Accident claims are not a walk in the park

In 2006, 299 children under 15 died as a result of a personal injury outside the home. Accidental injury is one of the biggest single causes of death in the UK for children over the age of one, across the UK.

Every year, it is estimated that over 2 million children are taken to hospital after having an accident, with 1.1 million children taken to hospital due to accidents outside their home.

Falls are the leading causes of unintentional injury for children. Children aged 14 and under account for one-third of all fall-related visits to hospital emergency rooms.

However, approximately 40,000 children suffer from injuries in play parks each year. This is due to poor equipment design, poor design layout and incorrect installation.

80% receive a personal injury as a result of a fall onto an inadequate surface. 4% of children suffer injuries from being struck by a swing and a similar number are harmed by broken glass. Swings are the main cause of an accident in a play park, reaching 40% whilst roundabouts create 5% of all injuries.

Stuart Wallace, from Cornwall Council highlighted the importance of safety as the opening of a new park in the region was delayed due to faulty features: "It's disappointing that the playground still hasn’t opened but we cannot compromise safety. The last thing I would want is to encourage any shortcuts on safety."
Seeing injury on the see-saw

As a result of common injuries occurring in a play park, it is little surprise that a mother has recently filed an accident claim, seeking compensation after her son was injured in a park.

The eight-year-old boy was taken to hospital after an incident in which his parents claim a screw tore his cheek when he slipped on council play equipment.

The family claim the child was climbing a child-size ladder which has a screw sticking out of it, to play on monkey bars when he slipped and hit his face on the screw.

"He slipped and ripped his cheek apart. There was no need for stitches but it was glued. An inch higher and it would have been his eye. If he had not stopped himself it would have gone deeper. This screw that was sticking out was about half an inch," he said.

His father, aged 41 complained to Broxtowe Borough Council which is now investigating the incident.

He furthered that the council is liable for the accident and his son's injury: "You just don't expect it. I know as a parent you are responsible for your children but when they are playing on the council apparatus you don't expect screws to be sticking out. You think that it's going to be safe. I am angry that the council did not show more concern, especially with it being a child."

A spokeswoman for Broxtowe Borough Council said: "The council is very sorry indeed to learn of Mr Puliafito child's injury and it takes such matters very seriously."

She added: "The equipment was inspected immediately by council officers and it was found to be safe. Broxtowe Borough Council has robust inspection practices in place. Every play area and its equipment is inspected twice a week and a written report produced."