Texas summers are hot, which leads many homeowners to install a swimming pool at their home. While this is a great option for relaxing and cooling off, it comes with a great responsibility. Anyone who has a swimming pool must ensure that there is an enclosure that complies with Texas law. It must be surrounded completely with a fence that’s at least 48-inches tall, and that fence can’t be made of chain link.
There mustn’t be large spaces between the bottom of the fence and the ground. Additionally, the gate to enter the swimming pool must be self-latching and self-closing. They must latch from the inside of the gate, and the gate has to open outward. You must be able to lock the gate in some fashion, such as a keypad, combination, pad or card-operated lock.
While it might seem excessive for a homeowner without children to have to go through having this done, it’s an easy way to help prevent drownings. The fence is a really small price to pay to keep a child alive. It also provides some layer of protection for the homeowner because it can help to prevent claims premises liability claims that are based on an attractive nuisance.
For the family members of a child who falls into a swimming pool due to lack of a sturdy and compliant fence, there is a possibility of filing a lawsuit against the property owner. Filing a claim for compensation is a way that the parents of the child can attempt to relieve some of the financial pressure that comes from the medical care and other related damages that occur dur to the incident.