August most dangerous month for minors

‘Supervision of minors and extra vigilance can save lives and prevent injuries this August’, according to InjuriesBoard.ie and Children’s University Hospital Temple Street (CUH). Injuries Board data shows that accidents to minors (in a public place) are five times more likely to occur in August than in December, making it the most dangerous month of the year.

Last year, one in ten public liability awards were made to minors with incidents occurring in playgrounds, sports grounds, shops, schools and footpaths and resulting mainly in multiple and soft tissue type injuries. Around 126 minors were awarded compensation totalling €2.18 million, or an average of €17,307.50. 

Further analysis by InjuriesBoard.ie indicates the following trends:

• Almost one third (31%) of awards to minors for accidents in public places were made to children aged between three and seven with 20% relating to children aged between seven and ten.
• The highest compensation award to a minor for an injury sustained in a public place in 2010 was €63,000 and the lowest was €1,250.
• The predominant causes of accidents in public places for minors last year were slips, trips and falls.
• 5.5% of all minor public liability awards related to accidents that occurred on bouncy castles or in play areas such as playgrounds caused by falls from playground structures such as swings and slides. In all cases involving play areas, fractures are the chief injury sustained.