Injuries at trampoline parks can lead to lifelong consequences. While families love trampoline parks to entertain their kids, there is a hidden cost behind the bouncing fun. If you or your child have been injured at a trampoline park, you need to know important information about your legal rights.
Trampoline Park Injury Risks
Researchers studying trampoline park injuries have identified tens of thousands of children injured at these popular facilities since they became popular in the early 2000s. Parents may view trampolining as a fun and family-friendly activity, but trampolines pose significant injury risks to experienced and inexperienced jumpers alike. Examples of common trampoline park injuries include everything from minor injuries such as small cuts and lacerations to injuries requiring significant medical attention, including:
- Broken bones
- Sprained ankles and wrists
- Pinching injuries or “rug burn”
- Ligament damage
- Shoulder dislocation
- Eye injuries
- Head injuries, such as concussions and head lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Loss of consciousness
- Death
While trampolines seem fun, bouncing high in the air and jumping around a warehouse pose major risks. These facilities may have serious safety lapses that aren’t obvious to watchful parents. For example, a trampoline park may have areas of exposed concrete near trampolines, leading to the risk of injuries if a child or adult bounces outside the netting. Busy trampoline parks may fall into disrepair, with holes in the netting or damaged trampoline surface. There may be other hidden hazards, such as slippery access points to ball pits, improperly tied-down ropes, or unsupervised children in potentially dangerous situations.
First Steps After a Trampoline Park Injury
When you or a family member has suffered an injury at a trampoline park, you might want to get medical help and then move on. But if the injury is serious, this could be a costly mistake. You or your family member might end up with lifelong medical bills related to the trampoline park accident, and no recourse. How can you get help? It’s worth seeking a consultation with a personal injury lawyer.
We recommend reaching out to a lawyer for a free consultation as soon as possible after your injury. Acting quickly allows your lawyer to investigate the accident while important information is fresh. For example, your lawyer may need to request security videos from the trampoline facility or question witnesses present when the accident occurred. Additionally, in Texas, you have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. It’s better to seek legal advice sooner rather than later to learn about your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover compensation for a trampoline park injury?
If the trampoline facility was unsafe when you were injured or if park staff acted negligently, you could have the right to recover compensation from the trampoline park for your injury. You may recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future medical care, and other possible damages. Your rights may vary based on the individual facts of your case and how your injury took place. That’s why we recommend speaking to a lawyer to receive personalized advice.
Could other parents or children at a trampoline park have liability for my child’s injury?
Maybe. Again, the answer to this question varies greatly depending on how your child got injured, the safety precautions at the trampoline park, and many other factors. Please speak to a lawyer before taking any further action. Your child may have the right to seek compensation from someone involved in the accident.
Can I sue for damages on behalf of my injured child?
In Texas, your child has the right to sue for damages after they turn 18. In the meantime, the statute of limitations (the time limit to file a lawsuit) does not begin to run. After your child turns 18, they have 2 years to file a lawsuit.
If you need help with medical bills now and can’t wait until your minor child turns 18, you can sue on behalf of your child. Speak to a lawyer about how to pursue this kind of legal claim.
We’re First to Fight for You in Trampoline Park Accidents
Do you need advice about legal rights after you or your child suffered a serious trampoline park injury? At Allen & Nunnally, we have a steadfast commitment to client service. Injured Texans trust us to fight for the compensation they deserve. We never stop working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients’ cases. To schedule a consultation with one of our Houston-based attorneys, call (713) 955-2217, use our convenient Contact Form, or email us at info@allen-nunnally.com.