Personal injury claims closing Playcentres

LuasSimon

https://m.independent.ie/breaking-news/irish-news/were-absolutely-heartbroken-dozens-of-jobs-lost-as-play-centres-forced-to-close-over-300pc-insurance-hike-37957163.html

Where will those so inclined go to slip or hurt their finger now to get a handy 15 Grand ? The old reliable I suppose , trip on a kerb etc .

_Brian

Local one here closed recently for same reason. Six jobs lost.

Wheeliebin30

We like to think we’re a great nation.

But we’re full of scammers, chancers, thieves, and in general very selfish people.

JMNolan

Rest assured OP, the only thing we'll do about this is to vote the same shower of fools into the Dáil again to ensure nothing changes

mrhappy42

A no fault scheme is doable. When we were in NZ I saw it up close and it changes everything. Kids can climb a tree at a birthday party or use school playgrounds after school.

https://www.acc.co.nz/about-us/who-we-are/what-we-do/

Comes down to one thing - the legal profession.

Guy:Incognito

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

We like to think we’re a great nation.

But we’re full of scammers, chancers, thieves, and in general very selfish people.

Yeah but it only counts as bad if a politician does it. Normal day to day scamming and cheating is ok cos it's just "small" stuff

Pinch Flat

A consequence of the compo culture that’s a cancer in this country

Wanderer78

Wheeliebin30 wrote:

But we’re full of scammers, chancers, thieves, and in general very selfish people.

Sounds like we re just like any normal country then

F34

Too many vested interests keeping the claims culture alive here. Insurance companies and the legal profession equally to blame and funnily enough both have very strong lobbyists to maintain the status quo.

One eyed Jack

"We're a vital resource for the area and it's a safe environment for kids to come and have fun in.

...

People rely on play centres and the government just doesn't seem to care."


One would be forgiven for thinking from the way she’s talking that they’re running a non-profit charity, not a business. They’re running a business, and an incredibly profitable one at that, and it’s because these places aren’t safe for children that their insurance is skyrocketing in recent years - precisely because they’re considered a greater risk to provide insurance for than before, because of the number of incidents that happen on their premises.

Rising insurance costs would be an issue for any business, not just the play centre industry, which if they all closed down in the morning, parents would simply find some other way to occupy and entertain their children.

s7ryf3925pivug

F34 wrote: »

Too many vested interests keeping the claims culture alive here. Insurance companies and the legal profession equally to blame and funnily enough both have very strong lobbyists to maintain the status quo.

Insurance companies don't benefit from lots of claims. The opposite would be in their interest.

Radharc na Sleibhte

One eyed Jack wrote: »

"We're a vital resource for the area and it's a safe environment for kids to come and have fun in.

...

People rely on play centres and the government just doesn't seem to care."


One would be forgiven for thinking from the way she’s talking that they’re running a non-profit charity, not a business. They’re running a business, and an incredibly profitable one at that, and it’s because these places aren’t safe for children that their insurance is skyrocketing in recent years - precisely because they’re considered a greater risk to provide insurance for than before, because of the number of incidents that happen on their premises.

Rising insurance costs would be an issue for any business, not just the play centre industry, which if they all closed down in the morning, parents would simply find some other way to occupy and entertain their children.

You are not a business person and you have no kids...

Crèches too. Our local one was closed by an insurance hike resulting from a claim. If the accident had happened at home, the kid would have been picked up, brushed off, given some chocolate and that’d be the end of it. But because it happened in a crèche a couple of lawyers and the parents make a buck and the end result is crèche closed, jobs lost and now fewer crèche places in the area.

theteal

I don't understand. The whole point of those places is for the little 'uns (and me!) to barrel around and burn off energy. A few knocks and bruises is expected, no? Who claims for these things???

The article mentions the claim in the Carlow place was an adult. Any details available on that? Cup of tea too hot???

Phileas Frog

Wheeliebin30 wrote: »

We like to think we’re a great nation.

But we’re full of scammers, chancers, thieves, and in general very selfish people.

But it's their culture!

s7ryf3925pivug

One eyed Jack wrote: »

"We're a vital resource for the area and it's a safe environment for kids to come and have fun in.

...

People rely on play centres and the government just doesn't seem to care."


One would be forgiven for thinking from the way she’s talking that they’re running a non-profit charity, not a business. They’re running a business, and an incredibly profitable one at that, and it’s because these places aren’t safe for children that their insurance is skyrocketing in recent years - precisely because they’re considered a greater risk to provide insurance for than before, because of the number of incidents that happen on their premises.

