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Summer is a Prime Time for Injuries from Negligence
The long days of summer are meant to be enjoyed. Wisconsin’s many lakes, backyard barbecues, road trips, and outdoor recreation are all some of the best parts of summer. But these warm-weather activities also come with heightened risks.
Each summer, emergency rooms across Wisconsin see a sharp rise in serious injuries caused by negligent behavior. From poolside accidents to high-speed recreational vehicles, summer often brings a surge of preventable harm, especially when alcohol is involved.
If you or someone you love was injured during a summer activity and you suspect negligence was involved, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Understanding where and how these injuries happen can help you protect your rights and recover the compensation you need to avoid financial hardship. Start by contacting a Wisconsin personal injury attorney with Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP.
Why Do More Injuries Happen in the Summer?
Summer creates ideal conditions for personal injury accidents. Children are out of school, families are traveling, and property owners open their homes, pools, and boats to guests. With so much increased activity, the likelihood of someone making a careless mistake, or failing to take proper safety precautions, rises significantly.
Negligence can take many forms: a boat operator who mixes alcohol with high speeds, a property owner who fails to secure a swimming pool, or a business that does not maintain walkways and entryways. The law holds people and companies accountable when they breach their duty of care and someone gets hurt as a result.
Common Summer Injury Scenarios
While accidents can happen any time of year, certain summer activities present particularly high risks, especially when safety is not taken seriously. Some of the most common causes of summer-related injuries in Wisconsin include:
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Boating accidents caused by speed, inexperience, or intoxication
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ATV and off-road vehicle crashes on private or public land
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Slip-and-falls at lakeside resorts, campgrounds, or outdoor events
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Firework injuries from improperly stored or misused explosives
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Heat-related illnesses at public events without adequate hydration or shade
These types of incidents are not always just accidents. If another person’s careless behavior or failure to act responsibly contributed to your or a loved one’s injury, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Summer Injuries and Swimming Pools
Swimming pools present one of the most serious risks for summer injuries. Every year, many thousands of people are injured in non-fatal drowning incidents while thousands of others die. Many of these accidental drowning deaths are children; all of them are tragic. Most of them are avoidable.
Inadequate fencing, slippery decks, and a lack of adult supervision are some of the leading causes of pool-related injuries and deaths. In Wisconsin, pool owners — both private homeowners and commercial facilities — have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. That means installing barriers that prevent unsupervised access, posting safety warnings, and ensuring that the pool is reasonably secure when not in use. When these duties are ignored, the consequences can be life-altering.
Children under age 14 are particularly vulnerable, as they may not recognize the risks or know how to swim. A moment of distraction or a missing safety latch can be all it takes for a disaster to occur. Even in nonfatal cases, diving accidents can result in spinal cord injuries, and prolonged submersion can cause brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
When a pool accident happens due to negligence, such as broken gates, missing life-saving equipment, or a lack of trained lifeguards, the injured person may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury claim can help families recover medical costs, ongoing therapy expenses, lost income, and other damages. It can also prompt necessary changes in safety practices to prevent future tragedies.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Summer Personal Injury Accident?
The answer depends on the situation. If you were hurt on someone’s private property, the homeowner may be liable for unsafe conditions. If a boating company allowed an unqualified employee to operate a rental craft, that business could be responsible. If you were injured at a public event, organizers may face liability for inadequate crowd control or medical response.
In general, a personal injury claim must prove that:
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Someone owed you a duty of care
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They breached that duty through negligence
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That negligence caused your injury
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You suffered actual damages as a result
An experienced attorney can help you investigate the incident, identify all potentially liable parties, and build a strong case based on evidence.
How Do You Know if You Have a Personal Injury Claim?
Not every injury gives rise to a lawsuit. However, if your injuries required medical treatment, caused you to miss work, or left you with long-term complications, it is worth speaking to a lawyer. Many people hesitate to file claims because they are embarrassed or believe the incident was partially their fault. In Wisconsin, the law still allows you to recover compensation even if you share some of the blame, as long as you were not more than 50 percent at fault.
Your attorney can review police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical records to determine whether you have a valid claim. Most importantly, they can deal with insurance companies on your behalf, making sure your rights are not ignored or undervalued. Taking action quickly is important for recovering your full compensation. Although you usually have up to three years to bring a personal injury suit, the sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence.
Contact a Milwaukee, WI Personal Injury Attorney
If you are injured this summer and suspect that negligence played a role, do not wait to learn your rights. Contact a Milwaukee, WI personal injury lawyer at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys will listen to your experience, explain your legal options, and, if necessary, fight for the compensation you deserve. Call 414-271-1440 today. We are here to help you recover and move forward.
