Michigan Equipment Safety Act: Public Playground Injuries and Liability

The Michigan Playground Equipment Act protects the assembly and manufacturing of playground equipment. It imposes liability on the builder for negligent assembly.

408.685 Violation of act; penalty; default; disposition of collections.

Sec. 5. (1) A person who violates this act in the manufacture of public playground equipment is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $10,000.00.

(2) A person who violates this act in the assembly of public playground equipment is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $1,000.00.

(3) A default in the payment of a civil fine or costs ordered under this act or an installment of the fine or costs may be remedied by any means authorized under the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.101 to 600.9947.

(4) Money collected under this section shall be deposited into the children’s trust fund established under section 1 of 1982 PA 249, MCL 21.171.

If your child has been injured on a playground due to the negligence of the person that built it, then contact our firm immediately. You don’t pay until we the recover the money that’s rightfully yours.

A survey of Michigan playgrounds found 88 percent of playgrounds lacked adequate surface protection – less than the recommended nine inches of loose fill or wood chips – and 65 percent of playgrounds had slides and climbers higher than the recommended maximum of six feet. To be safe, avoid play areas built on hard grass or asphalt, and look for hazards where clothing can get caught and strangle a child.

If you believe your child or love one may be a victim of a playground injury, in certain cases you may be entitled to a settlement or financial compensation. Let us help you through this dark time in your child’s or loved one’s life, because as parents ourselves we know how tragic injuries to children can be for the entire family. Our Michigan attorneys have the experience to handle playground injury cases, and will fight for you to get the justice you deserve. There is no charge or legal fees for our lawyers to investigate childhood injuries unless and until we win money for you. Remember, at Goodwin & Scieszka our lawyers fight for you.