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Playground Practice Area

Playground Safety Experts


According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), each year more than 190,000 children sustain injuries on public playgrounds that are serious enough to require emergency room medical treatment. Tragically, on average, 15 to 20 children die each year as a result of playground incidents.

The experts at Robson Forensic have investigated more than 125 playground injuries and fatalities. An analysis of these cases reveals that the leading causes of injuries to children at playgrounds are equipment design or maintenance issues, protective safety surfacing, and supervision. The resulting incidents include entrapment, entanglement, falls, and shear and crush accidents. These incidents occurred across a variety of playground settings from schools and parks, to recreational facilities, day care centers, and apartment complexes. The types of injuries we have investigated include head traumas, orthopedic injuries, neurological impairments, permanent dental conditions, amputations, burns, kidney damage, and eye injuries.

The experts involved in these matters vary from case to case, but may include Certified Playground Safety Inspectors, architects, child educators, sports experts, biomedical engineers, and human factors specialists. Please contact child supervision expert, Lisa Thorsen, to discuss your matter and how we can help.

Related Articles/Documents
  • Playground Surface - Experts Investigate Fall from Climbing Equipment
    • Playground Surface - Experts Investigate Fall from Climbing Equipment

      A seven-year-old boy suffered a traumatic brain injury when he fell from a piece of playground equipment at a shopping mall. Robson Forensic premises safety experts were retained to investigate the incident.

      View Full Article HERE

  • Waterslide – Expert Investigates Collision in Waterslide Run-Out
    • Waterslide – Expert Investigates Collision in Waterslide Run-Out

      A physician broke his arm while attempting to exit the run-out at the end of a waterslide. After the victim completed his descent of the slide, he rose to his feet and was struck by the following rider; his legs were knocked out from under him and he fell upon the edge of the waterslide, fracturing his humerus. Robson Forensic aquatic safety expert, Maria Bella, AFOIT, CPOI, LGI, was retained to determine if the waterpark operated the subject waterslide in a manner that caused this incident.

      View Full Case HERE

  • Playground Safety Report
    • Playground Safety Report

      A child suffered a concussion and traumatic brain injury in a fall at a municipal playground. His head struck what should have been a protective surface under the play equipment, but the loose fill bark mulch was so thin there were areas where the stone sub-surface was visible. Robson Forensic was retained to evaluate the safety of the playground and to explain the standard of care for safe playground operations and maintenance.

      View Full Our Work HERE

  • Children's Expectations & Beliefs Toward the Relative Safety of Riding Bicycles at Night
    • Children's Expectations & Beliefs Toward the Relative Safety of Riding Bicycles at Night

      This study examined middle-school-aged children's expectations, attitudes, and perceptions toward the relative safety of riding bicycles at night with reflectors and/or head and tail lights.

      View Full Article HERE

  • Child Supervision - Robson Forensic Experts
    • Child Supervision - Robson Forensic Experts

      A child’s safety depends in large part on the quality of adult supervision. Effective supervision is much more than merely watching children play.

      View Full Mailer HERE

  • Robson Forensic Brochure
    • Robson Forensic Brochure

      Robson Forensic has been providing high quality and professional forensic engineering, architectural, scientific and investigative services throughout the United States since 1987. Robson Forensic provides expertise in a broad range of forensic and technical disciplines.

      View Full Mailer HERE