Playgrounds should be safe places where children can play and grow. Unfortunately, injuries happen more often than many parents realize. When these injuries occur due to someone’s negligence, families have legal rights under Indiana law. With summer right around the corner, now is a good time for parents to learn about why these accidents happen and what to if one occurs.
Common playground injuries
Playground accidents can range from minor scrapes to serious, life-changing injuries. The most frequent injuries include:
- Falls from swings, slides, monkey bars and climbing structures
- Broken bones and fractures
- Concussions and head injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Cuts and bruises from sharp edges or broken equipment
More severe accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage. Swings pose unique dangers, including chain entanglement and impact injuries when children walk into the swing’s path.
Who may be responsible?
Responsibility for playground injuries depends on the circumstances. For instance, equipment manufacturers may be liable if a swing breaks or a slide has a defective part. Maintenance companies can be held responsible if they ignore dangerous conditions like rusted chains, loose bolts or cracked swing seats.
In most cases, however, property owners, including municipalities, schools, homeowners associations and private businesses, are responsible for keeping equipment safe and properly maintained. Under Indiana premises liability law, all these parties have a duty to fix hazards and warn parents about dangers on playgrounds.
Property owners face even higher responsibility when equipment naturally attracts children, called attractive nuisances. This means abandoned or poorly maintained playgrounds can’t be ignored just because they’re on private property. If the equipment draws kids in, the owner should prevent access or keep it safe.