Trampoline park injuries are on the rise, according to a new study published in Pediatrics. Researchers found that the number of children who had to go to the emergency room due to a trampoline park injury rose from under 600 in 2010 to nearly 7,000 in 2014. Some children suffer minor injuries such as ankle sprains, but others sustain far more serious injuries, including fractures, spinal cord damage, and head trauma. If your child is injured at a trampoline park, it’s important to know who you can hold liable for his injuries.
The Trampoline Park Owner
Property owners have a legal obligation under premises liability laws to keep their properties safe so guests do not injure themselves. Therefore, if a child is injured while at a trampoline park, the property owner could be held liable.
Property owners are typically held liable for trampoline injuries if the injuries occurred as a result of poorly maintained equipment. For example, an owner can be held liable if a child injuries himself on an old trampoline that clearly needed to be repaired. The owner’s failure to repair the trampoline would most likely be seen as negligence, which is why he would be liable.
If a child is injured because he was not being supervised, a property owner can also be held liable. For instance, let’s say the trampoline park employees are supposed to closely supervise small children, but fail to do so. If a child who is supposed to be under supervision injures himself, the trampoline park owner can be held responsible.
The Manufacturer of the Trampoline Park
Manufacturers must ensure the trampolines they produce and sell to trampoline parks are safe. If an injury occurs due to a defective trampoline, the manufacturer can be held liable for the victim’s injuries. For example, if the part that is designed to attach the trampoline mat to the frame is defective, the mat may detach while a child is jumping on it. This can lead to serious injuries, and the manufacturer would be liable for producing a defective product.
A Trampoline Park Guest
In some cases, another guest at the trampoline park could be held liable for the child’s injuries. This occurs when the child’s injury is a direct result of another guest’s negligence. For instance, a guest can be held liable if he intentionally pushes a child off of a trampoline and the child breaks his ankle.
Has your child been injured at a trampoline park? If so, contact Reisch Law Firm today. Our personal injury attorneys will immediately get to work to identify the liable parties so we can recover compensation on behalf of your child. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 303-291-0555 or filling out this online form.
