Skinned knees or minor lacerations are about all that parents in New Jersey expect if a playground accident occurs. In most cases, this is exactly what happens. However, that does not mean that such accidents cannot be severe. Sometimes, the worst can occur, leaving your child with a serious injury.
Your first emotion after an injury is probably intense relief that your child survived a potentially catastrophic playground accident. However, once you begin to realize the enormous costs associated with childhood injuries, anger may begin to intrude on the relief you feel. This is particularly so when negligence contributed to the injury.
For example, say that you take your child to a neighborhood playground for an afternoon of fun. As she is climbing to the top of a slide’s ladder, a step or rung fails and she plummets to the ground — suffering a serious concussion or even a brain injury. You can expect to spend a large sum of money to get the proper medical care for your child.
Now, say that the playground equipment responsible for the injury shows signs of wear and deterioration upon inspection. In such a situation, the party that owns the playground might be liable for the suffering your family must endure. This is because the owner has a legal duty to keep the premises safe for visitors and guests.
A good first step for parents in situations like the one above is to consult with an attorney. They can help you take a careful and objective look at the circumstances of your child’s accident to determine if negligence did indeed play a role. If the owner or another party was negligent, you can pursue financial compensation, which can cover the expenses and other damages associated with your child’s injury.
