Trampoline Parks: Fun or Fateful?
Trampoline injuries are prevalent throughout the US. Many homeowners’ insurance companies will deny coverage if a trampoline is on the property. This begs the question, why are home trampolines and trampoline parks so widely popular?
Several recent studies highlight the truly frightening injury numbers. Trampoline parks up the ante and provide the perfect storm for injury or tragedy – typically amidst celebration and laughter.
The Injury Toll in Trampoline Parks
The International Association of Trampoline Parks (IATP) is on the record as stating that in just North America, there were about 50 million annual visits on average to trampoline parks. Estimated growth in popularity of these facilities is astonishing – From just about 25 parks in 2010 to a whopping 350+ parks in 2014 and more today.
Unfortunately, the correlating injury data is shocking.
- A rise in all trampoline injuries from 600 (2010) to almost 7,000 by 2014 (Journal of Pediatrics Study Feature)
- Annual average of about 92,000 emergency room visits for trampoline injuries over the 2010-2014 period (Home and park combine)
- Roughly 10% of trampoline park injuries led to a hospital stay – nearly double the rate of home injuries that required hospital admission.
- While most injuries were children, about 19% of park injuries are adults over the age of 18.
Home or Away – Trampolines are Dangerous Play
The arguments for or against trampoline parks vary widely. While injuries on home trampolines are prevalent, the injuries that occur at trampoline parks tend to be more serious in nature. Most injuries, home or in public settings, are typically the result of multiple jumpers, falls or failed tricks. Even under supervision at a park, the nature of having multiple participants significantly increases the threat of danger.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is on the record as saying they ‘Strongly discourage the use of home trampolines’ which logically also applies to parks. While parks may have safeguards such as staff, nets and pads on the floors and walls – The common cause of serious injury is multiple jumpers or ‘double jumping’ which is the very foundation of the parks’ strategy.
According to a general study by the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
- More than 1 million people were treated at the ER for trampoline injuries over a 10 year period – About $1 billion in treatment costs
- About 300,000 of those injuries were broken bones and fractures – Or about $400 million in costs
- 60% of broken bones were upper arms / shoulders /etc
- 36% were lower extremities
- 200 injuries led to permanent brain injury
Common Types of Trampoline Injuries
- Head Injury / Concussion
- Broken Bones
- Bruises
- Scrapes
- Brain injury
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Cuts
- Crush or impact injuries
If you or a loved one was injured in a trampoline incident, you must seek legal help immediately.
I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.
