An Overview of Child Injuries On Playgrounds in Pennsylvania

Have you ever witnessed a child or children getting injured on a playground? Playground accidents can have serious consequences and leave lasting scars on a child’s life. This is especially true if things are left untreated or the condition isn’t taken seriously. It is for this reason that numerous states have laws that establish minimum standards to enforce playground safety. If you are unsure about these standards, an attorney can help you. Also, if an injury happens on your playground, you will need an attorney, so it might be wise to know an attorney beforehand. 

Keep reading to know more about playground injuries in Pennsylvania.

Common Playground Injuries

Injuries that occur on the playground often require treatment in emergency rooms. A recent study found that these injuries come close to about two hundred thousand every year for kids aged fourteen and below. Speaking to someone like Andrew Statmore of Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC can help determine fault. More than thirty percent of these injuries can be termed severe. Here are some of the most common:

• Internal injuries
• Head injuries
• Brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Dislocations
• Concussions

Many events and factors conspire to cause injuries in a playground in Pennsylvania. Children are usually not careful, and even a slight misstep on the part of the playground owner could pose a problem. A common cause is the poor design or maintenance of the playground equipment and facility as a whole and at this time, parties can benefit from hiring personal injury attorneys. 

A metal slide with a jagged or sharp edge, a swing with weak chains, or a horizontal bar with jagged edges are just some of these oversights that can lead to drastic problems. Exposed or protruding metal from swings can also pose a threat.

Another reason for common child injuries in playgrounds is a lack of supervision. When young children play in the sand, they usually need an adult to watch over them. You see, children do not know what limits are, which makes them the biggest risk-takers anywhere. Since they are unpredictable, keeping an eye on children is a must and not supervising them could lead the playground owner into a lot of problems.

Who Do You Blame for Playground Injuries in Pennsylvania?

So, who do you blame for your child’s playground injury? Well, proving this can be quite the long stretch. However, finding out who is at fault usually depends on several factors.

The first “suspect” is the playground owner. Playground and property owners are usually the first port of call for people looking for whom to blame. Violating the duty of care, which involves making every inch of the playground safe, can turn a good playground into a banned one. However, the owner can be called irresponsible after declaring that a child was injured by a swing.

The school district is at fault for public schools, and the school owner is surely at fault for private schools. If the public playground is close to a park, the municipality could be held accountable for the accident.

The second person to blame is the company that designed and constructed the playground. If the designer does not meet standard safety requirements, they could be held responsible for your child’s injury.

What Damages Can You Get for Your Injured Child?

Here are the damages you can receive funds or compensation for if you win the case:

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• Trauma
• PTSD
• Punitive damages
• Medical bills (post and during)

Conclusion

An accident in Pennsylvania involving your kid and a playground is always a cause for concern. Nevertheless, you should look to ensure that your child’s future is secure with or without the injury. You must ensure that you do not allow complex laws to stand in the way of you getting the necessary funds for your kids. Ensure you get a good lawyer and go to court if necessary!

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