Sledding Injuries Present Possible Negligence Issues
When you or someone you love is injured by the negligence of another, you need the assistance of an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. Unfortunately, due to road conditions and ice in general, it seems that more people wind up injured during the winter months than any other time of year. While we all recognize the dangers involved with things like driving on snowy and icy roads, some other winter dangers may not immediately come to mind. One such danger is that associated with sledding.
Sledding Can Lead to Injuries
Sledding is a lot of fun for kids. While things like video games and smart phones have changed the face of childhood, this is one annual tradition that has not changed for generations. Unfortunately, it can cause some serious injuries. WebMD News reports that researchers for the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus Ohio found that between 1997 and 2007, sledding landed 229,023 kids under the age of 19 in the emergency room. That is roughly 20,000 kids each year with an injury severe enough to seek emergency treatment. Over one-fourth of the injuries were fractures, and over one-third of the injuries involved the head. Over half of the injuries occurred at a place of sports or recreation and almost one-third of them happened on private property.
Cities Likely Cannot be Held Liable, but Private Property Owners May Not be Immune
The Chicago Tribune recently reported on Dubuque, Iowa’s decision to ban sledding in all but two of the city’s 50 parks. Its unlikely that Chicago parks will take such action because state law protects city governments from liability on most public property. But as the statistics show, almost one-third of the accidents involving emergency room visits are not happening in parks, but instead are happening on private property. These private property owners in Illinois do not have the same immunity from liability as government agencies do. So if private property owners are negligent in allowing sledding without enforcing safety measures, they may be held liable.
Call Now
When you or someone you love is injured by the negligence of another, you need the assistance of a an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer. That is why you should call Bizzieri Law Offices. If you call us at (773)881-9000 we can schedule a free consultation to go over the details of your situation and see how we can be of assistance.
