Fall is in the air and another school year is underway. For most children, one of the biggest thrills of school doesn’t happen inside the classroom. I’m talking about recess.

Who among us doesn’t have fond memories of hanging from the monkey bars, pumping our legs to get higher and higher on a swing set, or playing hide and seek?

But, as with most of life’s pleasures, recess comes with a risk. In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children, ages 14 and under, for playground-related accidents every year.

45% of the playground-related injuries children experience are severe, including broken bones, concussions, internal injuries — and even amputations and traumatic brain injuries. Most playground accidents stem from a lack of supervision; poorly maintained equipment or equipment design; or unsafe behavior. (Please note that depending on your playground accident, someone may be responsible for covering your child’s injuries. The best way to find out if you can recover for damages is to speak with an experienced Memphis personal injury lawyer.)

The Most Common Injuries

Fractures

Fractured and sprained bones are the most common playground injury; in fact, most of us will break or sprain a bone at some point in our lives. These injuries occur the most in young children aged 5-9, and the CDC reports that fractures occur 10% more in girls than boys.

Head & Brain Injuries

Concussions are incredibly common, but many children continue to play even after falling or hitting their head. In order to protect your rights and your legal options, you’ll want to speak with a brain injury lawyer Memphis, TN trusts as soon as possible after receiving a medical diagnosis. Make sure your child is aware of the following common effects and signs of concussions — if they suspect they have one, they should stop playing immediately and seek help from an adult.
—Dizziness
—Balance issues
—Nausea or vomiting
—Headaches
—Drowsiness
—Distractedness or other attention span-related issues
—Sensitivity to light and sounds

Contusions and Abrasions: Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises

Dislocations

For young children who are still growing, dislocations are a common injury. We recommend visiting an emergency room for relocation of a joint or bone. Be on the lookout for the following symptoms:
—Redness or swelling around joint
—Difficulty moving joint
—Visible pain or agitation when someone touches the joint

Talk to a Memphis Personal Injury Lawyer About Your Accident

Our experienced personal injury lawyers make sure accident victims get the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one were injured on a park due to someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Contact us here or call (901) 327-1212 today to speak with a Memphis personal injury lawyer at no charge.