Over the last couple of years, there have been more than dozen premises liability lawsuits filed against certain trampoline parks by plaintiffs contending that owners are creating an unsafe environment that places patrons at risk of personal injury. Allegations have ranged from claims that facilities that are dangerously maintained and poorly designed to inadequate supervision. Such issues are important to look at seeing as the trampoline park industry continues to grow. In Massachusetts, our Boston premises liability lawyers represent clients with injury claims against venue owners whose negligence played a role in causing the injury/death of a patron on that property. Do not hesitate to contact Altman & Altman LLP to request your free case evaluation.
While trampoline park owners are maintaining that trampoline use causes less injuries than most sports (trampoline use has been touted as an aerobic workout that helps develop coordination and balance) not everyone is convinced. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 92,159 trampoline-linked injuries that were treated in hospital ERS in 2010. Meantime, in 2006, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that trampolines shouldn’t be used at home, during PE classes, or in outdoor playgrounds. Also, earlier this year, the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons cautioned that trampolines, while “fun” for all ages, comes with a high injury risk especially when there is more than one person jumping at a time. It too is recommending against home or outdoor playground use.
Common causes of trampoline injuries:
• Colliding with another jumper • A bad landing • Falling off the trampoline • Landing on the trampoline’s frames or springs
One trampoline injury lawsuit filed against a facility in Washington State is seeking damages for a 17-year-old’s spinal cord injury that has left him partially paralyzed. Two other lawsuits, filed in Illinois, blame double-jumping (involving more than one jumper on the trampoline at the time), inadequate supervision, and failure to enforce rules prohibiting more than one person at a time from using the trampoline-as the cause of leg fractures sustained by both a boy, 9, and a girl, 5.
When there are activities taking place on someone’s property, it is usually the premise owner’s responsibility to make sure there are adequate safety measures and procedures in place to prevent Boston personal injury or wrongful. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and people can get hurt.
Lawsuits ignite debate over trampoline park safety, CNN, July 27, 2012
Trampoline Safety, CPSC (PDF)
Trampolines and Trampoline Safety, American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
More Blog Posts:
Investigators Look at Pool Fence in Westborough Drowning Death, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, May 16, 2012
Newton, Massachusetts Premises Liability Lawsuit Over Falling Tree Branch Accident Can Proceed, Rules SJC, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, May 8, 2012
Chemicals in school supplies may pose health risk for children, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, August 31, 2012