Girl Sustains Serious Injury at City-Run Day Camp

This case involves an injury caused by allegedly deficient materials and supervision at a day camp run by the city. A child was playing on a baseball diamond, which was part of a larger recreational park, when she started to climb the fence behind home plate. As she started climbing, the fence, which was not designed to support any excessive weight, began to bend until the girl fell. She sustained a broken wrist, a broken arm, and multiple lacerations on her face.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What are the responsibilities of the supervisors at the day camp as it pertains to maintenance of equipment and supervising the children?

2. Is the city liable to ensure that the children have a safe environment?

Expert Witness Response E-005770

Yes, it is the responsibility of the city to ensure their facilities are monitored for safety. Also, the day camp should have had a coach, instructor, or leader that would be responsible for ensuring that all the children were respecting the rules of the organization, the field, and the equipment; as adults we know not to climb on equipment that is not meant to be climbed on. The city should have an employee that is monitoring the field, someone to ensure the user groups understand the proper usage, and someone who is ensuring that all equipment is safe to use. I am a charted professional coach with a variety of experiences monitoring programs within different facilities. My role as a facility associate and recreation attendant includes ensuring that the facility's equipment is in proper working order, making sure the equipment is properly used, and ensuring the safety of the public in and around recreational facilities.