According to the Houston Chronicle, 27-year-old Raul Hernandez Martinez was electrocuted while swimming in the pool with family members at the Hilton Houston Westchase on Westheimer Rd. He later died at a local hospital while in intensive care.
Hernandez’s family says several of people were in the pool when the pool lights automatically came on as it started to get dark out. That’s when swimmers began getting shocked. Hernandez’s mother and 10-year old brother were also in the pool at the time. The boy began convulsing, and his mother and older brother swam to help him.
Hernandez was able to help get his brother out of the water, but was unable to save himself.
Hernandez went into cardiac arrest following the incident in the charged water. Bystanders gave him CPR until emergency responders arrived.
Maria Isabel Duran spent four days in the hospital after the incident. Her 10-year-old son was in the pediatric intensive care unit for nearly a week. Hernandez’s girlfriend and her daughter were also hospitalized for injuries.
In court documents, Hernandez’s family allege that the hotel pool had not met electrical codes for several years and that there was no ground fault circuit interrupter on the lights to cut power in case of an emergency. New electrical equipment had also been installed recently without the proper permits.
The hotel calls the accident an “isolated event” and says it is offering any assistance needed in the investigation process.
Hotels have a duty and responsibility to ensure their facilities are safe for the people who stay there. Families shouldn’t have to worry about the many risks they face from a negligent hotelier. When an accident happens, recourse is available.
Houston Personal Injury Attorney
If you’ve been injured in a Houston hotel accident or any accident where a property or business owner was negligent, the Houston personal injury attorney Kevin Krist may be able to help. Contact his office today to discuss your case and the legal options available to you
