If you’re visiting Las Vegas in the spring or summer, chances are you’re going to book a hotel with a swimming pool, or at least visit some pool parties on The Strip. While most visitors enjoy their fun in the sun without any issues, poor hotel pool quality can pose a serious hazard. Improperly maintained hotel pools can expose guests to a range of harmful chemicals, which can cause serious injuries and illnesses.

When pool chemicals are used incorrectly or in excessive amounts, they can cause skin burns, eye irritation, respiratory distress, and other health issues. In some cases, the injuries can be severe enough to require emergency medical care or result in long-term complications.

Hotels that fail to keep their pool water safe can be held liable for any resulting injuries or health issues. At the Cottle Firm, our team of dedicated Las Vegas hotel pool injury lawyers helps victims of such incidents seek financial compensation. If you’ve recently been harmed due to poor hotel pool quality in Las Vegas, contact us today at 702-834-8000 to learn more about your legal options in a free consultation.

How Common Are Swimming Pool Chemical Burns?

Chemical-related injuries from pool use are more common than many guests realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pool chemical injuries resulted in approximately 13,508 emergency department visits in the United States between 2015 and 2017. Poisoning via inhalation is the most common diagnosis in these emergency visits. Many of these injuries result from inhaling chemical fumes, such as when mixing chlorine.

The true scope of the problem is likely underreported. Many cases of mild or moderate chemical burns go unrecognized or misattributed to sunburn, allergy, or general irritation. Guests might only make the connection hours later, when symptoms like rash or coughing develop.

There may be a higher potential for chemical mishaps in Las Vegas, where pools operate year-round and see high turnover. Errors can stem from staff rushing maintenance, relying on automated dosing systems, or a lack of proper training. Without visible signs of water testing, guests have no way to assess whether a pool is being treated safely.

Signs and Symptoms of Pool Chemical Exposure

Exposure to excessive or improperly handled pool chemicals can affect the body in numerous ways. Some are immediately noticeable, while others are more subtle. Many guests may attribute these symptoms to sun exposure or chlorine sensitivity, but they can actually signal more serious chemical irritation or a burn. Here are some of the most common signs of chemical exposure.

Skin and Eye Irritation

Skin and eye irritation are two of the most obvious signs of chemical exposure. Pool water that contains too much chlorine or is unbalanced in pH can strip away the skin’s natural oils. This can cause dryness, redness, itching, and blistering.

In more severe cases, guests may develop chemical burns. These painful lesions may resemble scalding or sunburn but are caused by chemical reactions rather than heat.

The eyes are especially sensitive to pool chemicals. Over-chlorinated water or incorrect pH levels can cause burning sensations, excessive tearing, bloodshot eyes, and blurred vision. Extended exposure may lead to more serious inflammation, such as conjunctivitis or long-term corneal irritation.

Respiratory Issues

Breathing problems are another common consequence of exposure to improperly treated pool water or airborne chemical vapors. Inhalation of chlorine gas can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Guests may experience coughing, wheezing, throat tightness, or shortness of breath after spending time near the water, especially in poorly ventilated pool areas.

These effects can be especially dangerous for individuals with pre-existing respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or COPD. Even those without prior lung issues may find themselves struggling to breathe if exposed to high levels of chlorine or pool shock chemicals in the air.

Other Symptoms and Systemic Reactions

In addition to localized effects on the skin, eyes, and lungs, chemical exposure can cause broader symptoms throughout the body. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue may indicate that someone has been exposed to harmful fumes or absorbed too much of a chemical through the skin. These symptoms might be mistaken for dehydration or heat exhaustion, but they could in fact signal a chemical imbalance in the pool.

Children are especially vulnerable to these systemic effects, both because of their smaller body size and because they often swallow pool water while swimming. Guests who begin to feel unwell after swimming should err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.

Chlorine Injuries

Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant. However, when mismanaged, it becomes a corrosive substance that can harm swimmers. In hotel pools, chlorine-related injuries tend to happen when maintenance staff fail to follow proper dilution guidelines or chemical handling protocols.

How Chlorine Turns Toxic

When chlorine is added to water, it creates hypochlorous acid. This acid is effective at killing germs, but only within a narrow pH and concentration range. If too much chlorine is added or if the pH is off-balance, the solution becomes increasingly acidic and can damage living tissue. These chemical reactions are invisible to the eye, which means guests may enter a seemingly pristine pool without realizing the water is dangerously caustic.

Excess chlorine can also interact with nitrogen-based waste, like urine or sweat, to form disinfection byproducts. Some of these are volatile and harmful when inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Chlorine Misuse Behind the Scenes

In large hotels with multiple pools, spa tubs, and water features, chlorine is often managed by automated systems. These systems may sometimes malfunction or be improperly calibrated, which can cause chemical issues that put guests at risk.

Another problem occurs when different types of chlorine are stored or mixed improperly. This can lead to chemical reactions that release toxic fumes or create concentrated chlorine “hot spots” in the water.

Long-Term Effects of Chlorine Overexposure

While some injuries appear immediately, others develop over time. Repeated exposure to poorly balanced chlorine can cause long-term skin sensitivity, chronic eye inflammation, and even lung damage. Some swimmers develop chlorine sensitivity, where even normal levels of disinfectant trigger skin irritation or breathing problems. In rare cases, exposure has been linked to occupational asthma and other chronic conditions among pool workers and frequent swimmers.

