MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota. According to the Star Tribune, a Minnesota man who was paralyzed at a trampoline park recently settled for $3 million with the park. The man injured his neck when he jumped into a foam pit at the park, landing on his neck. Though he had signed a liability waiver, he and his lawyers contended that the park was grossly negligent for his injuries.
The man’s injury is tragic, but it raises important questions about the safety of trampoline parks. More of these parks are opening across the country, but are they safe? The Law Offices of Martin T. Montilino see far too many preventable recreational and vehicle injuries. While trampoline parks seem like a great way to get active, are the risks too high?
According to the Guardian, the number of injuries being reported at these parks has been on the rise. A report of trampoline park injuries in the UK revealed that one trampoline park had to call an ambulance about once a week. How do injuries occur? Like any slip and fall injury, individuals can break bones, suffer internal injuries, or suffer spinal cord injuries during a fall. If a person hits his or her head, he or she could also suffer traumatic brain injury. While trampoline parks usually have foam pits into which a person can fall, if the foam isn’t properly packed or dense enough to absorb the fall forces, a person can hit the ground and suffer traumatic injury. Individuals who are falling into a foam pit can’t always see what lies below the surface and sometimes the foam isn’t as dense as it should be. For this reason, individuals should always use caution when jumping into foam. The most severe injuries include broken backs and necks—injuries which can be life-altering.
Home trampolines once faced heavy criticism for the number of injuries individuals suffered. However, trampolines have improved when it comes to safety. Padding is more secure, reducing the risk of lacerations or entrapment. Home trampolines come with nets that prevent children and adults from falling off and hitting the ground. Trampoline parks also take measures to reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Even so, one wrong jump onto the padding, or a bad fall in a foam pit can result in injuries. Some also warn that the nets can lead to complacency.
One doctor notes that the more serious injuries at trampoline parks occur when a larger person or adult is on the trampoline at the same time as a child or smaller person. The weight difference can result in impact injuries if the adult crashes into the child. Furthermore, the weight difference means that both people have less control over their jumps, making it more likely that a crash could occur.
Doctors are calling for more supervision at trampoline parks. Others warn people against jumping into foam pits from high platforms—as more parks are removing these structures due to their risks. Finally, before spending time at a trampoline park, you may want to ask staff about safety measures and rules. Make sure children understand the rules before jumping.
The Law Office of Martin T. Montilino is a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota who helps individuals who have suffered slip and fall injuries. Our firm can review the factors of your case to help you seek a recovery for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and rehabilitation expenses if you have been injured.