PREVENTING LAWN MOWER INJURIES
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 200,000 people, including 16,200 minors, were injured in lawn mower-related incidents in 2007.
While summer is a busy time for preteens and teenagers who want to make a few extra bucks mowing lawns, a doctor out of the Loyola University Health System has warned that children under the age of 16 should not be permitted to ride or walk behind lawn mowers. Many children lose toes and suffer more severe injuries due to lawn mower misuse.
Children should be kept away from lawn mowers, even if the lawn mower is shut off. Devastating injury and disfigurement can occur if the lawn mower operator is not careful. Children are especially attracted to riding lawn mowers. The CPSC provides the following additional lawn mower safety tips:
1. Keep small children out of the mowing area, and in the watchful care of a responsible adult other than the lawn mower operator.
2. Be alert and turn the lawn mower off if a child enters the area.
3. Before and while backing up, carefully look behind and down to scan the area for small children.
4. Never carry children on riding lawn mowers, even with the blade(s) shut off. They may fall off and be seriously injured or interfere with safe mower operation. Children who have been given rides in the past may suddenly appear in the mowing area for another ride and be run over or backed over by the machine.
5. Never allow children to operate the machine.
6. Use extreme care when approaching blind corners, shrubs, and trees, or other objects that may block your view of a child.
If you or your child has been injured by a lawn mower, you may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit.
At the Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll, we believe it is outrageous for companies to manufacture and distribute products that are unreasonably dangerous or otherwise violate federal law. We will work hard to not only see that you are compensated for your losses, but to prevent future injuries. We have obtained multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients. If you would like more information about how to proceed with a product liability lawsuit, contact us at (312) 676-7222.
