Scraped knees and soiled clothes are the norm when you have an active child. Kids like to explore and their games can sometimes result in injuries. In most cases, these injuries are minor. However, in some situations the injuries can be severe and even life threatening.
As a parent, you want to do all you can to ensure the safety of your child even as he explores the world around them.
Playgrounds are specially designed to provide a safe environment for children, or so we would like to believe. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are over 200,000 cases of playground injuries that require medical attention reported annually. Close to half of these injuries are serious. They include broken bones, fractures, strangulations, head trauma and dislocations.
Common causes of playground accidents
There are various reasons for playground injuries. The most common include the following:
- Poor or lack of supervision
Parents leave their children in the custody of teachers and other caregivers with the understanding that their children will be kept safe. However, it is not uncommon for caregivers to get distracted when children are on the playground. This is especially so when caregivers have to look after multiple children. They may not be able to supervise all of their charges at once.
Caregivers also may be distracted by other activities such as talking to other caregivers or using their phones. It is easy for a child to get hurt while he is not being watched carefully.
- Trip and falls
Trips and slips on the playground are common. Children can slip or trip on sand that is too thick, uneven floor surfaces, rocks, protruding large rocks or even a mound of grass. Children can also trip over debris that is left in the wrong place.
- Aggressive behavior
Children can also hurt each other. Biting, scratching and hitting are common when groups of children play together. Children can also injure other children through aggressive play, such as pushing other children off jungle gyms or slides.
- Poor maintenance of playground
Playgrounds require a lot of care and maintenance to ensure that the equipment is safe. Playground equipment deteriorates quickly as a result of exposure to the elements as well as use by other children. Defective and poorly maintained equipment can cause serious injuries.
What to do
If your child has been injured in a playground accident, you may be able to sue for damages if the injuries were a result of defective equipment. Get in touch with an experienced child injury lawyer to help you in filing your claim.
