As adults think back to their times enjoying the energy-release of playgrounds or even as we sit and watch our children play on them, we see equipment made to give joy. The dark reality is that playgrounds are nothing more than manufactured equipment that can cause injury even if used as instructed. Whether defectively manufactured or not used with the careful supervision of an adult, the possibility of children being harmed from a playground accident is alarmingly high.
Over 200,000 playground injuries occur per year, and it is not uncommon for emergency rooms to see high volumes of children for lacerations, internal organ damage from falls, broken bones, or even dislocation. In these instances, our expert personal injury attorneys in St. Louis must be brought in to determine whether an individual or entity is at fault for a child’s injuries.
Most Common Playground Injuries
With falls accounting for 90% of severe playground-related injuries, there are common types of injuries that must be treated by trained medical professionals. The most common injuries are lacerations or abrasions to the skin, such as knees, elbows, hands, and the face, but can increase in severity to soft tissue damage or internal organ injury. Some playgrounds have platforms at heights above five feet and young children can experience severe injury if falling.
Further, as most playgrounds are made of metal or include metal guards, something as simple as getting a hand caught between two pieces of metal can result in broken or fractured bones or even joint dislocation. Lastly, and most alarming, strangulation is a real possibility. Unfortunately, there have been instances of strangulation with ropes, loose clothing hooked on playground equipment, or skipping ropes. With such a wide range of injuries, it is important to keep a careful eye on children at a playground, instruct them on safety rules, and observe the equipment to determine if any is broken.
Who is liable for injuries on the playground?
If an unfortunate situation occurs and your child is harmed by playground equipment, it is important to hire an experienced, caring attorney. The premises liability attorneys at The Simon Law Firm, P.C. have years of experience handling such cases and use their expertise to determine liability – the first and largest issue. In premises liability cases involving playgrounds, your attorney will determine if this was a manufacturing defect that caused your child’s injuries or if it was the negligence of the person watching your child, in cases that stem from school playground-related injuries.
In any event, your attorney will hear the pertinent facts, visit the site of the incident, review all medical records, and make a determination to ensure justice is secured. If you or a loved one has experienced the unfortunate situation of a child being injured on a playground, please contact The Simon Law Firm, P.C. for a confidential, free consultation today.
