Playgrounds throughout the nation are used regularly by children looking to pass time and get rid of pent-up energy. As is the case with nearly all products used by children, there is an expectation that the product will be safe for a child and free from defects.

While parents are likely sighing with relief, children throughout the country, including the state of Pennsylvania, are likely bummed out about the recent recall of a playground slide. The recall of the slide, known as the Slalom Glider, was announced by the manufacturer, Landscape Structures Inc. and the Consumer Product Safety Commission, earlier this month.

The main issue behind the recall of the slide appears to be the design's lack of any type of platform for a child to stand upon after climbing the ladder. Multiple children have reportedly fallen from the slide as a result of the absence of the platform. According to the CPSC, there have been 16 reports of injuries occurring to children under the age of 8 who have fallen. In addition to bruises, fractures to legs and arms were reported. One child also sustained a broken collar bone.

The slides were available for purchase from January 2006, through the end of 2011. Anyone in possession of a Slalom Glider is being advised to remove the slide.

Because the injuries the children sustained were reportedly due to the apparently defective design of the slide, parents of the injured children may decide to seek financial compensation for the injuries their children sustained. In cases such as this, a products liability lawsuit may be filed.

Source: USA Today, "Children's slides recalled after falls injure 16," The Associated Press, Feb. 17, 2012