As a parent, your child is the most important thing in your life. You are constantly caring for them as best as you can to keep them safe and out of harm’s way, but sometimes accidents happen. Figuring out what to do if your child has been injured can be tricky, especially if you weren’t watching your child when the accident happened.
Playground accidents while children are at school are more common than you might think, and it is shocking to know that children often play without adult supervision more often on school playgrounds than if they were playing at a public park with their parents watching. Nearly 40 percent of playground injuries that occur are a result of a lack of supervision, with more than half of the children injured being between the ages of five to nine. In the event that your child happens to fall victim to these statistics, here is a guide that can help you determine who is at fault. However, we strongly suggest speaking to a personal injury lawyer here at Robert J. DeBry and Associates as well.
Who is Liable?
Fault comes down to the reason that the accident occurred. Schools will often have recess supervisors to ensure every child’s safety, but unfortunately these supervisors won’t always be able to see everything. In cases where a child is injured due to the supervisor’s failure to be alert, the supervision is deemed inadequate and can be described as negligence. A personal injury lawyer may hold the supervisor accountable for not properly supervising playground activities.
There are also other factors that can change the scenario. If there are an abundance of students on the playground, and only one supervisor, the injury may not always constitute as negligence. In this case, the school board may be at fault for not assigning more supervisors to the playground, and a personal injury lawyer may be able to hold the school accountable.
Other Personal Injury Causes
The school may also be held liable for a child’s personal injury if the staff failed to properly maintain the playground equipment. Loose screws in swings, dangerous cracks in the pavement, and loose equipment such as monkey bars can lead to serious injuries. A personal injury lawyer will investigate the scene to pinpoint exactly what causes the accident.
Other hazards include slippery surfaces, which can lead to dangerous slip and fall accidents on the playground. There are so many dangerous situations on a playground that can be avoided with the proper maintenance and supervision.
If your child has been injured on a school playground, contact a personal injury lawyer here at Robert J. DeBry and Associates. We will look into your case and make sure you get the compensation that you deserve for your child’s injuries.
Sources:
https://peacefulplaygrounds.com/playground-liability-accident-or-injury/