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GET THE JUSTICE YOU DESERVE:
Law Offices of Alvin F. de Levie
TALK TO ALVIN TODAY FOR FREE
(215) 696-3900
Law Offices of Alvin F. de Levie
TALK TO ALVIN TODAY FOR FREE
(215) 696-3900

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LAW BLOG

Personal Injury Lawyer: Trampoline Accidents Are on the Rise

  • By Mike Bannan
  • 25 Sep, 2017

Trampoline Accidents Are On the Rise

Between 2002 and 2011, over 1 million people were treated in emergency departments throughout the United States at the cost of over 1 billion dollars. More than a quarter of those treated suffered broken bones. The cause? Not bicycle accidents, not sports-related injuries, not even automobile accidents. According to a recent study by the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, these Americans were all injured by trampolines.

 

Among the 1 million people referenced in the study, approximately 300,000 suffered fractures. Of those suffering fractures, the most common were arm fractures, while just more than a third suffered fractures to the legs. Only a small fraction suffered fractures to the spine, head, face, ribs, and sternum.

 

Trampoline accidents are on the rise nationally. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are close to 100,000 trampoline accidents every year, and numbers have been rising since 2010. While most trampoline accidents occur at home, the advent of trampoline parks is fueling a nationwide increase in trampoline-related injuries. Between 2010 and 2014, injuries at trampoline parks rose from 581 to 6,932, an increase of more than 1,000%.

 

Part of the rise in injuries is simply due to the increase in trampoline parks. The first trampoline park opened in 2004. Since then, more than 350 such parks have opened across the country. More kids jumping around on trampolines means more injuries. The facilities themselves may not have proper safety equipment, making use of padding and foam which does little to protect children from the most common causes of injury, which include slipping in between trampoline sections, falling onto other children, improper landing, and failed attempts at tricks.

 

Just this past summer, in Miami, a 3-year old boy fractured his thigh-bone at a trampoline park that left him in a full body cast. An orthopedic surgeon stated that the fracture was most likely due to repetitive bouncing. This incident has raised national concern about age restrictions at trampoline parks. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons warns that children below the age of 6 should not be allowed on trampolines of any type. The boy’s mom took to social media to urge parents not to take their children to these hazardous parks. While trampolines are a popular and fun pastime, her child had to adjust to life in a body cast for the next six weeks and could barely function without assistance. This is something no parent wants to see their child suffer through.

 

The bouncing public receives little protection from the law as well. There are no federal regulations for trampoline parks, and only a few states have taken the lead in establishing them. This means that design and safety features and policies vary widely from park to park. Additionally, pursuing a lawsuit can be hard, as many trampoline parks require participants to sign waivers and trampoline manufacturers will rely on warning labels to absolve themselves from liability.

 

If you or someone you know has been injured in a trampoline accident, at a playground, in an ATV accident, or during some other recreational activity, it is important that you get the help from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

 

The dedicated attorneys at the Law Offices of Alvin F. de Levie & Associates are focused on representing victims of negligent and wrongful acts. Our legal team advocates for victims’ rights and interests. Contact us today at (844)-777-2529 for a free initial consultation.

 

We maintain offices throughout Pennsylvania, with locations in Philadelphia, State College, Clearfield, Bellefonte and Lock Haven, and we are willing to meet any clients throughout the Commonwealth.


Alvin F. de Levie is a 1973, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a 1976 graduate of the Villanova University School of Law. He is an expert in Pennsylvania Law revolving around medical malpractice and personal injury. 


Mr. de Levie has consistently been voted by his peers to receive Martindale-Hubbell's "AV Preeminent" 5.0 out of 5.0 rating. An AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards. 


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