Rising insurance costs would be an issue for any business, not just the play centre industry, which if they all closed down in the morning, parents would simply find some other way to occupy and entertain their children.

It affects non-profit community organizations too though. My wife set up a parent and baby group. Had to pay a significant amount for insurance up front, then hope people engage and contribute enough to pay it off over the year, after paying for the weekly community hall rental.

One eyed Jack

Radharc na Sleibhte wrote: »

You are not a business person and you have no kids...

Are you telling me, or asking me?


You’d be incorrect on both counts if you were telling me.

Del2005

One eyed Jack wrote: »

"We're a vital resource for the area and it's a safe environment for kids to come and have fun in.

...

People rely on play centres and the government just doesn't seem to care."


One would be forgiven for thinking from the way she’s talking that they’re running a non-profit charity, not a business. They’re running a business, and an incredibly profitable one at that, and it’s because these places aren’t safe for children that their insurance is skyrocketing in recent years - precisely because they’re considered a greater risk to provide insurance for than before, because of the number of incidents that happen on their premises.

Rising insurance costs would be an issue for any business, not just the play centre industry, which if they all closed down in the morning, parents would simply find some other way to occupy and entertain their children.

Kids play and if you make something so that it's 100% safe then kids won't play there, they like a bit fun. So we either except that people will get minor injuries in play centres and have fit active healthy kids or go with the current ligation system where we have obese children with no where to play.

Radharc na Sleibhte

One eyed Jack wrote: »

Are you telling me, or asking me?


You’d be incorrect on both counts if you were telling me.

Somehow i doubt it. You certainly know very little about both.

JMNolan

One eyed Jack wrote: »

Are you telling me, or asking me?


You’d be incorrect on both counts if you were telling me.

No one believes you

F34

Jaiden Dazzling Barley wrote: »

Insurance companies don't benefit from lots of claims. The opposite would be in their interest.

No but the amounts they are getting to raise premiums by are feeding into even bigger profits for them.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/fbd-to-double-dividend-after-strong-2018-1.3807974%3fmode=amp

Radharc na Sleibhte

Del2005 wrote: »

Kids play and if you make something so that it's 100% safe then kids won't play there, they like a bit fun. So we either except that people will get minor injuries in play centres and have fit active healthy kids or go with the current ligation system where we have obese children with no where to play.

For every rational speaking and thinking person, theres somebody else who likes to tear their neighbour down and stop people enjoying themselves.

The Bishop Basher

One eyed Jack wrote: »

it’s because these places aren’t safe for children that their insurance is skyrocketing in recent years

You are having a laugh..

I know of 2 cases where the parents received massive payouts.

In one case the child put his arm through a window and lacerated it. His fault. Not the school or the window.

In the second case the child fell while running at playtime and chipped a baby tooth as many of us did when we were children.

Both received very significant payouts and one family has recently returned from their "trip of a lifetime to Florida" on the proceeds.

Very proud about it they were too.

We can't rely on the government or the legal and insurance industries to sort this because they won't bite off the hand that feeds them.

The less greedy among us do need to start treating these people like the social pariah's they are though.

They're just leeches feeding off the rest of us.

Greedy Scum.

One eyed Jack

Jaiden Dazzling Barley wrote: »

It affects non-profit community organizations too though. My wife set up a parent and baby group. Had to pay a significant amount for insurance up front, then hope people engage and contribute enough to pay it off over the year, after paying for the weekly community hall rental.

It does, absolutely, but what we’re talking about here are the play centres having to wrap up their businesses because they are no longer a viable business due to rising insurance costs, which arise out of the fact that children are increasingly at risk, a fact borne out by the rise in insurance claims. The days of picking the child up, kissing their scuffed knee or cut finger and telling them run along, are long gone, especially when a play centre apparently designed with children’s safety in mind is the last place one would expect a child could be injured.

King of Kings

One eyed Jack wrote: »

"We're a vital resource for the area and it's a safe environment for kids to come and have fun in.

...

People rely on play centres and the government just doesn't seem to care."


One would be forgiven for thinking from the way she’s talking that they’re running a non-profit charity, not a business. They’re running a business, and an incredibly profitable one at that, and it’s because these places aren’t safe for children that their insurance is skyrocketing in recent years - precisely because they’re considered a greater risk to provide insurance for than before, because of the number of incidents that happen on their premises.

Rising insurance costs would be an issue for any business, not just the play centre industry, which if they all closed down in the morning, parents would simply find some other way to occupy and entertain their children.

You are talking out your hole.
It cant be profitable as you say given they are closing due to costs. Your statment makes no sense.

Granted I cant vouch for all play centres but the ones ive been in were fine. I've been in quite a few.

