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Trampoline parks are often marketed as family-friendly entertainment venues where little ones can get their energy out and seek refuge on a rainy or extremely hot day. These parks have multiple trampolines and sometimes have a foam pit for jumpers. But what may start as a fun family outing or birthday celebration can end with a child getting hurt. You may be surprised to learn that children get hurt at trampoline parks more often than you would think. How Can Children Get Hurt at a Trampoline Park?
According to a recent study conducted by the AAP, a child is injured every 1,000 hours at trampoline parks. In Texas, a Fort Worth Star-Telegram investigation found 500 reports of injuries at 21 trampoline parks in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex over a seven-year period.
Common child injuries at trampoline parks include:
- Broken bones and teeth
- Concussions
- Deep lacerations
- Elbow and shoulder dislocations
- Fractures of the head, ribs, wrist, and spine
- Head and neck injuries
- Sprains of the ankle or neck
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Even children not jumping on trampolines at these parks are at risk of injury. The Mayo Clinic cited an instance where a child bounced off a trampoline and fell on a girl watching her friends from the sidelines. The girl broke her arm.
Why Do Children Get Hurt at Trampoline Parks?
- Collisions. Because multiple trampolines can face the same mat, children who are following the one-person-per-trampoline rule can still jump onto a mat and collide with a child doing the same thing at the same time.
- Lack of employees. A lack of employees at a trampoline park can lead to more injuries at the facility. Like lifeguards, these employees are meant to look out for the safety of the children playing. However, understaffing means less oversight and enforcement of rules or safety protocols meant to keep children safe.
- Size differences. If you think about a linebacker running into a quarterback, you know the size difference is going to affect the quarterback in some potentially harmful ways. Now, think about the fact that people of all ages are allowed to jump in the same areas of a trampoline park. A teenager or adult accidentally jumping on or landing on top of a young child can cause a severe injury.
Does Signing a Waiver at a Trampoline Park Mean We Can’t Sue or Take Legal Action?
While most trampoline parks require you to sign a waiver, taking legal action to hold the park accountable for your child’s injury is still possible. In Texas courts, judges have been favorable to minors who are harmed even with a waiver signed. As reported by WFAA, there is even precedent for child injuries at trampoline parks after a teenager suffered a traumatic brain injury at a trampoline park in Houston.
Each case is unique, so contact our knowledgeable child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm for a free case evaluation by calling 214-699-4409 or emailing us at [email protected]. This is a great first step to learn more about your family’s options when seeking legal action against a trampoline park.
Help Your Child After an Injury at a Trampoline Park with The Button Law Firm
If your child was injured at a trampoline park, our team of experienced and compassionate child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm can help. We’re dedicated to advocating for you and your family. We are ready to listen and fight for your family to get justice and help you move forward. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Get a free case evaluation by calling us at 214-699-4409, emailing us at [email protected], or filling out a contact form.
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