Accident on Trampoline: How Dangerous is it?

Watching your little munchkins enjoy themselves on a trampoline brings a smile to your face. Are you standing nearby or watching from afar?

Be with them while they use trampolines, or else you may regret it, as an accident on trampoline can happen anytime.

Trampolines have found places in the backyards since the pandemic lockdown period. Almost every household has one to entertain their kids. Are trampolines dangerous? What do the studies and statistics say about this recreational but most dangerous toy for American kids?

What the Trampoline Accidents Statistics Convey

Glancing at the statistics may bounce you off your seat. Reports say that more than 100,000 trampoline accidents per year harm children and adults. From 2002 to 2011, about a million individuals visited emergency rooms with minor to severe injuries.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) discovers that most injuries occur in backyards.

However, accidents in trampoline parks cause more severe injuries since older kids, as well as more kids, involve in jumping at the same time. The chart clearly portrays how many fracture and dislocation injuries occur in trampoline parks.

Causes of Trampoline Accident Injuries

An accident on trampoline can occur due to a variety of reasons. As we know, kids under 16 are very naughty, and they tend to attempt adventurous activities in all their games. Bouncing on and off on a trampoline into the air gives them immense joy and drives them to perform all stunts in the air.

Human, as well as mechanical deficits, can cause an accident on trampoline. Let’s see them in detail.

Improper use:

First of all, remember trampolines are not meant for home use. Trying to do tricks or stunts while jumping on the trampoline is highly dangerous. Trampolines are meant for gymnasts to practice and perform their skills. That, too should be done only under adult or coach supervision.

Most of the backyard trampolines are meant for use one person at a time. When more kids jump at the same time, there are chances of them colliding with each other.

When kids of different age groups play on the same trampoline, younger kids can be crushed under the heavy frame of older kids. Even kids standing nearby the trampoline can be impacted by those who are bouncing on once they lose balance and fall off.

Improper landing:

During a bounce, if you land on the trampoline, it will be fun. But what if you land off it? Landing on the floor on your feet may fracture your ankle or leg.

If the landing is upside down, more serious injuries to the head, neck, spine, or upper extremities cannot be prevented. To the extreme, even death or paralysis can occur.

Imagine, what happens, if you fall on the outer frame or springs attached to the trampoline. You will end up with detrimental injuries.

Lack of safety gear:

Though we cannot prevent injuries, the use of safety gear like helmets, knee pads, or elbow pads can at least reduce the gravity of injuries. This measure also becomes worthy only when one user is on the trampoline.

Even while using the trampoline parks, the kids and parents should make sure to use safety gear before entering the trampoline.

Defective or old trampoline:

Buying a trampoline and installing it in your backyard doesn’t end your responsibility as a parent. Maintaining the trampoline in good condition and doing periodic checks of its usability are also equally important.

Even the trampoline park authorities are responsible for maintaining the trampolines in safe conditions to ensure the safety of the users. Trampolines used for a prolonged time may break due to wear and tear.

Selling defective trampolines may land the manufacturers in product liability claims. Before marketing a product, it’s their responsibility to add sufficient warnings and ‘how to use’ instructions with the trampolines to ensure customer safety.

Manufacturing and marketing a defective product can cause catastrophic injuries to the kids who use it.

Lack of adult supervision:

Do you want your kids to be safe and sound while on the trampoline? Then, be with them. In the absence of adults, kids may explore all sorts of tricks.

When an adult is nearby, he/she can respond to the adverse event immediately when the unfortunate incident occurs. On-time response and medical help can save many lives.

Smaller kids on the trampoline:

Kids under 6 years are too small to cope with the bouncing force and speed. They could not match up or manage with the bounce when with older kids. They can be pushed off the trampoline or crushed by the older kids.

Absence of / poor safety nets:

Though new trampolines come with a lot of safety measures, they couldn’t reduce accidents. The safety net should be installed properly and they are not something to be used as a bouncing wall. Keeping off from the sides of the net and being inside keep you safe.

Types of Injuries an Accident on Trampoline Could Cause

Having a quick glance through the different types of injuries an accident on trampoline could cause will give you jolts.

