Swings that don't work cause accidents and can prompt public liability claims
Every year, thousands of children are treated in UK hospitals for accidents on swings in domestic gardens. Equipment that children can play on in the garden is supposed to be fun, safe and secure but can also pose safety hazards if faulty or ill-maintained.
It is not unheard of for swings and other playground equipment to be badly designed and manufactured, thus posing a risk to a child that uses it. Incorrect screws may be supplied or brackets may be used that are not strong enough to support the structure.
If this is the case and a child is hurt because of the poor design of the equipment, as a parent you could be entitled to make a product liability compensation claim.
In addition, swing seats that unexpectedly break in half can cause small children to fall to the ground and suffer a serious personal injury, which can result in a product liability case. If a child falls while swinging, they can not only break their hands, arms and legs but also sustain severe head injuries.
A two year-old girl may suffer a broken ankle when she falls to the ground after her swing seat unexpectedly splits into two, while another five year-old may slip into a coma after hitting their head on a hard surface. A product liability claim involving a serious injury may refer to damage to the brain or spinal cord.
Parents should take preventative steps
Some accidents occur in domestic gardens because the child falls out of the range of the turf beneath, which could protect the fall of the child to some degree, although not always completely. When a swing is near a patio, for example, the accident can be extremely serious if the child becomes concussed or falls into a coma.
Parents can take steps to avoid an injury caused by broken swings by checking that swing seats do not have any cracks or splits after they purchase them and by checking that the swing is the right size to support their child's weight. Broken or missing components in a seat with a protective section should set off alarm bells.
They can also take steps to create a cushioning absorbent surface underneath the swing, which should extend for at least twice the length of the swing. Alternatively, rubber, sand, sawdust, wood chips or bark can be used.
Even if the swing looks safe, before the child plays on it parents should clear debris from the surrounding area, like sticks, stones or any other sharp objects that could hurt the infant.
Making a product liability claim
If your child has been injured as the result of a faulty or broken swing, you may be able to make a claim. A fall due to a swing seat that has broken in two can lead to serious head trauma and concussion.
Our team of solicitors are expert in dealing with personal injury cases, have an excellent success rate and will be able to let you know whether you have a valid compensation claim. They will talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English without any legal jargon and answer any questions or queries you may have.
If you do have a valid claim, the claims process is cost and risk-free. You won't lose a single penny of compensation payout as we recover our legal fees from the other party.
So give YouClaim a call today on 0800 10 757 95 and set your no win, no fee product liability compensation claim in motion.
