Playground Accidents
Playground accidents are remarkably common. Every year, young children suffer a total of 200,000 playground injuries. These injuries include broken bones, head and spine injuries, or even paralysis. Another fifteen children die each year from playground accidents.
Despite how far playground design and materials have come with regards to safety, children still suffer tragic injuries when climbing on or running around these structures. Because of this, the National Playground Safety Institute, an organization that sets playground safety standards and certifies playground inspectors, has created a list of the “dirty dozen” dangers to avoid when designing or constructing a playground:
- Poor protective surfaces underneath playground equipment
- Less than six feet of space surrounding playground features
- Items that pose puncture wound or strangulation dangers
- Openings that are small enough to pose entrapment hazards
- Insufficient spacing between pieces of equipment
- On-ground hazards that pose the threat of tripping
- No adult supervision present
- Children being allowed to play with equipment intended for an older age group
- Little or no maintenance performed on the playground equipment
- Sharp and dangerous edges that may cause cuts, lacerations, or puncture wounds
- Lack of safety rails on platforms suspended above the ground
- Use of non-approved or non-recommended equipment
If your child suffers an injury on a playground that has blatantly failed to adhere to the above guidelines, then you may be able to make a successful claim against the playground owner or manager.
Contact Us
If your child has been injured in a playground accident, then you may have the right to claim compensation. The New York City personal injury lawyers of Orlow, Orlow & Orlow, P.C., have the experience necessary to help you recover the damages that you and your family deserve. Contact us today at 718-544-4100 to speak with an attorney about your legal options.