Whether in your neighborhood park, at school, or your own backyard, chances are the playground is one of your child’s favorite spots to spend an afternoon monkeying around and playing with friends. Playgrounds are a fun part of childhood that many of us have fond memories about, however, they are also extremely dangerous if proper safety measures are not adhered to.
Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 200,000 playground injuries every single year. This is a shocking number that will undoubtedly make you think twice about letting your child run rampant at the playground without your own supervision.
While most public parks and school playgrounds are perfectly safe, there are certain factors that can contribute to turning an otherwise safe place into one with a serious risk of accident.
There are numerous causes for playground injuries, including negligent supervision and improper playground maintenance. Sadly, these factors can result in serious childhood injury, or even death in some cases.
Playground Injury Statistics
According to the CDC, children under the age of 14 are at the highest risk to sustain a playground injury. This may come as a surprise to some, but girls sustain approximately 55% of all injuries, while boys accounted for the lesser 45%. Other facts regarding playground injuries include the following:
- Approximately 45% of reported playground injuries were very serious, including the following:
○ Amputations
○ Bone fractures
○ Concussions
○ Dislocations
○ Internal injuries
- Between 1990 and 2000, nearly 150 children died from their injuries
○ 56% involved strangulation
○ 20% involved falls
Another eye-opening statistic, roughly 70% of fatal accidents took place in the child’s own backyard. These numbers show the seriousness of these types of injuries and once again reiterate the importance of supervision and proper upkeep of playgrounds.
Regardless of whether you decide to allow your child to play in a public playground or at home in your backyard, the importance of keeping a careful, vigilant eye on them is clear. The best way to prevent tragedy is by being proactive and doing your part to ensure the equipment your child is playing with or on is in good shape, and that they are supervised at all times.
Here at AMA Law, our personal injury lawyers are highly trained and knowledgeable regarding these types of cases. If you your child has been injured on the playground, call us today so that we can sit down and get started on your case. We understand how sensitive and emotional these cases can be, which is why we strive to work with parents one-on-one and guide them through the legal process with expertise and care.