New York City’s playgrounds are supposed to be places where children can run and play without worry. However, research from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons shows that playgrounds are one of the most dangerous places for our children. Each year over 156,000 children under the age of 14 visit emergency rooms across the United States suffering injuries they received on public and private playgrounds. Many of these injuries are caused by defective or unsafe playground equipment, poor repair of the surrounding area, or failure of adult supervisors (such as school teachers and playground monitors) to properly safeguard our children.
Nearly half (45%) of those injuries are classified as “severe” and include:
•· Broken bones
•· Internal injuries
•· Concussions
•· Amputations
The most common types of playground accidents in New York City are falls. They represent over three-quarters of the equipment-related injuries suffered by our children. As such, the AAOS cites the surface of the playground’s play area as the most important safety factor. Indeed, softer surfaces such as wood and rubber can dramatically decrease the number and severity of playground accidents when they do occur.
Unfortunately, some of these types of playground accidents can have long-term or lasting effects. A study completed in 2014 by the University of California found that head and neck injuries (such as those sustained by a fall from playground equipment) can triple the odds that a child will suffer a stroke shortly thereafter. The study examined the medical records of 1.3 million individuals who were treated in ERs for head and neck injuries and discovered that 11 out of every 100,000-roughly 9,000 individuals-suffered a stroke within four weeks of their accident.
If your child has been injured in a playground accident in New York City as a result of faulty equipment, improper design, or unresolved maintenance issues, your child may be entitled to monetary compensation from the at fault party regardless whether the playground is owned by a public or private school, the City of New York or an apartment building company. The first step is to speak with a qualified attorney experienced in playground accidents who can help you go forward from there. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.