For a very long time, trampolines have been a favorite pastime for people all across America. Kids and adults alike enjoy going out into the backyard to bounce around on the trampoline, do flips, and play jumping games with friends and neighbors. Now, trampolines are not just an outside activity. Indoor trampoline parks have been popping up everywhere. Here in Florida, these indoor parks are a popular attraction to escape the heat and blazing sun. While these parks have become a popular attraction, that popularity is not without some safety concerns. Studies have shown that there has been an increase in injuries associated with trampoline parks.
The number of trampoline parks in Florida has jumped from around 40 parks to 280 in recent years. Nationwide, there are now approximately 600 indoor trampoline parks. Each of these parks holds the potential for serious injuries, however. There have been more and more reports of children, and even adults, being injured while playing on the trampolines. Visitors to these indoor parks are provided with instructions for play: Avoid double bouncing, double flips, do not climb on the walls, and more. There is employee supervision and there are numerous safety signs displayed. Still, some visitors participate in unsafe jumping practices. Kids and teens are attempting to perform difficult stunts right next to one another. This increases the potential for injury, according to local news reports.
As more injuries occur, victims ask who may bear liability for injuries at an indoor trampoline park. A teen in South Florida recently visited a popular indoor park. She broke her ankle when another person landed on it. The teen and her family are trying to hold the trampoline park liable for her injuries. They claim the indoor park negligently supervised its patrons, which led to the injury. However, the park claims the injured teen’s parent signed a waiver before the injury, which absolves the park of liability. The waiver warned of the dangers associated with playing at the park. It also included a clause barring legal action against the company if injuries occurred.
Many indoor trampoline parks use language that absolves them of liability for injuries. While that language may suggest the park cannot face liability for a patron’s injuries, the park may still have acted negligently in some cases. Even if a patron signs a waiver, the trampoline park company may still act negligently if it does not follow the terms outlined in the waiver. For example, the park may have breached its duty by failing to provide adequate adult supervision.
If you or your child suffered an injury at a trampoline park, the personal injury attorneys at Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys are here to help. We want to secure the best possible result for you under the circumstances. Even if you signed a waiver, a company cannot act with outright negligence and cause you harm. Contact us today for a consultation.
