The Killeen Daily Herald reported yesterday evening on a troubling new Texas drowning accident involving a 25-year old woman.   Information on the breaking news is scarce, but authorities have indicated that the woman, Dawanna Shafae Paleafei, was found unresponsive at an apartment swimming pool in Copperas Cove.  An autopsy has been ordered on the victim and the local police department explained that investigators are examining the scene to better understand what happened.

Unfortunately, apartment pool accidents like this one strike all too frequently in our area and throughout the country.  Our Dallas apartment swimming pool lawyer has worked on many cases where unsafe conditions at these types of pools led to deadly accidents.  It is incumbent upon investigators and the owners or operators of this Copperas Cove apartment complex to figure out whether this apparent drowning should have been prevented.  Far too many apartment complexes fail to properly maintain its pool or spa.  All those who use these aquatic areas—from apartment renters to their guests—have the reasonable expectation that those in charge of keeping the water safe have taken all reasonable steps to do so.   

Many mistakenly believe that because a pool passes an initial safety inspection that it is completely safe when they swim in it.  Sadly, many pools are allowed to develop unsafe conditions immediately after an official “approval” stamp is given by local regulatory bodies.  If not well-maintained, all sorts of deteriorations can make a once-safe pool become an accident waiting to happen.  For example, if water clarity is not kept up, murky water can develop that makes it virtually impossible for observers to see drowning swimmers.  Fences, gates, and locks may also break over time.  If not fixed they could allow unsuspecting toddlers to wander into the water. 

Many local residents have died or suffered permanent disability because of those and similar upkeep problems at apartment swimming pools.  After these accidents the victims and their family members often seek out legal help to understand the legal ramifications of these events and the way that they can recover for their losses.  Oftentimes there are a variety of people that may be at least partially responsible for the tragic events.  Apartment owners, managers of the facility, pool maintenance companies, and manufacturers of defective pool equipment may all be held liable for part of the losses in the event that they did not act reasonably when performing their pool-related activities.  The law has built in specific rules which allow for all those who contribute to an accident to be held fully or partially responsible for the consequences of their actions.       

Jesse Guerra Jr., our Dallas pool attorney, has worked many victims harmed in these apartment pool accidents.  Our firm is well versed in understanding all of the legal issues related to these events and the steps required to provide accountability to victims.  If you or someone you know has been involved in a drowning or near-drowning, please contact our office to learn more about how we can help you receive accountability.

See Our Related Blog Posts:

String of Texas Apartment Pool Accidents Remind Residents of Water Safety Needs

Teen Dies After Falling Into Apartment Swimming Pool