NYC Sues Family Of Girl Burned On Playground Mat

[yizuman]

Isabella Kern Had Skin On Bare Feet Literally Melt Off Before Her Eyes; Now City Is Calling Her Grandmother Negligent

A little girl from Queens spent a week in the hospital, after severely burning her feet at a New York City playground.

So, why is the city suing her family?

Isabella Kern is 4 years old, and once again feels comfortable playing at Annandale Park in Forest Hills. When she was 1 ½ years old she was at the park with her grandmother, took off her shoes to play in the sprinkler and when she ran toward the slides her bare feet touched the black rubber matting.

"As soon as she had put her feet on this mat, ultimately the second that her feet had touched that ground it immediately melted the skin on her feet," said Chris Kern, Isabella's father.

Isabella spent five days at the Cornell burn unit and couldn't walk for nine days. Her parents are concerned about other kids getting burned on these mats that can reach temperatures of more than 160 degrees, so they sued the city.

Last month, the city responded by suing Isabella's grandmother, claiming it was her negligence that caused the injuries.

The family couldn't believe it.

"I was kind of surprised to see the response was to countersue a little old lady who quite simply was just enjoying a day in the park with her granddaughter," Chris Kern said.

The Parks Department said "signs are posted at playgrounds throughout the city reminding park patrons to wear shoes and appropriate clothing when it gets hot."

The Kerns, however, said there were no such sign in place before Isabella was burned. But after their complaint, one went up with a warning about the dangers of bare feet added to the bottom.

Chris Kern said several children have been burned on the rubber mats, and it's time for the city to make a change.

With the lawsuits pending, the city would not comment.

Source: NYC Sues Family Of Girl Burned On Playground Mat - wcbstv.com

What the hell?

Yiz

 

[VamPyroX]

Yikes!

Whatever happened to the good old days where playgrounds had old-fashioned stuff like slides, swings, gymnasiums, etc...? Now, it's all plastic... with mats... with padding... etc.

 

[Babyblue]

I remember a similar suit on children getting their fannies burnt on slides.


The city may have a chance, if they actually had warning signs posted.

 

[shel90]

Yea, those mats can get really hot and I am always yelling at my son to keep his shoes on.

If there are inheed signs posted throughout the park warning of this, then the city may win. It is an unfortunate situation...

 

[WhisperHorse]

Yea, those mats can get really hot and I am always yelling at my son to keep his shoes on.

If there are inheed signs posted throughout the park warning of this, then the city may win. It is an unfortunate situation...

It says that they set that warning sign up AFTER they sued the city.

 

[VamPyroX]

It says that they set that warning sign up AFTER they sued the city.

Well, it seems that there were 2 signs.

The city claimed that they did have signs reminding people to wear shoes and appropriate clothing.

What they put up AFTER the incident was a sign warning of what would happen if they were barefoot.

 

[C.C.Sinned]

Yikes!

Whatever happened to the good old days where playgrounds had old-fashioned stuff like slides, swings, gymnasiums, etc...? Now, it's all plastic... with mats... with padding... etc.

lol, ah yes, remember when playing on steel jungle gyms, slides and swing sets and they all were on asphalt and concrete...

we even rode bikes without helmets. most of us idolized Evel Knievel and recreated jumps

 

[Babyblue]

The Parks Department said "signs are posted at playgrounds throughout the city reminding park patrons to wear shoes and appropriate clothing when it gets hot."

The Kerns, however, said there were no such sign in place before Isabella was burned. But after their complaint, one went up with a warning about the dangers of bare feet added to the bottom.

Bare feet signs went up after the girl got burnt. But they "said" they already had signs about appropriate clothing and shoes.



People need to learn to use common sense. Sad to say. Majority of accidents are preventable if common sense was used.

I say the park is at fault, for having a mat that can get that hot in the first place. If the girl was wearing shoes, and clothing, and fell on the mat and hit her face! Surely she is not wearing a mask to protect her face from the scorching mat. So what is the difference. It still pose a great danger on children at a playground. The City should have to pay and leave poor Grandma alone!!!


Perhaps the city needs to sue the manufacture that created a mat that is allowed to reach such temperature. If they want to be sue happy about it.

 

[sallylou]

I fell on concrete pavements and it didn't hurt me none.

 

[omegaman]

The grandmother can say that she can't read or signs were in a bad location, etc. And, most kids don't pay attention to signs anyway. Overall, I don't think the grandmother is at fault, because even if there were visible signs, how does a grandmother chase after a child? I mean, kids will be kids. What about kids that use the playground whilst unsupervised? A safe playground should be designed to protect all kids.

The way I see the situation, the council/city is at fault, because even if they posted the signs, then they would have known that there was a potential risk that somebody could get hurt. Furthermore, rather than replacing the mats and/or improving safety, the council/city decided to do nothing.

I agree with VamPyroX though. The old days ruled. If you break your arm after falling from a monkey bar - have a good cry and try again someday. Practice makes perfect; at least coordination and reflexes will improve.