Child Injured At Playground? Contact Our Law Office
Bumps and bruises are fairly normal when children are playing on a playground. Kids play hard–sometimes, harder than they should!–and injuries can and do happen. Sometimes, however, children are injured more seriously–and it’s not the fault of rough play. If your child has been injured as a result of faulty playground equipment, it’s important to understand your legal rights and how to proceed after their injury.
Playground Injury Statistics
When it comes to playground injuries, it’s important to understand the statistics associated with those injuries. Traumatic brain injury, broken bones, and even death can result from playground-related injuries–and when a place that is supposed to be fun turns dangerous, the results can be catastrophic.
75% of playground injuries occur at a public playground, generally either one on public property or one belonging to a school.
56% of playground injuries are broken bones or abrasions.
Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are more likely than other age groups to be injured while on the playground.
53% of injuries on public playground equipment involve climbing equipment.
40% of playground-related injuries occur or are influenced by low adult supervision.
Keeping Your Child Safe on the Playground
Keeping your child safe on the playground can be a difficult proposition. You don’t want to ruin their fun, but you do want to be sure that they avoid injury as much as possible. By following these simple rules, you can increase the odds that your child will stay safe at the playground.
Observe age limits. It’s not “adorable” for your two-year-old to be toddling around playground equipment intended for much older children, especially if they’re at risk for a fall or are surrounded by rough play. While there are circumstances under which you may not be able to strictly keep to the age limits displayed on the equipment–multiple children of different ages, for example–sticking to those age limits can significantly reduce your child’s risk of injury.
Supervise your child on the playground. When your child is very small, you keep a close eye on them whenever they’re on the playground. As they age, you may start to believe that they’re better able to care for themselves–but that’s not always the case. Keeping a close eye on your child whenever they’re at the playground can go a long way toward reducing the potential for injury.
Dress your children appropriately. When possible, forego sandals and drawstrings while children are at the playground. Wearing tennis shoes and appropriate clothing can help prevent many types of common playground injuries.
Use playground equipment appropriately, and don’t add anything to it. Jump ropes, dog leashes, and other ropes can all pose significant strangulation hazards on the playground. Don’t allow your child to take inappropriate equipment with them to the playground, and encourage them to use equipment as intended, rather than experimenting. There’s plenty of opportunity for creative play without taking safety risks!
Who is Liable for Your Child’s Injuries?
If your child has been injured on a playground, it’s important to understand who may be liable. Talking with a lawyer can help you more accurately define who may be at fault for your child’s injuries. Potential liability may fall with a number of parties, including:
Other children. When other children bullied your child or engaged in unsafe behavior leading to injury, they–and therefore their parents–may be liable for your child’s injuries. This is particularly true if the children were asked to stop or if your child was not a willing participant in their activities.
The manufacturer of the playground equipment. Did faulty equipment give way, leading to an injury? If the equipment was properly installed and your child was using it appropriately, the manufacturer may be responsible for their injuries as a result of defects in the equipment.
The teacher in charge of your child’s class. If your child is at a school or daycare and is injured on the playground, it’s important to know whether or not the teacher was paying appropriate attention. If they weren’t, they may be partially liable for your child’s injuries.
The facility responsible for the playground equipment. Is playground equipment poorly maintained or arranged in a manner that is unsafe? If the facility responsible for that equipment doesn’t keep up with it properly, they may be liable for injuries caused by that lack of maintenance.
What to Do After Your Child is Injured at a Playground
Your first priority when your child is injured at a playground is seeking appropriate medical care. If your child has fallen hard or hit their head in any way, it’s important to seek out medical care to rule out traumatic brain injury as soon as possible. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury may show up well after the accident, so make sure that you’re on the lookout for any potential danger signs. Depending on how severely your child is injured, there are several other steps you may need to take.
Look for witnesses. Did someone else see your child’s accident? Can they help back up your story about what happened? Collect witness information, including contact information that will allow you to get back in touch with them later.
Take pictures, if needed. Are there specific factors that contributed to your child’s injuries, like playground equipment that hasn’t been properly maintained, damage to the equipment, or defective equipment? If your child’s injuries aren’t severe, take the time to snap a few pictures to help provide evidence later.
Collect other evidence. Take pictures of your child’s injuries, both at the scene and when you arrive at the hospital. You should also collect documentation from the medical professionals that see your child as they treat their injuries.
Contact a lawyer. Working with a lawyer is the most effective way to be sure that your child is able to receive whatever compensation is due for their injuries.
Has Your Child Been Injured On A Playground? Call Us Today
Has your child been injured in an accident on a playground? If you need legal help, contact us today to learn more about the services we provide.