When it comes to unwinding after a long day of work, travel or exercise, hot tubs and Jacuzzis are tough to beat. The massaging quality of the hot water can sooth even the most stressed-out soul.

Given the general idea of hot tubs and spas as places of utter relaxation and enjoyment, it is no surprise that most people don’t think twice about the potential dangers of slipping right in. Unfortunately, statistics reveal a deadly trend of hot tub-related accidents when proper caution is not taken.

Types and Causes of Hot Tub Accidents

Incidents involving hot tubs, whirlpools and Jacuzzis have accounted for 800 fatalities since 1990. Some common reasons for these tragic episodes include:

• Drowning - Just as with a swimming pool, this is far and away the greatest culprit in hot tub accidents. One fifth of the deaths reported by the Consumer Product Safety Commission were cases of children under the age of five drowning. Chances of adults drowning increase drastically when alcohol is present in the blood stream.

• Excessive Temperatures - hot tubs set to temperatures too high above that of the human body can pose a risk of serious complications. The hotter the water, the greater the chance of drowsiness and eventual unconsciousness leading to drowning. Water above 106 degrees Fahrenheit can also impede the body’s ability to regulate itself, a major threat to even healthy adults.

• Hair Entanglement and Body Entrapment - the CPSC has attributed dozens of accidents, some of them fatal, to the powerful suction areas of a hot tub or Jacuzzi. Hair or body parts becoming trapped in suction fixtures can cause drowning or permanent injury.

Contact Us

If you or someone you love has been affected by an accident in a hot tub and you believe another’s negligence was to blame, contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers of Friedman and Bonebrake, P.C., today by calling 312-466-8200.