Was Your Child Seriously Injured On a Trampoline?

Child Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Child Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

According to the patent owner, competitive gymnast George Nissen, recreation was not the intended purpose of the modern-day trampoline. Instead, the original intention of the modern-day trampoline was athletic training, namely as a tumbling device. Shortly after their introduction, they were also applied in military aviation training. Although recreation was not part of the plan, manufacturers eventually learned how to produce frame work and hardware that could be easily assembled at home. This quickly transitioned trampolines into family recreation and leisure. Continue reading to learn what others think about recreational trampoline use.

Authorities Who Warn Against Trampolines

Throughout the years, trampoline manufacturers have added more safety features, such as padding or netting. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) continues to warn consumers about the characteristic dangers of trampolines. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) insists that these safety features have failed to impact the ongoing trampoline injury rate, especially among children. For many years, they have strongly advocated against recreational trampoline use. They even published a paper 5 years ago that discussed how trampolines pose a serious threat to the safety of children.

Read the AAP publication, here.

There are three types of accidents that commonly occur on trampolines. Users either collide into one another, fall off, or injure themselves on the springs and framework. The most common trampoline injuries include bruising and hematomas, orthopedic fractures and dislocations, spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.

Recreational Trampoline Use

Despite the dangers associated with recreational trampoline use, trampolines continue to be a staple in family backyards, and thousands are sold on the public market every day. You have probably enjoyed a trampoline as a child yourself, but whether or not you were hurt is not an indication of the potential threats they pose to children. If you own a trampoline for your child, it is important to set concrete safety rules for them, and to supervise playing children at all times.

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

If your child was seriously injured on a playmate’s trampoline, then you may need to consider a legal course of action. This is especially important if you are having trouble with your insurance company, or if the responsible party is unwilling to provide recompense for your damages and losses. This includes hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, prolonged physical therapy, pain and suffering, and more.

Contact an experienced Indianapolis child injury lawyer at Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. for help getting started on your claim. We use every resource in our power to recover the full and fair settlement you and your child deserves. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.

Tips for Childproofing Dangerous Areas of a Home

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Whether you are new to parenting, or you are interested in taking on some babysitting jobs from within your own house, it is important to know which areas of a home to childproof. Common sense will tell anyone to put up baby gates and install electrical outlet covers for curious fingers; but what about the other danger-zones of a home? There are a few areas of a home that can be extremely dangerous to children and toddlers, and should be properly child-proofed for security and safety.

Continue reading to learn the most important areas of a home to childproof, and who to call if your child was recently injured as a result of a negligent care-giver or babysitter.

Living Room

In order to properly childproof a living room or family space, it is important to consider all the areas within that space that are potentially dangerous to toddlers and young children. For example, babies are often intrigued by anything that dangles. This includes pulleys for curtains and blinds. Several toddlers are injured or killed each year from strangulation of blind cords and curtain strings. To prevent this from happening, install a cord-shortener or wind-up tab for strings like these. Here are some more tips that many parents overlook:

• Bolt, Strap, or Secure Top-Heavy Furniture to the Ground or Wall (i.e. bookcases, television sets, etc.)
• Avoid Pressure-Mounted Baby Gates; Use Hardware-Mounted gates for Tops and Bottoms of Stairwells
• Install Rubber Pads on Sharp Corners of Tables, Furniture, and Counters
• Install Electrical Outlet Covers
• Keep Carpets and Floors Vacuumed and Swept at All Times

Kitchen

More than 10 million children each year are admitted to emergency rooms for kitchen related injuries and accidents. When it comes to childproofing kitchens, the same precautions and preventative maintenance apply, but in different areas. Like the living room and family areas, it is wise to bolt or secure top-heavy furniture and appliances so they do not tip over and fall on top of a small child. Baby gates are also a responsible solution for kitchen safety for babies. Use them to shut off access to certain parts of a kitchen, like stairs, railings, and china cabinets. Here are some additional danger-zones to childproof in a kitchen:

• Install Childproof Locks to Stove, Refrigerator, Dishwasher, and Other Kitchen Appliances
• Install Childproof Locks on Kitchen Cabinets
• Lock Up All Cleaning Solutions, Chemicals, and Detergents
• Keep Medicine, Batteries, and Other Hazardous Items in Upper Cabinets
• Install Stove Shields to Prevent Boiling Water Run-Off and Hot Food Splatter
• Install Rubber Corners on Countertops and Sharp Baseboards
• Keep Kitchen Floors Swept and Sanitized at All Times

Bathroom

Just like the living areas and kitchen, the bathroom should be childproofed as well. There are several dangerous items and areas that can cause fatalities and serious injuries to children. Of course electrical outlets should be covered and protected, but there is more to childproofing a bathroom than this. Be sure to dot your “i’s” and cross your “t’s” when it comes to these additional childproofing tips for bathrooms:

• Install GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) Outlets Near Sinks and Other Plumbing Fixtures
• Install a Childproof Lock or Latch on Toilet Seats
• Decrease your Home’s Hot Water Temperature Capacity to Below 120 Degrees to Prevent Scalds and Burn Accidents
• Lock Up All Cleaning Solutions, Chemicals, and Detergents
• Install Childproof Locks on Bathroom Cabinets
• Keep Floors Swept and Free of Debris
• Remove All Bathtub Accessories that Could Be Choking or Health Hazards (i.e. loofas, bath salts, razors, towels, etc.)

Backyard

Pool and patio safety should be your number one concern when it comes to childproofing a backyard. Too many drowning and falling accidents occur to young children as a result of poor childproofing. Here are the most important considerations for a childproof backyard:

• Install a Fence Around Pool Decks that Locks
• Install a Durable Pool Cover Along With Drain Covers to Prevent Entrapment
• Empty Kiddie Pools When Not in Use and Always Use Fresh Water for Each Use
• Install Netting in Between Patio Railings and Siding to Prevent Falls
• Know the Plants in Your Yard and Remove Anything Poisonous

If you child was recently injured as a result of poor childproofing in another’s care, contact an Indianapolis Child Injury Lawyer for information about filing a claim. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Exemplary damages include lost wages, medical expenses, hospital bills, wrongful death, pain, suffering, loss of love or companionship, mental anguish, prolonged rehabilitation, funeral expenses, and much more.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn more about filing a child injury lawsuit in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorney, Daniel Craven, is a seasoned personal injury lawyer with decades of litigation and trial experience. He and our professional legal teams are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after your child was injured or taken in an accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and schedule an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer you can trust, today.