Playgrounds are fun for children—but they can also be locations where accidents and injuries occur. When a child gets hurt on a playground due to dangerous conditions or negligent maintenance, it may raise questions of premises liability.

Premises liability is a legal doctrine that holds property owners responsible for injuries that occur on their premises due to unsafe or hazardous conditions. This responsibility extends to both public and private properties, including playgrounds. Property owners, who may be government entities, schools or private property owners, have a duty to ensure the safety of the equipment and play areas.

Common causes of playground injuries

Playground injuries can result from various factors, some of which may indicate premises liability:

• Lack of maintenance:Playground equipment requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains safe for use. Broken or damaged equipment, like swings, slides or climbing structures, can pose significant risks to children.
• Poor design and layout:Inadequate playground design can lead to hidden hazards or accident-prone layouts. This may include improper placement of equipment, lack of protective surfacing or poor drainage that causes slippery conditions.
• Absence of supervision:Inadequate supervision on a playground can result in accidents. Property owners responsible for the playground, such as schools or daycare centers, have a duty to provide adequate supervision to prevent injuries.
• Lack of protective surfacing:Proper ground coverings, such as rubber mulch or rubber tiles, are essential to cushion falls and reduce the risk of severe injuries. The absence of suitable protective surfacing can lead to head injuries, broken bones and more.
• Inadequate safety measures:Playground equipment should have appropriate safety measures in place, such as handrails, guardrails and barriers to prevent falls. Failure to implement these measures may lead to accidents.

If unsafe playground equipment caused your child’s injury, you may be able to recover compensation. Reach out to the trusted Sarasota, FL personal injury attorneys at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.