Each year, 43,600 children are injured in slips, trips, and falls in home bathtubs and showers. That means almost 120 children are injured at home each day in slip and fall accidents.
According to a report by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the largest number of bathtub injuries involved children 2 years of age. In fact, children under age 4 accounted for 54.3% of the injuries.
Experts agree that even if parents are hyper-vigilant in watching their children while they are in the bathtub or shower, child drowning accidents will still occur.
Manufacturers of bathtubs could make bathtubs safer by using non-slip surfaces and sides with grip bars. In fact the AAP study states, “The incidence of these injuries may be decreased by increasing the coefficient of friction of bathtub and shower surfaces.”
Dr. David L. Katz, director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine, finds it alarming that there is such a high number of children injured severely enough in bathtub accidents to go to the emergency room. “Manufacturers need to go back and look at the current standard for slip resistance and strengthen that criteria,” he said on Medicine.net.
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If your child has been injured in a bathtub accident in Massachusetts, you will want to consult with an experienced Andover personal injury attorney to discuss the particulars of your case. For over 30 years The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts, has fought on behalf of children. Our child injury lawyers take time when speaking with you about your child’s injuries. Mr. Kiley’s firm works with you on a contingency basis, which means there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury attorneys win your case. Call now for a FREE legal consultation.
