The most common hot tub injuries are slip and falls, burns from water that’s too hot, hair or body parts caught in the suction fitting, and chemical burns or infections from poorly treated water. If you were hurt in a hot tub at a hotel, resort or other property, you might be entitled to compensation, so document what happened right away.
A soak in a hotel or resort hot tub is supposed to be relaxing. Unfortunately, it can sometimes lead to unexpected injuries that turn a rejuvenating soak into a painful nightmare, with repercussions that can last for years. Here’s the practical information you need to know if you or a loved one has sustained a personal injury.
Hot Tub Conditions That Can Cause Injury
Slipping
Hot tubs are slippery! One prevalent issue is the risk of slipping on a hot tub surface and falling. These falls can result in bruises, sprains, or even more severe injuries like fractures.
Heat
Hot water may feel good, but water that is too hot can raise your body temperature to the point of heat stroke, and drowsiness in a hot tub can lead to drowning. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says hot tub water should never be warmer than 104 degrees Fahrenheit and considers 100 degrees safe for a healthy adult. It advises pregnant women to stay at 100 degrees or below.
Suction
Did you know that hair can get stuck in a hot tub’s suction fitting? If this happens to you, you could risk scalp injuries, or even drowning.
Water Treatment
- Chemical burns and reactions: To keep the water in a hot tub clean, hot tub owners need to treat it with a specific balance of chemicals. Improper chemical levels can lead to eye or skin irritation, as well as chemical burns.
- Bacterial infections: If the water in a hot tub isn’t treated properly, it can harbor bacteria. This, in turn, can lead to infections like hot tub folliculitis. Cleaning the hot tub regularly, treating the water, and avoiding hot tub use when you have open cuts or wounds can help reduce this risk.
What to Document After a Hotel or Resort Hot Tub Injury
If you or a loved one has been hurt after a particularly perilous soak, it’s important to realize how serious that can be, and the rights you could have. Gather what you can:
- Where it happened, including the name of the hotel, resort or property
- The date and time
- Any incident report you filed with the property
- Photos of the hot tub, the area around it and your injuries
- Names and contact information for any witnesses
- Medical records you already have
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Talk to Greer Law Group About a Hot Tub Injury
You might be entitled to support and compensation. Greer Law Group is here to help you through challenges like these. Contact us at 303-331-6460 or fill out our contact form.
