Spinal injury risk with lap belts revealedRSS Feed

Children wearing a lap belt instead of using a full harness or child seat are at an increased risk of suffering a serious spinal injury, according to new research.

The study published in the Irish Medical Journal shows children could be three and a half times more likely to suffer a spinal injury if only a lap belt is used as a means of restraint.

In addition, there may also be a heightened risk of brain injury, with chances of serious head trauma increased fourfold.

Matthew Dixon from specialist injury solicitors Serious Law said the obvious answer is to put children in safety seats until they reach the stage when a standard seat belt can be used.

"If the child is too big for a child seat but still not quite big enough to use a normal safety belt, then a booster cushion is the simplest and cheapest way to make sure they are restrained safely in the car," he added.

The news comes after it was reported that a new safety jacket fitted with an airbag could be used to reduce the risk of a spinal cord injury for motorcyclists.

News from Serious Law, specialist spinal injury lawyers

Posted by Paul Breen
 

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