Family of boy who burned feet at Ontario splash pad seeking compensation

WATCH ABOVE: The family of a little Brampton boy whose feet were burned when he stepped on metal doors near a splash pad earlier this summer is pursuing legal action. As Caryn Lieberman reports, the family is also sending out a message to other towns and regions with splash pads.

TORONTO — The family of a Brampton toddler who burned his feet after stepping on a hot metal grate at a splash pad has hired a Toronto lawyer as they seek financial compensation for his injuries.

On July 27, one-year-old Greyson Pelvin was visiting the Gellert Community Park splash pad in Georgetown, Ont. with his mother, two siblings and friends during sweltering temperatures.

The toddler wandered from the splash pad and stepped on scalding hot ground-level metal doors that protect the controls for the splash pad water jets. He suffered second-degree burns to his feet and a minor burn to one of his hands.

“This was an inherent danger at this splash pad,” said personal injury lawyer Adam Halioua.

“There was a responsibility to take greater precautions to ensure the safety of all people attending the splash pad, particularly young children.”

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Halioua won’t say how much the family is seeking in compensation at this time, as much of that will depend on the extent of the toddler’s injuries and how long he will suffer.

His father posted pictures on Facebook shortly after the incident with a warning to other parents to watch out for similar grates at local splash pads.

The child was treated at The Hospital for Sick Children and Halioua said it is his understanding that doctors are still monitoring Greyson’s feet as they continue to heal.

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“The little guy is getting better,” said. Halioua.  “He’s still in pain.”

Halioua says the Pelvin family is claiming against the town of Halton Hills because the splash pad was in the jurisdiction of the township and “they have responsibility for it.”

He added that the legal action is only the beginning of his firm’s investigation into the incident and it is possible other parties will be named in the lawsuit if they were involved in the design of the splash pad, which was opened 15 years ago.

Halioua also said the family hopes that other towns and regions in Ontario take note of what happened in Georgetown and make appropriate changes before another child is injured.

“These things can be dangerous and we have to make sure they’re properly protected,” he said. “To protect the most innocent people in our society — little children who are going to a splash pad.”