In Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley children have returned to school. A handful of kids are fortunate enough to live near a school playground or other play space. Other choices include playgrounds at daycare but the reality is most children access playgrounds during recess at school. If your child is injured on a playground or when participating in any school-related function in Arizona it may be time to contact an attorney with experience representing injured children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that as many as 200,000 children are injured on playgrounds and playground equipment with injuries sufficient to require treatment in an emergency department. The majority of the injuries with this level of severity happen at school and public playgrounds. These injuries can be serious or even fatal and may include:
- Broken bones
- Sprains
- Wounds to teeth / mouth
- Dislocations
- Internal and head injuries
The mechanism and cause of injury that happen on playgrounds are wide-ranging. One of the most common causes is lack of adequate maintenance. In California, equipment and structures in play areas are exposed to harsh sun rays, brutally strong winds and other elements. These weather extremes contribute to splintering, cracking, and rotting, which create all sorts of risks for children. If your child’s school, daycare, municipality, or other private entity has failed to properly maintain its playground and your child endures an injury, there may be grounds for legal action.
Playgrounds have design features that create tripping, slipping, and falling hazards. Frequently this is the result of poor design. In other instances, these injuries stem from inadequate maintenance or faulty repairs. Common slip, trip and fall hazards at playgrounds include:
- Elevated section of rubber flooring
- Nails on the playground with exposed ends
- Extraordinarily large rocks
- Overly-thick sand or scattered debris
School and daycare playgrounds should have constant supervision any time school is in session. Many schools have minimal, if any, supervision. Anytime your child is in the care of a teacher or daycare center staff member, this professional should ensure your child’s safety when away from home. There is a reasonable chance your child’s playground injury is fully or partially attributable to a school or daycare center employees’ failure to provide due care.
The foundation of my law firm is integrity, honesty and compassion. I have over 20 years of experience helping Tucson families who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. I help with serious injuries that require serious representation. I am a vigorous advocate for my clients, protect their rights and give them a voice in the court room. Call Tammy Carter Law 24/7/365 at 520-333-7737.