Kids across Connecticut play on swing sets, jungle gyms and other outdoor recreational equipment all the time. Rarely, if ever, do parent stop and think about whether these structures have been properly inspected and maintained. However, property owners and those responsible for the equipment must be diligent in keeping it safe.
If these parties fail to comply with this obligation, people can be seriously injured. For instance, a young man suffered brain damage as a 15-year-old when a swing set collapsed on top of him.
Known problems
According to reports, the accident could have been prevented. The swing set had evidently failed multiple times, but the homeowners association responsible for its upkeep failed to fix or remove the dangerous equipment.
As a result of the failed maintenance, a 42-pound metal bar fell on the young man when he sat down on the swing set. The bar crushed his skull and left him with serious brain damage.
Liability issues
While the man’s lawsuit cited multiple parties, a jury determined that the association was solely responsible for the accident and injuries. It ordered the HOA to pay $20 million. This award will likely be spread out among the homeowners in the association, and each one could wind up paying $80,000.
What readers can take from this case
While this case occurred in another state, Connecticut residents can take some valuable information from it.
First, it can be difficult to identify liability, especially in cases involving accidents on playground equipment. Second, when injuries are serious, there may be considerable damages at stake. Finally, readers should know that fighting for what a victim deserves could involve taking the case all the way to court.
With all this in mind, it can be clear that legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney can be beneficial if you or a loved one has been injured in a similar accident.