The Danger of Shopping Carts for Children

Shopping carts are a staple of stores well beyond your typical food market. Besides being a good way to hold groceries or goods, it’s become a favorite with parents. The iconic seat can be a lifesaver for parents trying to shop with little ones in attendance. Although, the standard shopping cart child seat is almost anything but safe. Read on to see what you need to know to keep your child safe, and what options you have should your child have been hurt in an accident.

Clinical Pediatrics published a study in early 2015 that examined emergency room visit data in relation to shopping carts and stores. The study left no stone unturned and spanned over a decade back, beginning in 1990 and covering up until 2011. Parents won’t be too thrilled to with the results, and for good reason.

Over half a million children under the age of 15 were treated in the ER for related injuries. The most common injuries were head related, and the vast majority noted concussion from falls. Concussions have been in the eye of the media as more and more studies are released showing the negative impacts of a concussion. A concussion’s long term effects are still widely unknown, but the American Association for the Advancement of Science has found brain damage to be present decades later. It’s certainly way more than you bargained for on your grocery trip. While falls clearly lead the pack, shopping carts were also responsible for collision and entrapment injuries. Scarily enough, the statistics break down to an average shopping cart related injury every 22 minutes.

Keeping Kids Safe

Study authors are urging parents to learn about the dangers that lurk within the average store’s shopping cart. They urge parents to not only learn, but also to share their findings with friends and other parents. There is no nationwide standard for shopping cart seats, but some stores do take more precautionary methods than others. By understanding your risk, you can make a safer, more informed decision for your child’s safety. If a parent is in a situation where they need to use the seat, it’s recommended that you use the available safety buckles and always maintain at least one hand on your cart’s handles. Authors hope to see a safer shopping cart design in the future that offers a secure restraint system and a seat that’s closer to the floor.

Dealing with Injury Aftermath

If your child was injured due to a shopping cart incident in Florida, contact a personal injury attorney right away. Personal injury lawyers have extensive experience fighting cases just like these. They know the games that stores will play and are familiar with the insurance company’s tactics. A consultation with an attorney will shed light on what’s possible regarding compensation and justice.