Aug 4, 2009 7:35 pm US/Eastern
NYC Sues Family Of Girl Burned On Playground Mat
Isabella Kern Had Skin On Bare Feet Literally Melt Off Before Her Eyes; Now City Is Calling Her Grandmother Negligent
Reporting
Cindy Hsu
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Rubber mats at playgrounds can rise to dangerous levels on hot days, putting your child's feet at risk of being severely burned.
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"Any contact with the surface that's over 120 degrees can burn the skin in a matter of minutes. Once you approach 140 degrees it can be a matter of seconds," says Dr. Adam Vella of Mt. Sinai Hospital.
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Will Casson suffered burns to his feet after jumping onto a rubber safety mat.
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A little girl from Queens spent a week in the hospital, after severely burning her feet at a New York City playground.
So, why is the city suing her family?
Isabella Kern is 4 years old, and once again feels comfortable playing at Annandale Park in Forest Hills. When she was 1 ½ years old she was at the park with her grandmother, took off her shoes to play in the sprinkler and when she ran toward the slides her bare feet touched the black rubber matting.
"As soon as she had put her feet on this mat, ultimately the second that her feet had touched that ground it immediately melted the skin on her feet," said Chris Kern, Isabella's father.
Isabella spent five days at the Cornell burn unit and couldn't walk for nine days. Her parents are concerned about other kids getting burned on these mats that can reach temperatures of more than 160 degrees, so they sued the city.
Last month, the city responded by suing Isabella's grandmother, claiming it was her negligence that caused the injuries.
The family couldn't believe it.
"I was kind of surprised to see the response was to countersue a little old lady who quite simply was just enjoying a day in the park with her granddaughter," Chris Kern said.
The Parks Department said "signs are posted at playgrounds throughout the city reminding park patrons to wear shoes and appropriate clothing when it gets hot."
The Kerns, however, said there were no such sign in place before Isabella was burned. But after their complaint, one went up with a warning about the dangers of bare feet added to the bottom.
Chris Kern said several children have been burned on the rubber mats, and it's time for the city to make a change.
With the lawsuits pending, the city would not comment.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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