According to the study by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) done on children treated for trampoline injuries from May 1, 1995, to April 30, 1997, some shocking numbers were discovered.

Around 96% of the trampoline injuries occurred at home, out of which 55.6% happened in the presence of adults. Mostly children from 1 to 16 years were injured from accidents on trampolines.

Approximately 93% of injuries are sustained by children under 16 years. Out of which, around 15% of injuries occur to children under 6 years of age. Roughly 200 injuries are related to nerve damage.

The studies clearly portray that while more fractures occur at home, more severe and life-altering injuries like spinal cord injuries, head traumas, paralysis, or death occur at trampoline parks. The only relieving fact is that only around two trampoline park deaths are reported a year.

Safety Measures to Prevent Trampoline Injuries

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has laid down some safety instructions to prevent an accident on trampoline. They are jotted down as follows:

• Do not attempt or permit somersaults because landing on the head or neck can result in paralysis.
• Only one kid should be permitted to bounce on the trampoline at a time.
• Children under the age of six should never use a full-size trampoline.
• Keep the trampoline away from structures, trees, and other play areas.
• Make sure not to use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads completely covering its hooks, springs, and frame.
• Never leave a ladder that allows young children to access the trampoline unattended.
• Enclosures for trampolines can shield users from harm if they fall off.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed that in 2009, approximately 65,000 children aged 14 and under received treatment in emergency rooms for injuries from an accident on trampoline.

The National Center for Biotechnology Information has found out that during the lockdown period in 2020, there was a 168% increase in trampoline-related injuries from the previous year. These kinds of injuries should be considered the “high energy mechanism of injury.” Children under six years underwent injuries like proximal tibia fractures. A 14-fold injury risk was noted to have occurred in smaller kids.

In 1977, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued its first warning against the use of trampolines for recreational or sporting purposes. Despite the fact that the American Academy of Pediatricians called for a complete ban on consumer trampolines in 1998, the trampolines are continued to be in use even today.

Is your kid injured in a trampoline accident due to a design defect? Are you trying to pursue a lawsuit against the manufacturers? Contact the best trampoline accident attorney to know the possibilities.

Sending your medical records to LezDo TechMed for review will unearth the strengths and weaknesses of your claim. Our professionals have vast experience in handling such injury claims.

Trampoline Recalls So Far

Under the Fast-Track Product Recall Program, the CPSC can order recalls when trampoline defects and injuries are reported. You can check the details of the recall on the CPSC website.

Let’s see some of the defective trampolines recalled so far.

Jumpking recalled about 1 million 14- and 15-foot trampolines and more than 295,000 safety nets in 2005 following adverse event reports from consumers. Customers complained that welds on the trampoline frame were rupturing while in use, resulting in a variety of injuries to users, including head, neck, and back injuries, broken bones, and sprains.

Skywalker Holdings recalled approximately 60,000 trampolines in 2009 after receiving more than 250 complaints that straps supporting the top of the trampoline’s safety netting broke, posing a risk of the netting support poles falling onto the trampoline.

Sportspower Limited recalled roughly 92,000 14-foot trampoline models in May 2012 after receiving numerous reports of the safety net breaking. At least one of the jumpers suffered back and neck injuries as well as broken bones.

Super Jumper Trampolines recalled approximately 23,000 units sold on internet marketplaces such as Amazon and Wayfair in 2019. The recall came after nearly 100 reports of trampoline frame welds failing.

Jinhua Coolmore recalled its 286 units of the brand’s 12-foot Super Bounce trampoline with Enclosure and Fiberglass Ladder on July 23, 2020. Around 16 reports of defective T-connectors were reported as of July 17, 2020, but no injuries were reported.

Around 1,500 LBLA Kids, 55” trampolines were recalled in 2021 due to leg and strap failure, resulting in injuries. Out of the 5 complaints the manufacturers received, 2 resulted in injuries.

If you are injured by a recalled trampoline, contact an experienced product recall attorney to know if your case is valid.

LezDo TechMed offers end-to-end medical record review solutions to attorneys to ease their burden. Know the quality of our reviews by getting our free trial.

