Summertime Injuries for Children

Summer is a season for children to enjoy the outdoors, swim, and engage in various activities, but it also brings an increased risk of injuries.

Common injuries children suffer during the summer

During the summer, children are often more active and engaged in various outdoor activities, increasing the risk of injuries. Here are some common ways children can get injured during the summer and tips for prevention:

• Biking accidents: Biking is a popular summer activity for kids, but it can lead to head injuries, fractures, cuts, and scrapes. Ensure children wear helmets, use properly fitted bikes, ride in safe areas away from heavy traffic, and follow road safety rules.
• Burns and sunburns: Burns from fireworks, campfires, grills, and severe sunburns are common during the summer. Keep children away from fireworks, campfires, and hot grills. Apply sunscreen regularly, encourage wearing hats and protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure during peak hours.
• Falls from heights: Injuries from falls can vary in severity depending on the height of the fall and the surface they land on. Ensure safety barriers on balconies and windows, supervise children on ladders and play structures, and teach them about the dangers of climbing unsafe structures.
• Heat-related illnesses: Hot weather can result in heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. Keep children hydrated, encourage breaks in the shade, dress them in light, breathable clothing, and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day.
• Insect bites and stings: Allergic reactions, infections, and discomfort from bites or stings afflict thousands of children each summer. Use insect repellent, avoid areas with high insect activity, wear long sleeves and pants in wooded areas, and check for ticks after outdoor activities.
• Playground accidents: Children can sustain serious injuries on playgrounds, including falls, cuts, bruises, fractures, and head injuries. Check playground equipment for safety, ensure surfaces are soft and well-maintained, and supervise children while they play.
• Skateboarding and rollerblading accidents: Children can be injured on skateboards and rollerblades in various ways, often due to falls, collisions, or improper use of equipment. To help prevent fractures, sprains, cuts, and head injuries, ensure children wear helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards. Encourage them to practice in safe areas away from traffic and obstacles.
• Sports injuries: Children participating in summer sports can suffer sprains, strains, fractures, concussions, and dehydration. Use appropriate sports gear, teach proper techniques, ensure adequate hydration, and encourage warming up and cooling down before and after activities.
• Trampoline injuries: According to a 2022 report published in Pediatric Emergency Care, more than 800,000 children sustained trampoline injuries, including fractures, sprains, strains, and head injuries, in the U.S. between 2009 and 2018. Use trampolines with safety nets and padding, supervise children, limit the number of jumpers, and avoid risky maneuvers like flips and somersaults.
• Swimming and water-related injuries: Many children enjoy swimming pools in the summertime, and little if any thought is given to the risk of drowning, near-drowning incidents, cuts, and head injuries. Always supervise children around water, ensure they wear life jackets, enroll them in swimming lessons, and teach water safety rules. Make sure pools have proper fencing and safety equipment.

While summer is a time for fun and outdoor activities, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and take proactive steps to ensure children’s safety. By implementing safety measures and providing supervision, many common summer injuries can be prevented.

Who can be held liable if a child is injured at a public pool?

Determining liability in the event of a child’s injury at a public pool can involve multiple parties and depends on various factors. Here are some potential parties that may be held liable:

• Government entities: If the public pool is operated by a government entity, there may be additional legal considerations and protections in place. Government entities may have sovereign immunity, which limits their liability. However, if they fail to uphold safety standards or maintain the facility, they may still be held liable under certain circumstances.
• Lifeguards and staff: Lifeguards are responsible for monitoring swimmers and ensuring safety in the pool area. They should respond quickly to emergencies and enforce safety rules. If a lifeguard fails to perform their duties adequately (e.g., not watching the pool, not intervening in a dangerous situation, or not responding appropriately to an emergency), they or the facility may be liable for any resulting injuries.
• Other swimmers: Patrons have a responsibility to behave safely and follow pool rules to avoid causing harm to others. If another swimmer’s reckless or negligent behavior (roughhousing or diving in shallow water) leads to an injury, they could potentially be held liable.
• Pool owners or operators: Public pool owners and operators have a legal duty to maintain a safe environment for patrons. This includes ensuring that the pool area is clean, well-maintained, and free of hazards. If an injury occurs due to negligence, such as failing to repair broken equipment, maintain safe water quality, or provide adequate safety measures (like lifeguards), the owner or operator may be held liable.
• Pool equipment manufacturers: Manufacturers and suppliers of pool equipment (slides, diving boards, or safety equipment) must ensure their products are safe and free from defects. If an injury is caused by a defect in the equipment—a faulty slide or diving board—the manufacturer may be held liable.

Does negligence have to be proven?

Negligence generally must be proven in a public pool accident to establish liability. Negligence is a legal standard that involves demonstrating that a party failed to act with reasonable care, leading to injury or harm. In some cases, the injured party may share some responsibility for the accident. In Washington, the concept of contributory fault may apply, which can reduce the compensation awarded based on the percentage of fault assigned to each party. Public pool accidents may also fall under premises liability law, which holds property owners accountable for injuries occurring on their property due to unsafe conditions.

At Smith McBroom, we understand the profound impact that accidents and injuries can have on the lives of children and their families. Child injuries can occur in various settings, including playgrounds, daycare centers, homes, and on the road. Whether the injury is the result of a negligent individual, a defective product, or unsafe premises, our team of skilled Seattle child injury attorneys is here to provide the legal support and guidance you need during these challenging times.

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