Taking your kids to a trampoline adventure center is more dangerous than letting them jump in the backyard.
This is the news this week and something I have been saying for years. I deal with injured children and adults and know that many trampoline businesses are centers for serious accidents — even death. If you think the centers are professionally designed to provide a safe experience, think again.
According to the latest British Medical Journal, kids are twice as likely to be injured at a commercial center than at home. There are several reasons, but the most reasonable is that the retail center trampolines are super taut to give you the highest bounce, and the kids have no experience or training to deal with this. The results can be life-altering. I know of one case where a child tried a flip for the first time and broke his neck. He is now a quadriplegic.
Here is an excellent legal rule of thumb: if you must sign a waiver to participate (as you do at most trampoline centers), someone has gotten hurt and probably permanently hurt. If you or your child is injured, there are ways to get around many of those waiver restrictions, but seriously, do you want to put yourself or your children in a situation where you have to do that?
Home trampolines can also be dangerous. I strongly suggest one child at a time and always with adult supervision. One friend tells me of a fence-type wrapping he has put on his backyard jumper so the kids can not fall off.
An injury on a trampoline can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills alone. You may think insurance will cover these, but in my experience, that rarely happens without a legal fight.
If you suffer a personal injury, like an auto/railroad wreck or slip and fall, you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.
Also, join us on NBC 15 LawCall here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We will take your calls live. We do like answering your questions. We also have lawyers standing by at our offices on Monday mornings.
Allen Ritchie