You love it when your child says that he or she wants to play outside. With so many digital distractions, knowing that your child wants to connect with other children and nature is relieving. However, you’re not very happy with how the park and playgrounds in your area are maintained. You’ve written to the city to ask for improvements, and you were informed that more maintenance would take place to make it safer.
A fence was installed near the swing set. You felt oddly about it, because it seemed too close for comfort. Not less than a few weeks later, you found yourself dealing with a child who was cut on the fence after trying to jump off the swing toward it. Who’s to blame for playground injuries?
Be Aware Of Hazardous Park Layouts
In cases like this, there’s no reason to believe that someone wouldn’t have considered the fact that children often jump off swings to see how far they can go. It’s a common act on playgrounds, and even though it’s frowned on, adults are aware that it happens. By putting a fence too close to the swing set, the city may have been negligent in its actions. It may have inadvertently put your child in harm’s way. In that case, you could have a right to pursue a personal injury claim against those who maintain the park.
Ensure Playground Areas and Equipment Are Safe
An average of 17 children die every year on playgrounds, the majority of those deaths are preventable. Over 200,000 children ages 14 and younger go to emergency rooms with playground related injuries each year. With the right playground layouts and safety precautions, many children can avoid painful injuries that impact their lives.
Read the signs for playground rules and regulations. Monitor children and be sure they play in age appropriate areas. Check under and around park equipment for soft material such as sand, mulch, wood chips, or safety-tested rubber. Ensure all equipment is sturdy and well maintained, without loose hardware or unstable pieces.
If a park is hazardous due to poorly maintained equipment, or if a school fails to keep its playgrounds safe, you could have a case against the responsible facility. A personal injury attorney would help you research potential claims related to injuries sustained.
For further information or to schedule a free initial consultation call 866.452.3741 or visit www.merdes.com. The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are; and while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do.
