 31, 2021 with the Honorable Judge Analisa Torres.

In addition to substantial injunctive relief, the 15 million class members will be provided access to Aura’s Financial Shield services for at least two years, which includes a $1 million insurance policy protecting each subscriber, credit monitoring, identity freezing, dark web monitoring, income tax protection and more services. The fund will also provide payments to people who submit valid claims for out-of-pocket expenses and/or up to four hours of lost-time incurred as a result of the data breach. Lost time allows victims of the data breach to be paid at $25 per hour for up to four hours of attested time spent dealing with the data breach. Out-of-pocket expenses can be claimed up to $10,000 if the costs or expenditures are fairly traceable to the data breach.

History of the data breach: On July 29, 2020, the Arnold Law Firm and Morgan & Morgan filed the first class action lawsuit against Morgan Stanley in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entitled Sylvia Tillman et al. v. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC., Case No. 1:20-cv-05914. The complaint asserted claims against Defendants for: (1) negligence; (2) invasion of privacy; (3) negligence per se; (4) unjust enrichment; (5) violation of the California Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq. – Unlawful Business Practices; and (6) violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200, et seq. – Unfair Business Practices.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.