Trampoline Park Injuries in Jacksonville
Parents love to take their kids to the trampoline parks so they can exert energy while having fun. But as trampoline parks are rising in popularity across the United States, so are injuries resulting from this booming industry. According to CBS News, emergency room visits due to trampoline park injuries has risen from 2,500 in 2013 to 18,000 in 2017.
Doctors say the types of injuries they see compare with the high velocity type of trauma caused by a motor vehicle crash at 90 miles per hour that rolls or when a victim is thrown off a motorcycle and thrown 100 feet. However, the release form that parents sign to let their child jump can limit the business’ liability if their child is injured.
Common Trampoline Park Injuries Include:
- Broken bones
- Complex fractures
- Strains and sprains
- Whiplash
- Back injuries
- Brain injuries
- Torn ligaments
5 Tips to Prevent Trampoline Injuries:
In these recreational facilities, dozens of trampolines are connected with steel cables covered with thin padding. This spring-loaded area can lead to many dangers if the jumpers are not careful. As people jump on the connected trampolines, waves of energy are radiated in different directions. With all of the energy spreading throughout the wall-to-wall trampolines, the impact can lead to high-impact collisions between jumpers or detrimental injuries.
Here are 5 tips to prevent injuries at trampoline parks:
- Avoid the “double bounce”- A “double bounce” sends jumpers higher than usual, with little to no control, due to a magnified bounce caused by another jumper. This can lead to collisions between jumpers or cause a child to fall off the trampoline.
- Take turns- Two out of three trampoline injuries occur when there are more than two children jumping at the same time. By limiting the number of children on a trampoline at one time, the risk of injury significantly decreases.
- Refrain from doing flips or somersaults- Unless your child is a skilled gymnast, do not let them attempt tricks that can be harmful to them or others around them. Caution your children to stick to their abilities and stay away from dangerous tricks.
- Don’t mix ages- Keep the younger kids and older kids separate to maintain balance and control while jumping. Younger children are more susceptible to injuries, but older children may sustain more severe injuries.
- Inspect the equipment- Make sure that the padding and netting surrounding the trampolines is sufficient. If you feel uneasy about the trampoline park’s safety measures, trust your instincts and take your children elsewhere.
What Do I Do If My Child Is Injured At A Trampoline Park?
More often than not, trampoline park waivers contain clauses that waive your right to recover any type of compensation associated with injuries sustained while jumping. However, the waivers usually only address injuries due to the risks of the activity at hand. The waiver may not include waving the costs of injuries due to negligent acts of the operator. In order to file a claim against a trampoline park, you must prove 4 things:
- Duty: The trampoline park had a duty to provide a safe experience for your child
- Breach of duty: The trampoline park failed to provide that safe experience for your child
- Causation: Due to the trampoline park’s breach of duty, your child was injured
- Damages: The injuries your child sustained resulted in actual damages
Not only can you file a claim against the operator of the trampoline park for negligence, you may also be able to do so against the manufacturer of the trampolines. If the injury occurs due to improper maintenance or supervision, the operator/owner of the trampoline park can be held liable. If the injuries were a result of faulty equipment, the manufacturer of the trampolines can be held liable.
Coker Law Is On Your Side
If you, your child, or someone you know has been injured at a trampoline park, you might have a case. Know what to look for when choosing an attorney. When an injury occurs, it’s important to have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Our Coker Law attorneys will fight for you to receive the justice you deserve. If you or your child was hurt in a trampoline park injury, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries, even if you signed a waiver. Click here or call (904) 356-6071 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with an attorney.
