Dealing with Playground Accidents
With children now back in school in Tennessee and across the nation, parents and school officials are seeing more occurrences of playground accidents. Play structures are common at schools, daycares, and parks. While playgrounds are great for entertaining children and providing them with much-needed exercise, they can also be dangerous.
Playground accidents can range in severity, but some injuries occur more frequently than others:
- Fractures and broken bones. These are caused by falls off swings, monkey bars, or climbing structures.
- Sprains and strains. These are caused by awkward landings or overextending joints while playing.
- Cuts, scrapes, and lacerations. These are caused by sharp edges, broken equipment, or rough surfaces.
- Head injuries and concussions. These often result from falls, collisions, or being struck by moving equipment.
- Dislocations. These injuries typically affect shoulders, elbows, or fingers during high-impact falls.
Playground Safety Tips for Parents
To reduce the risk of injury, parents and caregivers can take proactive steps before and during playtime:
- Supervise constantly. Stay within sight and hearing distance of your child, especially for younger children. Quick intervention can prevent minor missteps from becoming serious accidents.
- Inspect equipment before play. Check for broken parts, rust, loose bolts, and sharp edges. Avoid equipment that looks worn out or unsafe.
- Choose the right playground surface. Safer playgrounds use shock-absorbing surfaces like wood chips, rubber mats, or sand. Hard concrete and asphalt increase the risk of serious injury.
- Dress children appropriately. Avoid clothing with drawstrings, necklaces, or scarves that could get caught on equipment. Closed-toe shoes with good traction help prevent slips and trips.
- Teach safe play habits. Encourage kids to take turns, go down slides feet first, hold onto handrails, and avoid overcrowding equipment. Discourage pushing, shoving, or jumping from unsafe heights.
- Pick age-appropriate equipment. Ensure your child is using equipment designed for their age and size. Toddler areas should be separate from spaces built for older children.
- Be aware of the weather. Wet equipment can be slippery, and metal slides can become dangerously hot in the sun. Always test surfaces before allowing children to play.
Legal Liability for Playground Injuries
In some cases, playground injuries may be the result of negligence. Potentially liable parties include:
- Schools or daycares if they fail to provide adequate supervision or maintain safe equipment.
- Municipalities when public playgrounds are poorly designed, inspected, or maintained.
- Manufacturers if faulty playground equipment causes injuries.
Parents may be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recover damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, or long-term care costs. An experienced attorney can investigate the cause of the accident, determine liability, and hold the responsible party accountable.
Contact Us Today
Child injuries can be scary for children and parents alike. It is important for children to understand safe playground habits to avoid serious injuries.
A Mt. Juliet child injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC can assist you if your child has been injured on a playground or other place. Begin the path to justice and recovery today. To schedule a consultation, fill out the online form or call (615) 622-6060.
Source:
stlouischildrens.org/health-resources/pulse/playground-accidents-injuries#:~:text=However%2C%20every%20year%2C%20more%20than,playing%20can%20cause%20serious%20injuries.
