Playgrounds in New York provide children and their families with a healthy, enjoyable form of outdoor entertainment. Playgrounds, however, can also pose significant safety and health risks for children if they are not properly maintained. For example, injuries can occur from improperly maintained surfaces or protruding nails from playground equipment. Notably, injuries at playgrounds in New York have become an increasing problem.
Increasing Injuries at Playgrounds in New York
According to a recent report from the office of the New York City Comptroller, playground injuries have been increasing throughout New York City. The report found that between 2005 and 2014, there were 577 playground-related personal injury claims, which equates to an average of one accident per week. Notably, over the last 10 years, playground accident claims have risen over 53%. In 2005, there were 45 claims, while there were 69 claims most recently in 2014. These accidents have cost taxpayers more than $20 million in terms of judgments and settlements throughout the 10-year period.
The report found that playgrounds in Brooklyn had the most claims during the 10-year period with 209. Just below this was Manhattan with 123, followed by the Bronx and Queens with 111, and Staten Island with 23. For parents who want to identify where these accidents occur throughout New York, there is an interactive map of all claims.
According to the city, common causes of playground accidents include:
- Improper surfacing—including missing or defecting matting, cracked or broken surfaces, holes in the ground, and rubber mats that burn too hot in summer months;
- Insufficient maintenance and defective equipment, such as swings and slides;
- Improper playground design; and
- Protruding nails and/or debris.
The report emphasizes the need for the city to make sure that all of its playground surfaces and equipment are in a good state of repair. New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer commented that “the Department of Parks and Recreation must find ways to improve safety in our city’s playgrounds. We owe it to our kids to adopt best practices for safety and install state-of-the-art equipment in our playgrounds that reduces the potential for injuries.”
Contact a Bronx Injury Attorney for Legal Advice
If your child has been injured on a playground, a Bronx injury attorney can help protect your child’s rights. Jeffrey Kestenbaum is a Bronx injury attorney who has experience prosecuting variety types of personal injury claims. From slip and fall claims to car accidents, the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum can help protect your rights and make sure that you recover the compensation you deserve. Unsafe playgrounds are no place for children especially during the spring/summer months when parents are looking to enjoy healthy activities with their families.
Contact a Bronx injury attorney today at the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum for a free initial consultation. You can call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 718-237-5586.
