Trampolines – a Fun Activity or Too Much Risk?

With Christmas coming up, many children may be excited to see a trampoline from Santa Claus under their tree; or maybe as a family outing, families will choose to travel to a trampoline “park” for some fun together. No matter how fun having a trampoline is or visiting a trampoline park may be, it is important to realize the risks that are associated with this toy.

Bounce Houses/Trampoline Parks

A new and increasingly popular family activity has been the recently emerging trampoline parks/bounce houses. These are generally large warehouses that are filled with connected trampolines or a series of inflatable play sets of slides and obstacle courses.

Common Trampoline Injuries

A fun day on a trampoline could turn into a life-long nightmare in a split second. Every year, thousands of people are injured on trampolines nationwide. In 2009, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported as many as 98,000 trampoline-related injuries, with 31,000 of those leading to hospitalization. The majority of these injuries occur when more than one person is using the trampoline at the same time, and children under the age of 6 are at the highest risk of energy. The following are common injuries that occur as a result of trampoline use:

– Broken bones;
– Concussions or other head injuries;
– Sprains/strains;
– Bruises, scrapes, or cuts; and
– Head and neck injuries (serious ones which can lead to permanent paralysis and even death).

Common Causes of Trampoline Injuries

While it is obvious that trying tricky stunts on a trampoline could cause an injury, something as simple as jumping could also cause injury if proper safety steps were not taken to protect those that are using the trampoline. Some common causes of trampoline injuries are:

– Landing wrong while jumping;
– Landing wrong while doing tricks such as flipping or somersaults;
– Attempting riskier stunts;
– Striking/being struck by another person;
– Falling or jumping off of the trampoline; and
– Landing on the springs or frame.

Trampoline Safety

If you or your family has been a victim of trampoline accident, negligence by the owner of the toy may have been the cause if certain safety steps were not taken in order to protect you and/or your family. The following are a few examples of safety tips that may help to prove negligence if they were not followed:

– Was there a cover with a zipper and/or netting that was around the trampoline?
– Were springs, hooks, and frames covered with pads?
– Was the trampoline closed when it was not being used or the owner was not used?
– Was the owner of the trampoline supervising the use of the trampoline while someone was on it?
– Was the owner monitoring the type of activity that was taking place on the trampoline? Were they advising against somersaults or other risky activities?
– Is the trampoline in a safe area? Is it on level ground? Is it near trees, structures, or anything else that could pose a threat?

Don’t Let Trampoline Fun Become a Nightmare

While jumping on a trampoline or a family outing to a bounce house may be seem like a safe and fun activity to do with others, it is important to realize the risk of the activity and to make sure that you and your family are safe. Were you or your child injured while jumping on another’s trampoline or at a bounce house due to the owners negligence? Did the owner of the trampoline not take proper steps to insure the safety of those using the trampoline? If so, you may be able to prove negligence on the owners and seek monetary compensation for the injuries caused. Call the Fort Lauderdale trampoline attorneys at Boone & Davis and let us fight for the rights and compensation that you deserve.