Playgrounds are an important part of childhood, offering hours of playtime. They’re also important for developing fitness, large muscle groups, fine motor control, and social skills and some playgrounds also have sensory enrichment options. A few hours at the playground on a sunny Key Largo day should be part of childhood but unfortunately each year the legal team at Flaxman Law Group speaks with worried parents whose children have been injured when playing on playgrounds.
Common Playground Injuries
The most common playground-related childhood injuries in Key Largo include:
- Falls: Most playgrounds have decks, slides, swings, monkey bars, and other equipment to encourage children to play and climb at heights. When playground owners fail to properly calculate heights and to provide a safe landing surface under these areas, falls can happen. Falls on playgrounds can lead to fractures, head injuries, and other serious injuries.
- Exposure: Playgrounds of the past had pressure-treated lumber which contained toxic chemicals. While today’s play areas are designed to be safer, older playgrounds can potentially expose children to unsafe materials which can elevate their risk of cancers and serious illness.
- Bullying: Bullying is always painful, but it can become dangerous if children push and shove each other on the playground.
- Foreign objects: Needles, broken glass, and other dangerous items can find their way onto playgrounds and into playground surfacing if play areas are not carefully monitored, closed to the public and maintained properly.
- Crash injuries: Kids running around playgrounds do sometimes crash into poles holding up the equipment. These incidents are more common in a playground is not designed safely and if there isn’t proper supervision at the play site.
Preventing Playground Injuries in Key Largo
Concerned parents will want to carefully select which playgrounds are right for their children. Look for modern, well-lit playgrounds which are carefully maintained and are located in parks, schools, condo or apartment buildings, or communities where play safety is a priority.
Before allowing your children to play, check the playground for any signs or wear or damage. Pay careful attention to the surfacing material, too, to check for any foreign object. If you notice any hazards, report them to the owners.
As your children play, the best way to keep them safe is to supervise closely, which is easier when you have a few adults supervising at all times. Safe playgrounds have clear lines of sight to help you keep an eye on your children.
After a Playground Injury
Even with diligent care, playground injuries can happen. When they do occur, finding liable parties can be a challenge. Playground injuries can be caused by poor equipment design, incorrect maintenance, faulty installation, and other factors, which means manufacturers or the owners of the property may be liable.
If your child has been injured, talk to a Key Largo playground injury attorney by contacting Flaxman Law Group at 1-866-352-9626 (1-866-FLAXMAN) for a free accident consultation. Our legal team can evaluate whether you have a claim and how much your claim may be worth. If you do have a Key Largo premises liability claim, you may be able to seek compensation to help pay for your child’s medical bills and the other expenses related to your child’s injury.