Often, yes — where the drowning traces to a preventable failure the owner controlled. A pool owner, whether a homeowner, apartment complex, hotel, or public agency, is generally responsible for keeping the pool reasonably safe: compliant fencing and self-latching gates, working alarms, safe drains, and appropriate supervision where expected.
The central questions are whether a danger existed, whether the owner knew or should have known of it, and whether they failed to address it. A gate that did not self-latch, missing fencing, an ignored broken barrier, a missing lifeguard, or a non-compliant drain can each make the owner responsible when a drowning follows.
Because the proof of what failed — the exact condition of the fence, gate, or drain — can be changed quickly after an incident, documenting it early is critical. A prompt, confidential conversation can explain how responsibility is established and help preserve the evidence.