Concussion and TBI Common in Stroller Accidents

September 01, 2016, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

A recent American study puclished in Academic Pediatrics has shown that more than 17,000 young children end up in emergency rooms every year due to accidents involving their strollers or car seats. The majority of the hospitalizations were for soft tissue injuries like bumps and bruises however,

• 25% of the accidents resulted in TBI.
• Brain injury from carrier accidents accounted for almost 80% of the hospitalizations
• Brain injury from stroller accidents accounted for 65 % of the hospitalizations.
• The head and face were most commonly injured
• 67% of kids fell out of their strollers
• 63% fell out of their car seats
• 16% were injured when the stroller tipped
• 29% were injured when the carrier tipped

Co-author Kristi Roberts, MPH, a research associate in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, says “Traumatic brain injuries and concussions in young children may have long-term consequences on cognitive development. These injuries have become the most common diagnosis associated with stroller- and carrier-related injuries.”

While strollers and carriers are used safely by tens of millions of people daily, the study showed that there is an average of two injuries every hour in the US due to stroller/carrier accidents. Safety experts recommend the following when you use carriers and strollers:

• Follow manufacturer instructions and BUCKLE UP
• Don’t load handles with heavy items like purses and bags.
• Ensure the stroller/carrier fits your child
• Lock the wheels of strollers when you aren’t moving
• Check periodically for recalls

You can watch a video on safety here.

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

The opinions expressed here, while intended to provide useful information, should not be interpreted as legal recommendations or advice.