Trampoline Parks Breed Trampoline Injuries
Trampoline parks have gained popularity around the country. But they might be breeding trampoline injuries, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Emergency records show 16 ambulance calls for trauma, including broken ankles, dislocated shoulders and head injuries, since a trampoline park opened last November in Carol Stream, Ill., reports the Tribune.
And nationally, almost 100,000 people go to the ER per year after trampoline accidents, reports WGN-TV.
Trampolines can provide fun and exercise. But the American Academy of Pediatrics advises to confine trampoline activity to supervised settings like a gymnastics facility, reports WGN-TV.
At trampoline parks, operators have customers and/or minors' guardians sign liability waivers, reports WGN-TV. Such waivers do not apply in the case of intentional acts, fraud and negligence.
Most trips from the trampoline to the ER result when jumpers colliding with one another, when jumpers fall onto the trampoline springs, when jumpers jump off the trampoline, or when jumpers try somersaults.
The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued notices about potential dangers. In order to help reduce injuries, CPSC worked with trampoline manufacturers to develop new standards for trampolines
Those standards went into effect in 1999. Now, padding must completely cover the metal frame, hooks, and all springs; labels must state age restrictions; ladders cannot be sold with trampolines; and labels must state the danger of use by more than one person at a time.
Trampoline parks are not regulated in Illinois, or by any federal agency. That's because the parks do not involve a moving apparatus, according to the Illinois Department of Labor, reports the Tribune.
The issues in an injury case arising out of an injury suffered by a customer at a trampoline park might include knowing and intelligent waiver, full disclosure, risk disclosure including giving trampoline warnings, maintenance records or accident history.
Related Resources:
- Trampoline Parks Causing Safety Concerns (Fox News)
- Amusement Park Accidents (FindLaw)
- Trampolines Recalled by Skywalker Holdings; Enclosure Problems Can Result in Fall Hazard (FindLaw)
- 10 Injured in Roller Coaster Collision (FindLaw's Injured)
