For many parents, the bright and colorful playground at many fast food
restaurants all over Kentucky and Indiana can be as alluring if not
more alluring than the fast food itself. However, as an article from MSN points out, there are many potential dangers in these fast food playgrounds that result in serious injury to a child.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
estimates that emergency rooms treat more than 200,000 children every
year for playground-related injuries. These playgrounds
found at fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King are
referred to as "soft-contained playgrounds." While the restaurants are
the ones that will profit from the playgrounds as they attract
customers, restaurants argue that since they hire independent
contractors to build the play structures, they are not responsible for
their customers' safety.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets the national standard for soft-contained playgrounds. However, even if a restaurant complies with these standards, each chain is responsible for self-policing its playground for safety compliance. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets guidelines and regulations but does not have the staff to enforce its rules. They have created a Soft-Contained Play Equipment Safety Checklist which parents can use to help determine if playgrounds are safe for their children's use.
In some cases action has been taken by CPSC against fast food restaurants for safety code violations. The agency fined McDonald's $4 million in 1999 regarding its soft playgrounds.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
estimates that emergency rooms treat more than 200,000 children every
year for playground-related injuries. These playgrounds
found at fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King are
referred to as "soft-contained playgrounds." While the restaurants are
the ones that will profit from the playgrounds as they attract
customers, restaurants argue that since they hire independent
contractors to build the play structures, they are not responsible for
their customers' safety. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets the national standard for soft-contained playgrounds. However, even if a restaurant complies with these standards, each chain is responsible for self-policing its playground for safety compliance. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) sets guidelines and regulations but does not have the staff to enforce its rules. They have created a Soft-Contained Play Equipment Safety Checklist which parents can use to help determine if playgrounds are safe for their children's use.
In some cases action has been taken by CPSC against fast food restaurants for safety code violations. The agency fined McDonald's $4 million in 1999 regarding its soft playgrounds.
If your child or a loved one's child has been injured due to the hazards in a play structure, please contact our personal injury attorneys at Miller & Falkner immediately for a free case evaluation.
