Atlanta Playground Accident Attorneys

Playground Accident Claims in Georgia

Playgrounds are a great place for children to exercise and learn important social skills while interacting with others their age. Unfortunately, they also present a risk of injury to playing children, particularly when they are poorly maintained or their equipment is out-of-date.

When kids sustain injuries due to the negligence of those responsible for the maintenance of a playground, they and their families may be able to recover for their losses by filing a personal injury claim. Anyone whose child has been injured in a playground accident should be certain to have their case reviewed by an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Call (980) 246-2656 or contact us online to learn more about your options after a playground accident.

What to Do After a Playground Injury

The central question in all personal injury cases is whether someone’s negligence caused the injury. In the context of a playground, negligence could be rusty equipment, lack of shock-absorbent material on the ground, improperly assembled equipment, or dangerous debris in the area.

After a playground injury occurs, caregivers should be certain to take the following steps:

• Make note of the condition that caused the injury. If possible, take photographs.
• Take your child to a pediatrician for a complete medical evaluation. This will ensure that his or her injuries are properly diagnosed as well as officially documented.
• Determine who is responsible for the maintenance of the playground and report the incident.
• Contact an attorney.

Why do Playground Accidents Occur?

Playground accidents can occur for a number of reasons. Sometimes, a child slips and falls simply due to losing his or her footing or missing a step. These and other minor accidents will most likely not give rise to a lawsuit. When accidents happen because of an unreasonably dangerous condition, however, victims may be able to recover from the party or parties responsible.

Some of types of accidents that may give rise to a legal claim include:

• Exposed hardware
• Broken equipment
• Improperly designed equipment
• Improperly installed equipment
• Inadequate shock absorbing  material
• Lack of guardrails on elevated areas
• Negligent supervision
• Failure to regularly inspect the playground

Can Schools Be Held Liable?

The short answer is, it depends. Your child may have a claim for damages if the school is found negligent. If the school failed to maintain the playground equipment on which your child was injured, then they should be held accountable for your child’s injury. Additionally, if protective flooring, such as shredded rubber, mulch, wood chips, or sand, was not used to absorb the energy of a fall, then the school may also be liable for your child’s playground injury.

Schools are supposed to maintain playground equipment and make sure children are safe when playing on swings, slides, monkey bars, and the other equipment. While we can't guarantee you have a case without investigating the details surrounding your child’s accident, we can tell you that it is crucial to your child’s health and your potential personal injury claim to make sure they receives medical treatment immediately. Also, do not sign anything from the school or give a recorded statement to the insurance company without speaking with an attorney.

Do not wait to get legal advice if your child was harmed in a playground accident. Call (980) 246-2656 or contact us online to get started.