Pool Shock Injuries

“Shocking” a pool is a routine process used to destroy bacteria, break down organic matter, and restore chemical balance. But when this process is mishandled, it can become a serious health hazard. Pool shock treatments use concentrated oxidizing agents like calcium hypochlorite or sodium dichlor. These can cause chemical burns, respiratory injuries, and even explosions when improperly stored or mixed.

Injuries Caused by Improper Shock Treatments

The oxidizing chemicals used in pool shock are highly reactive. If added too quickly or in too high a dose, they can cause chemical burns. The most vulnerable areas are those of prolonged contact, such as where a swimmer’s skin presses against a pool step or where a swimsuit traps the water. Some guests may suffer severe rashes or blisters.

In addition, inhalation of off-gassed vapors during or shortly after a shock treatment can cause throat burning, coughing fits, and chest tightness. In indoor pools or spas with poor ventilation, this can escalate into full respiratory illness.

When Pool Shock Becomes a Legal Liability

Hotels are responsible for maintaining safe chemical levels and ensuring pools are closed during shock treatments. Negligence, like failing to post warning signs, reopening the pool prematurely, or failing to properly train staff, can result in hotel liability for any resulting injuries.

Who Is Liable for Pool Chemical Injuries in Las Vegas Hotels?

When someone suffers harm due to poor hotel pool chemical maintenance, it’s important to determine who is legally responsible before taking legal action. Hotels and certain third-party contractors owe a duty of care to hotel guests, meaning they must regularly maintain the pool area and ensure no hazards are present that could pose a threat to guests. Here are some potentially liable parties in Las Vegas pool chemical injury cases.

Hotel Owners and Operators

Las Vegas hotels have a legal duty to ensure that their pools are safe for guests. This includes:

  • Regularly monitoring chemical levels
  • Hiring properly trained staff
  • Maintaining all equipment used in water treatment
  • Responding quickly to guest complaints or reports of injury

If a hotel fails to perform these duties or violates their duty of care in any other way and a guest gets injured as a result, the hotel may be held directly liable for negligence.

Pool Maintenance Contractors

Some hotels outsource pool maintenance to third-party contractors. These companies are expected to follow all applicable health codes and manufacturer guidelines when handling chlorine, pool shock, and other chemicals. If a contractor applies chemicals improperly or fails to test and document safe chemical levels, they may bear partial or full liability for resulting injuries.

Chemical Manufacturers

In some rare cases, the manufacturer of a pool chemical could be liable if the product itself was defective. This might include mislabeled containers, incorrect safety instructions, or a contaminated batch that caused a toxic reaction. These cases fall under product liability law and may require expert analysis to prove.

Shared Liability

More than one party may share responsibility for a chemical injury at a Las Vegas hotel pool. For instance, a hotel may be partially liable for failing to supervise its contractors, while the contractor may also be at fault for improper chemical usage.

Nevada also follows a modified comparative negligence rule (NRS 41.141), meaning both the plaintiff and the defendant are evaluated for fault in a personal injury claim. The plaintiff may still recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the incident.

Swimming Pool Chemical Safety and Injury Prevention

Preventing chemical injuries in hotel and casino pools begins with proper staff training and strict maintenance routines. Hotel employees should be well-versed in pool chemical handling, including how to store, mix, and apply substances like chlorine and pool shock safely. Detailed maintenance logs should be kept to document chemical testing and treatments and ensure that pool water stays within safe pH and chlorine ranges.

In indoor pool settings, proper ventilation is mandatory. Without it, chemical fumes can accumulate and cause serious respiratory distress. Hotels must maintain functioning exhaust systems to keep air quality safe for both guests and staff.

Hotels should also use chemical test kits daily to verify that the pool water is safe for swimming. Guests who are concerned can bring their own test trips, which are inexpensive and available at most pool supply or hardware stores. These kits can offer peace of mind, especially for families with children or individuals with sensitive skin and lungs.

If you experience symptoms like eye or throat irritation, coughing, or skin rashes while swimming, get out of the pool immediately. Rinse thoroughly in fresh water, seek first aid, and report the incident to hotel management.

What to Do If You’ve Been Injured Due to Unsafe Pool Conditions

If you’ve suffered an injury due to a hotel’s negligence, the first step is to seek medical attention right away. Your health comes first, and prompt treatment also creates a medical record that can be used as evidence in a personal injury claim.

Be sure to report the incident to hotel management and ask for a written report. Document as much as possible: take photos, gather witness contact information, and preserve any evidence.

Next, speak with a personal injury lawyer who has experience handling hotel injury cases in Las Vegas. They can help you understand your legal rights, investigate the hotel’s potential liability, and negotiate with insurers.

Keep in mind that Nevada has a two-year statute of limitations, so it’s important to act quickly to preserve your right to seek financial compensation.

Discuss Your Pool Injury Case With a Las Vegas Hotel & Casino Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured due to poor conditions at a Las Vegas pool, you have legal rights. Hotels, casinos, and negligent third parties can be held liable when their carelessness causes harm to guests. At the Cottle Firm, our Las Vegas hotel and casino injury lawyers are proud to help our clients fight for the financial compensation they deserve for preventable pool injuries. Call us today at 702-834-8000 to discuss your case in a free consultation.