Playgrounds were created to provide a source of fun and activity for children. Unfortunately, as most parents can tell you, a day at the park can turn into a hospital visit. In fact, more than 200,000 children are treated in emergency rooms for common playground injuries.
If your child is seriously hurt at a playground because of someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may be able to pursue compensation. Contact the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. to learn more, during a free consultation. Call (312) 236-2900 today.
Playground injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on the cause and what the child was doing when the injury occurs. Injuries can be relatively minor, like lacerations and bruises. They can be more serious in nature and consist of broken bones, dislocations, concussions, brain injuries, and internal bleeding.
Most injuries happen to young children ages 5-9. While most playground injuries are not very severe, many require emergency room treatment.
Lack of supervision is one of the main causes of playground injuries. Young children do not know their limitations, and frequently climb too high on play structures or run too fast. Children are less likely to engage in these risky behaviors when they have adequate adult supervision. In fact, lack of supervision accounts for 40 percent of playground injuries.
Poor design and maintenance are also to blame. Playground designers should understand that children will fall, so having a concrete ground is not feasible. Wood chips or rubber should be used instead to make it safer in the event that a child falls.
Just like any other outdoor structures, playgrounds develop wear and tear over time. Metal parts become rusty. Screws and nails come loose. Wood often rots. Ropes become frayed from exposure to the sun. If these elements are not fixed promptly, they lead to injuries.
When determining liability, you first want to establish ownership. If the playground is at a school, then it is typically owned by the school district. A playground found at a local park may be owned by the city or county. Private daycare facilities and schools also have playgrounds, and they are usually owned by a local non-profit organization.
If the injury was caused by a design issue, it’s important to know who built the playground. They are usually built by construction companies. These companies generally sub out various portions of the design to other companies. Therefore, it’s possible that multiple parties could be at fault.
Lack of supervision is typically a negligence issue. Playgrounds at schools should have supervision at times when children are allowed to play on them. When it comes to playgrounds at parks, parents have the responsibility for overseeing their children. If a child injures another, the parent could be liable.
As parents, you want to keep your child safe at all times. If your child is injured in a playground accident, you’ll want to know what legal options are available. The Chicago personal injury attorneys from Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. can help you recover compensation for your child’s injuries.
At Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., we’ll examine your situation, determine liability, and help you settle your case so you receive the best possible outcome. Give us call today at (312) 236-2900 or contact us online.
When you’re fighting for maximum compensation, we know what it takes to get it.
