Shopping cart injuries aren't a hot topic of conversation, and these injuries aren't highlighted in the media. Yet a new study that was published in Clinical Pediatrics reveals that the number of shopping cart injuries is escalating each year. On average, about 24,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to hospital emergency rooms every year as a result of shopping cart injuries according to the Nationwide Children's Hospital. Shockingly, the number of cart-related head injuries has increased over the years.

The study suggests that the existing safety standards for cart use may not be enough to protect children. The study alleges that about 66 children per day are sent to emergency rooms. Currently, shopping cart safety standards are implemented by manufacturers.

Changes were made to shopping cart safety in 2004 in an attempt to further reduce the number of injuries. Yet this did not have any effect on the steady number of shopping cart injuries reported. 70% of all child shopping cart injuries involve the child falling out of the shopping cart. Oftentimes if the child is not secured into the cart, or is sitting in the basket of the cart and teetering back and forth, this can result in an injury.

Also, 8% of all children run into or fall over the cart, and 6% of children are injured when the cart is tipped over. Another 6% of children suffer injury when they are trapped in the cart. Parents should always watch out for their kids while they are in these carts, but researchers believe that the cart manufacturers may be to blame. Researchers suggest that design chances, such as placing a child seat closer to the ground to avoid high falls, could help to reduce these injuries. The researchers also believe that safety belts could help to eliminate the number of shopping cart falls.

If your child is injured in a shopping-cart related injury, you may be able to seek compensation from the store where the incident happened through premises liability. This is because stores are required to make sure that their establishment is relatively safe for shoppers. If the carts are dangerous and pose a risk to a young child, then they may be held responsible. If your child is injured in a shopping cart at a store, you need to file a complaint and make the store aware that the carts pose a risk. If you do not do this, other children may also be harmed when in the cart. The store should not carry carts that can pose risks to shoppers and their children.

Also, you may be able to sue the product's manufacturer if the cart is defective. You will want to discuss this possibility with a local personal injury attorney, as these lawsuits can often be complicated because they are filed against a corporation. An attorney can help you to determine if the cart's design, manufacture, or failure to provide adequate warnings constitutes the ability to file a lawsuit. Children under the age of 5 are most at risk to a shopping cart incident, as children that are newborns up to the age of four account for 85% of all shopping car injuries.

Hospital researchers say that young children have a higher center of gravity and they don't have enough arm strength to break a fall. These younger children have heavy heads, heightening their risk of a brain injury when they tumble over a shopping cart. If you are considering filing a premises liability or product liability lawsuit due to this situation don't hesitate to contact an attorney at the firm today to learn more. With the right attorney there to help you, you may be able to get the assistance that you need in your case!