Trampoline Accident Liability

When trampoline accidents occur at home, most lawsuits will be against product defects, and rarely do premises liability lawsuits occur. However, when trampoline parks lead to injuries, the liability depends on the circumstances.

Premises Owner:

Premises owners are responsible for keeping the trampoline in usable condition with all the safety precautions undertaken. If your child is injured in a trampoline park, try to find out the cause of the injury. If the poorly maintained trampoline is behind the screen, the trampoline park owner can be held liable for his negligence.

Manufacturer:

If the trampoline is new but with defects like faulty springs, hooks, stands, or even with installation defects that caused the injury, you can sue the manufacturer or the company that installed the product.

Other users:

As we have seen earlier, injuries can occur by the negligence of other users. Even those who are outside but near the trampoline can be injured when the jumper carelessly bounces off the trampoline to the onlooker nearby.

In some cases, other kids may shove your kid off the trampoline intentionally or unintentionally which will result in injury. In such circumstances, the negligent child or party can be held liable.

Will Insurance Cover Trampoline Accidents?

Insurance providers consider trampolines as an “attractive nuisance.” As the risk is high, most insurance companies will not be ready to cover injuries from trampolines.

Even the homeowner’s insurance does not cover them. Do you know why? Having a trampoline at home makes you prone to sustain injuries. Even intruders or trespassing children can use your trampoline and get injured.

Some insurers provide insurance under certain conditions. You must follow the safety rules if you want your insurance for coverage. Some will charge an additional fee if you want to possess a trampoline.

Even if you are given homeowner’s insurance, it may exclude your trampoline-related coverage in some cases. If it includes, you will be covered within the policy limits, but that’s very rare.

It is better to think twice and consult with your insurance provider before planning to buy a trampoline for home use.

Can I Sue the Trampoline Park for Injuries?

Before using a trampoline park, a liability waiver is usually required to be signed. The waiver’s intent is to shield the facility from liability in the event of serious injuries, permanent disability, or death. In short, if a person or parent signs a disclaimer for themselves or their children and an accident occurs, the facility cannot be sued.

In case of a lawsuit, the facility may hold that they are not responsible for your or your kid’s injuries. However, if the facility’s negligence is proven, it can be held liable for the harm. Moreover, some states, like Kentucky, hold that a parent does not have any right to sign a legal contract on behalf of the kid.

You can sue the park owners if you can prove that their negligence caused your child’s injuries. If the injury was caused by another user or by poor trampoline maintenance or design flaws, you could hold the responsible parties liable.

What Should I do if I Sustained Trampoline Injuries?

Like every injury, evidence of your injuries and the defendant’s negligence stand as vital elements in proving your claim. Therefore, make sure to do the following to fortify your trampoline injury lawsuit claim.

• Document your injuries, the defective trampoline, and the surrounding area in photographs or videos.
• Record the day’s happenings in a diary or note.
• Collate the witness statements and contact details.
• Make sure to seek medical assistance and get your injuries and other vitals documented in medical records.
• Take note of all your expenses, including medical expenses, loss of pay, and so on.
• Seek the guidance of an experienced attorney to steer your claim.
• File the claim within the statute of limitation of your state.

To sum up,

If you have a trampoline at home or use one at the trampoline parks, you or your kids can’t probably stay away from injuries. However much you are careful while your kids use the trampoline, you can’t be lethargic that no harm would happen. You should be highly alert and make sure the trampoline is in good condition before permitting your tiny tots to bounce on.

It is better to avoid having or using this bouncing nuisance to stay away from injuries and liabilities. If you have one in your backyard, never leave a ladder nearby for the kids to access in your absence. If an older kid intrudes and accesses your trampoline and gets injured, you may be held liable for his injuries depending on the cause and circumstances of the accident on trampoline.

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1/6 Can a bouncy trampoline bounce one’s life off the base?
Of course! If the kids do not follow the safety rules, they can be fatally injured. @PYLELAW #accidentontrampoline #trampolineaccident #lezdomedlegal pic.twitter.com/9mAXsDf4cD

— LezDo MedLegal (@LezDoMedLegal) January 6, 2023