If you have kids, you’re likely aware of the immense popularity of trampolines–and probably have plenty in your neighborhood. According to Allied Market Research, the trampoline industry brought in nearly $885 million in 2023.
Unfortunately, trampolines are incredibly dangerous, especially when they’re used in unsafe ways. In fact, the Mayo Clinic reports that over 800,000 kids were injured while using a trampoline between 2009 and 2018. In this article, I’ll tell you more about when you may have a legal case if you or a child is injured while using a trampoline. A trampoline accident attorney at Buttafuoco & Associates can provide a free case review and guide you through your personal injury claim. Don’t hesitate to call 1-800-NOW-HURT to discuss your situation.
Trampoline Accident Causes
While trampolines are a blast to jump on, because of their unpredictable nature they often result in severe and unexpected injuries. In an especially strange freak accident in 2013, Jonathan Durall of Leitchfield, Kentucky had to have surgery after both of his biceps ruptured while jumping on a trampoline. The cause? Durall was using bungee cords to restrain his arms while practicing a backflip. The bungee’s resistance immediately caused a popping sound as both of his distal bicep tendons ruptured and tore from the bone. They later had to be reattached by a surgeon.
While this may be an incredibly unexpected injury, doctors are used to encountering every kind of harm when it comes to trampolines. While safety nets are helpful in keeping children from falling off the trampoline, when nets are absent and someone lands on concrete, serious injuries can occur. 75 percent of trampoline accidents happen when two or more people are jumping together and they collide, or one lands atop the other. Other common causes of trampoline injuries include falling on the springs, frame, or mat; making a mistake or becoming uncontrolled while performing stunts such as flips and landing in an unintended position.
It’s also common for people who aren’t jumping to be injured when a jumper flies off the trampoline and lands on someone sitting on the sidelines. Almost all trampoline injuries happen on home trampolines, and 90 percent of victims are children under the age of 14. One thing to keep in mind as a parent is that injuries that happen at businesses known as jump parks are often more severe because attendees tend to jump higher and perform more involved and risky acrobatics.
Common Types of Trampoline Injuries
Nearly any type of injury imaginable can occur on a trampoline. Sprained ankles and wrists are particularly common, as are lacerations. In more serious cases, doctors see fractured spines, skulls, ribs, or sternums. Neck injuries are also common when a jumper lands inadvertently on their head. These can be especially worrisome, as head and neck injuries can cause paralysis or even death.
Most trampoline injuries involve sprains or fractures in the arms and legs; however, more severe injuries are not uncommon. Landing incorrectly when performing somersaults or other high-risk maneuvers often leads to head and neck injuries that can be particularly devastating—sometimes resulting in paralysis or even death.
Whether an injury is major or minor, some emergency rooms may struggle to treat it. Some doctors are uncomfortable treating pediatric patients in the ER, in which case they might transfer them to a facility that specializes in children. The Mayo Clinic reports that between 20 and 30 percent of trampoline injuries require surgery to properly heal, so working with a pediatric surgeon may be necessary.
Treating this type of injury can be incredibly expensive, especially if it’s severe. Your child may require emergency medical treatment, surgery, physical therapy, and more, which can quickly add up. (For a clearer understanding of how damages work in these cases, read our blog.) If your child sustains a severe injury while jumping, a trampoline injury attorney in New York at Buttafuoco & Associates may be able to help you determine who is liable and whether you have a case.
Who is Liable for a Trampoline Injury?
Liability in these cases can sometimes be challenging to determine, so working with an attorney can be a useful first step. In some cases, the property owner may be held responsible, especially if they removed the net from the trampoline or otherwise assembled the apparatus in an unsafe way. In other cases, the manufacturer of the trampoline itself may be liable–especially with a product that has been recalled, or which breaks unexpectedly due to a manufacturing defect that went unnoticed. If your child was injured by another jumper’s negligence, they, too, could be considered liable. A good trampoline injury lawyer serving New York can help you determine liability, make sure all responsible parties are held accountable, and maximize your injury case.
Injured? Call Buttafuoco & Associates Today
If you or a child sustained injuries in a trampoline accident and you believe it may be due to another party’s negligence, the personal injury attorneys at Buttafuoco & Associates would be happy to work with you to maximize your compensation so that your child can make a full recovery.
Call us today at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
