Ways Florida Kids Get Hurt at Summer Camp – and What to Do About It           

Is your child attending a summer camp this year? You need to know what to do if your child experiences an injury at summer camp. In this post, we’ll tell you about the most common injuries and ways to protect your child against them. We’ll also let you know what to do if your child was injured due to someone else’s negligence.

Most Common Florida Summer Camp Injuries

Your child may experience one or more of these most common types of summer camp injuries.

Falls or Collisions

Whether your child is attending a sports camp, nature camp, arts camp, or any other type, dangerous falls may occur. A fall can result in simple scrapes and bruises or more serious injuries like punctures and fractures.

Collision injuries can occur if your child runs into an object or another person, and the level of injury will depend on the type of impact.

If your child’s injury occurred because the floor’s surface was wet, slippery, or cluttered, the camp may be held legally responsible if they did not take reasonable measures to prevent, mark or correct the problem. If the camp acted in negligence which caused your child’s injury, you may be able to file a premises liability claim.

Since these types of cases can be complicated, it’s best to consult with an experienced attorney who will know whether the camp can be held liable.

Concussions

These serious brain injuries result from trauma to the head or slip and fall injuries. A child who experiences a fall could have long-lasting or serious consequences from a concussion. Your child’s camp staff must require the use of protective headgear in high risk situations like rock climbing or biking, or it can be held liable for any resulting injuries.

Burns

Part of the fun of summer camps is enjoying a campfire. However, children must be carefully supervised when exposed to fire. If you child is burned by a fire while at camp, you may have grounds for a personal liability claim.

Water Injuries

If your child’s summer camp offers swimming opportunities, camp staff members must be trained in lifeguarding and water rescue skills to prevent drowning. Children need close supervision when near or in water.

If possible, choose an accredited camp which requires certification for water activities and other camp activities. It’s also wise to teach your child basic swimming skills before heading to camp. If the camp was negligent in any way and your child suffered a water injury, contact a skilled injury attorney for help.

Cuts

Because knives are used in camping, fishing, and many other outdoor activities, cuts can occur at summer camps. In fact, they make up about 15 percent of all summer camp injuries. Children must be supervised at all times to minimize the risk of cuts. If your child experienced a cut due to the camp’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Reactions to Nature

Since many summer camps let children explore nature, your child could be harmed by exposure to rash-inducing plants, stinging insects, or biting animals.

If you are already aware of your child’s allergy to certain animals, insects or plants, be sure to pack medication and inform the camp of your child’s condition.

If Your Child Experiences a Summer Camp Injury

Most camps require you to sign a waiver for your child to participate. If your child is injured, however, the waiver is not necessarily iron-clad. You need to bring the waiver, along with a medical report of your child’s injuries, to an experienced Florida child injury attorney for review.

A skilled attorney will be able to determine if the camp can be held liable for your child’s injury. Here are several reasons that a camp may be held liable, depending on the circumstances:

• Failure to perform background checks on all staff members
• Failure to properly train staff in skills consistent with professional standards
• Failure to supervise children during a high-risk activity
• Failure to reasonably address issues that led to a slip and fall injury

The standard of reasonable care is higher at a summer camp than what it is for an ordinary person in charge of taking care of children in a similar context. Camp staff members and volunteers must be fully trained in their legal responsibilities for your child. If a staff member or volunteer violates the standard of care due to negligence, you may be able to file a claim.

Call today for a free case review with a knowledgeable Florida child injury attorney.

About the Author:

Lawlor, White & Murphey in 1998. Since 1995, Mr. Lawlor’s trial advocacy and litigation skills, as well as his wide-ranging legal expertise, have provided plaintiffs and their families with a distinct advantage when seeking financial compensation and justice for injuries caused by the negligence of others. Mr. Lawlor is an EAGLE member of the Florida Bar Association and an active member of the American Association for Justice, the Broward County Justice Association, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and several professional associations.