How Safe are Miami’s Indoor Trampoline Parks?

ben-hershey-Qc140r8ouCY-unsplash-copy-300x181Indoor trampoline parks seem like an ideal way to spend an afternoon with the family, but there are serious risks amidst all that fun. According to SafeBee, an initiative from United Laboratories (UL) dedicated to making neighborhoods and communities safe, the experience for many participants is cut short by a visit to the emergency room. There has even been one recorded fatality due to a broken neck incurred while jumping. The concerns for parents are troubling and understandable, since indoor trampoline parks are particularly appealing to children. 

If you or someone you know was hurt in an accident while jumping at a trampoline park, a Miami premises liability attorney can assist with your legal options. To understand what they are, some background information may be helpful.

Statistics on Indoor Trampoline Injuries

Figures from the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrate some of the dangers of trampoline parks and how injuries occur. For instance:

  • Around 75% of all injuries happen when there is more than one person jumping, which is probably the vast majority of the time.
  • Smaller individuals, usually children, are up to 14 times more likely to get hurt than larger participants. The issue is that weightier users create more energy when bouncing, creating force that is greater than what would occur if a child landed on solid ground.
  • By design, trampolines enhance a person’s ability to reach extreme heights. Falls at such heights obviously result in more severe injuries, which is possibly why they account for 27-39% of all trampoline injuries.

Legal Options for Injured Victims

Indoor trampoline park operators are subject to the same duties required of all Florida property owners. They must keep the premises safe for those who are legally present, especially guests who pay to participate in onsite activities. However, indoor trampoline parks attempt to subvert their legal obligation through waivers, in which parents must sign away their rights if their children suffer injuries. These waiver clauses are not always iron-clad, so you should still explore your remedies with the help of an attorney who can identify exceptions.

Safety Tips When Bouncing

You can decrease the risk of injuries at indoor trampoline parks by implementing some safety recommendations:

  • Make sure children are jumping on a trampoline with others of the same size and weight;
  • Give children instructions regarding safe bouncing, along with warnings against roughhousing and double-bouncing;
  • Do not jump or allow younger kids to bounce on crowded trampolines; and,
  • Children under 6 years old should not be allowed on trampolines, despite what park rules may say.

Get Advice From an Experienced Miami Premises Liability Lawyer

Despite these safety tips for jumping at indoor trampoline parks, you cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidents. Since there are challenges in the legal process, it is smart to retain experienced counsel to assist with your claim as a victim. To learn how we can help get the compensation you deserve under Florida law, please contact Gerson & Schwartz, PA. We can set up a no-cost case evaluation at our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL.

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