The issue here is that accidents happen esp with kids but for some reason a lot of accidents seem to result in not just finiancial rewards but significants rewards.

Sure these places are businesses but they offer great services to the community.

If you cant see that there is something wrong with the current situation...then you are either blind or just a crank on a wind-up.

One eyed Jack

Rennaws wrote: »

You are having a laugh..

I know of 2 cases where the parents received massive payouts.

In one case the child put his arm through a window and lacerated it. His fault. Not the school or the window.

In the second case the child fell while running at playtime and chipped a baby tooth as many of us did when we were children.

Both received very significant payouts and one family has recently returned from their "trip of a lifetime to Florida" on the proceeds.

Very proud about it they were too.

We can't rely on the government or the legal and insurance industries to sort this because they won't bite off the hand that feeds them.

The less greedy among us do need to start treating these people like the social pariah's they are though.

They're just leeches feeding off the rest of us.

Greedy Scum.

I’m not having a laugh at all. One would expect that precautions to ensure children’s safety would be of paramount importance to every parent when they entrust the care of their children in someone else’s hands. If the school, or a business cannot do that, then I for one wouldn’t have any issue with them being shut down, no matter how many jobs were lost. If they don’t want to face high insurance costs as a result of insurance claims, the onus is on the owners of the business or the management of the school to ensure the safety of the children in their care.

Franz Von Peppercorn

One eyed Jack wrote: »

It does, absolutely, but what we’re talking about here are the play centres having to wrap up their businesses because they are no longer a viable business due to rising insurance costs, which arise out of the fact that children are increasingly at risk, a fact borne out by the rise in insurance claims. The days of picking the child up, kissing their scuffed knee or cut finger and telling them run along, are long gone, especially when a play centre apparently designed with children’s safety in mind is the last place one would expect a child could be injured.

Unless you wrap children in cotton wool they will injure themselves somehow, when at play.

One eyed Jack

One eyed Jack wrote: »

which arise out of the fact that children are increasingly at risk, a fact borne out by the rise in insurance claims.

Except a rise in insurance claims does not follow that children are increasingly at risk. So your claim the latter part of this quote above supports the assertion in the first part is simply false.

There are plenty of ways the quantity of insurance claims can go up _without_ a rise in risk or incidents. Hell you could get a rise in claims even with a _decrease_ in both.

So no - a rise in one does not automatically imply a rise in the other.

Radharc na Sleibhte

F34 wrote: »

No but the amounts they are getting to raise premiums by are feeding into even bigger profits for them.

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/business/financial-services/fbd-to-double-dividend-after-strong-2018-1.3807974%3fmode=amp

Precisely. That NZ system above looks like a great idea on the face of it. Why dont they regulate it like electricity etc. If they want to increase price, let them apply and prove they need it. Two centres close to us closed down. I know one of the owners very well and i am worried about her. She has young kids, a mortgage and everything else. She was just getting by. Now....? Nothing. She couldnt get insurance even though she had no claims. Her insurer pulled out of the market.

Yet somebody above reckons they were incredibly profitable?
Yeah, they are all closing even though theyre incredibly profitable.

s7ryf3925pivug

One eyed Jack wrote: »

It does, absolutely, but what we’re talking about here are the play centres having to wrap up their businesses because they are no longer a viable business due to rising insurance costs, which arise out of the fact that children are increasingly at risk, a fact borne out by the rise in insurance claims. The days of picking the child up, kissing their scuffed knee or cut finger and telling them run along, are long gone, especially when a play centre apparently designed with children’s safety in mind is the last place one would expect a child could be injured.

If the place is at fault then they should be held accountable. The thing is that it's common for large payouts to be awarded where there isn't fault, and excessive amounts for minor injuries. The cost of contesting them is great as well.

I'm not a fan of those pay centres because they seem to result in a lot of kids making each other sick. Strangling businesses isn't good though. Small business is generally a good thing.

There's an abbey near me that has large, very scenic grounds, open to the public. They have warned they might need to close them because of the number of claims being made - if I go for a walk in the woods and trip on a branch then that's on me. It's not on the owner of the woods, but that's the sort of thing they are facing.

The Bishop Basher

One eyed Jack wrote: »

One would expect that precautions to ensure children’s safety would be of paramount importance to every parent when they entrust the care of their children in someone else’s hands.

They already are.

They're also paramount to the business's because as we know, all it takes is one claim to shut them down.

But kids will still find ways to hurt themselves and greedy parents will continue to see these as opportunities to get some free cash.

You clearly know nothing about the childcare sector if you think these business's don't take this seriously.