Who Is Liable for a Trampoline Park Accident?
Indoor trampoline parks are a wildly popular attraction for kids of all ages. They rapidly became a top destination for birthday parties, family days, and summer camp outings as they spread across the country. Of course, as any orthopedic surgeon is likely to tell you, there are significant risks that come with indoor trampoline parks.
If your child has been injured while playing at an indoor trampoline park, you may have been told you have no options. You may have been told that you and you alone are responsible for your child’s medical bills. However, if a negligent party caused your child’s injuries, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t get pushed around by an overzealous manager or trampoline park owner. The team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri brings a wealth of premises liability experiences to every single case, and we’re here to fight for you and your child. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 855-WINNING (946-6464).
Lurking Threats at Trampoline Parks
While injuries can happen on any trampoline, indoor trampoline parks appear to be significantly more dangerous than standard home trampolines. Research indicates that kids are significantly more likely to injure their legs and suffer injuries requiring surgery at a trampoline park than at home. The reason for this is unclear, but it may be due to structural differences in trampolines at parks. Kids may also be more likely to be injured by an older or more aggressive kid at a trampoline park.
Children have suffered a wide range of injuries at trampoline parks. These injuries include broken bones, concussions, cuts, and traumatic brain injuries. Although experts have recommended a variety of safety recommendations, trampoline parks have yet to enact most of them.
Potential Liable Parties
As a parent, you may wonder: who’s liable if your child gets injured at a trampoline park? This falls under the umbrella of premises liability law. Property owners and business owners are obligated to take reasonable steps to ensure visitors’ and clients’ safety, and that includes visitors and clients of trampoline parks.
This doesn’t mean that a trampoline park owner is automatically liable if a child becomes injured. Parties who may be liable include:
- The park owner
- The owner of the building rented out to the trampoline park business
- The manufacturer of the trampoline or any of its components
- Other guests using the trampoline park
Furthermore, it may turn out that no one is liable. If an accident is just an accident caused by an inexperienced child using equipment that is otherwise reasonably safe, it may simply be a case of bad luck.
What About That Waiver You Signed?
This is where most parents give up on seeking compensation. They recall the waiver they signed before bringing their child into the trampoline park and assume that this means they cannot sue. A waiver does not mean that the trampoline park owner or its employees do not have to take reasonable steps to protect clients’ safety. If someone was negligent, they can still be held accountable for their error in judgment. Consider these scenarios, which all may warrant a claim against a liable party:
- Trampoline park owner fails to ensure that mounting equipment is properly installed, causing trampolines to collapse and hurt clients
- Park employees do not uphold center rules that forbid older children from doing backward jumps or playing in a toddler area, and a young child is subsequently injured
- Employees knowingly fill the space beyond capacity, not wanting to turn away angry guests
- The manufacturer of the trampoline failed to perform basic safety checks before selling the equipment
- An adult or teenager knowingly and intentionally violated the rules of the center in a way that caused a child to be injured
Your Next Steps: After a family member or loved one is injured at an indoor trampoline park, contact a Southern California premises liability attorney as soon as possible. You may be able to demand compensation from the park owner, the property owner, the manufacturer of the trampoline, or a reckless patron. However, you’ll need to be able to prove your case, and that is much easier with the help of an aggressive personal injury attorney.
Choose Wisely—Pick DeWitt Algorri & Algorri for Your Premises Liability Claim
We know how devastating a trampoline park injury can be to a child and their family. Don’t let the weight of medical bills, long-term treatment needs, and other expenses fall squarely on your shoulders. Let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us online now or call us at 855-WINNING (946-6464) to find out how we can help.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
