Poorly Maintained Playgrounds May Cause Children Serious Injuries
May 26, 2012
Waxahachie, TX (Law Firm Newswire) May 25, 2012 – As the spring weather invites parents and their children outdoors, one Dallas personal injury attorney cautions parents about dangers on the playground.
Playgrounds offer children a way to socialize, get exercise, and be a kid. But those monkey bars, merry-go-rounds and swings can lead to serious injuries, if they are not properly maintained. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 200,000 children under 14 years of age end up in the emergency room each year because of playground accidents.
“When a parent takes their child to a playground or enrolls them in a school that has playground equipment, they rightfully expect that equipment to be safe,” said Dallas injury lawyer, John Hale of the The Hale Law Firm. “Private schools, day care centers, and municipal parks have an obligation to their young patrons to keep them safe and prevent playground accidents.”
Parents know that when children are playing, they are susceptible to the occasional broken arm, sprained ankle, or minor cuts and bruises. But playground injuries can be far more serious. Nearly 45% of playground related injuries are categorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “severe – fractures, internal injuries, concussions, dislocations, and amputations.”
In one annual report, the centers found that 147 children died from their playground injuries. Over fifty percent were due to strangulation. Nearly 70% of playground fatalities took place on home gym equipment.
“Before you let your children play on gym sets and equipment at their friend’s or neighbor’s house, inspect it, make sure it looks safe, and affirm that your child will always have adult supervision,” said Hale.
The equipment that is the most dangerous varies between home and public playgrounds. On public playgrounds, children are hurt on climbers more than anything else. Swings are responsible for most home playground injuries.
The study also pointed out that public playgrounds in low income neighborhoods are more dangerous. In one study, investigators found rusty play equipment, excessive trash, and fall surfaces that were damaged.
“Serious playground injuries are painful for the child, and can lead to unmanageable medical bills. If your child has been injured, consult with an attorney who may be able to get you and your family the compensation you deserve,” explained Hale.
John Hale is a Waxahachie personal injury lawyer and Ellis County personal injury lawyer helping injury victims near Dallas, Texas. Learn more at The Hale Law Firm
The Hale Law Firm
100 Executive Court, Suite 3
Waxahachie, TX 75165
Call: 888.425.3911
