Brooklyn Has More Playground Lawsuits than Any Other Borough

Claimstat map by NYC. Red dot = 5+ claims.

 New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a "ClaimStat Alert" on Sunday focusing on the rise in playground-related personal injury claims against the city.

Comptroller Stringer’s analysis found that from FY05-FY14, there were 577 playground-related personal injury claims filed against NYC.

Brooklyn had by far the most claims (seen on the map aabove) filed during this time period -- 209 -- dwarfing Manhattan (123), the Bronx (111), Queens (111), and Staten Island (23).

Stroud and Slope Park Playground in Brooklyn had 6 claims; Sunset Park had 5.

Claims have risen 53 percent over the last ten years, from a 45 claims in FY05 to 69 claims in FY14. The city has paid out a total of $20,644,448 over the ten year period studied.

Stringer wrotee a letter asking the Department of Parks to bring playground surfaces and equipment into a state of good repair.


Common claims include:

- Improper surfacing (including missing or defecting matting), cracked or broken surfaces, holes in the ground, and rubber mats that burn too hot in summer months.

- Insufficient maintenance and defective equipment, such as swings and slides;

- Improper playground design; and

- Protruding nails and/or debris

Full ClaimStat Alert 

Interactive map


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