Recreational injuries are a common cause of brain injury, especially in children. Common recreational injuries that cause brain injury in children include the following:

• Swimming pool accidents. Swimming pool accidents can result in serious brain injury in children, specifically in near-drowning incidents in which the brain goes without oxygen for a period of time. Proper safety measures should be taken around all pools, including installing gates, fences, locks, and warning signs. In addition, children should never be left unattended in pool areas, and lifeguards, parents, and caretakers should be educated in CPR.

• Trampoline accidents. Trampoline mishaps account for a growing number of serious head injuries. In order to minimize risk, children should be supervised by adults while using the trampoline. Trampolines should be placed in level, well-lit areas, and should be surrounded by protective netting. In addition landing areas, as well as supporting bars and strings, should be padded.

• Playground accidents. More than 200,000 children under the age of 14 are treated in the emergency room for playground-related injuries, many of them head injuries. Falls to inappropriate playground surfaces account for many of these injuries, while defectively designed equipment accounts for others.

If you think your child has been injured in a recreational injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact us to find out how we can help. We can carefully review your child’s accident to determine whether or not someone is at fault for your child’s brain injury, and can help your child get the benefits and therapies she deserves.