Although trampolines are fun, they can also be dangerous. In fact, many pediatricians and physical therapists preach about the dangers of trampolines.
That doesn’t stop them from being popular. In Georgia, quite a few individuals have trampolines in their backyards. There are also trampoline parks scattered throughout the state. Unfortunately, both homes and trampoline parks could put you or your children at risk of injury.
Here at Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, we have seen first-hand the devastating impact of trampoline accidents. We want to help you receive the financial support you deserve for your accident. With the help of a trampoline injury lawyer in Atlanta, you can seek compensation for your accident.
Personal Injury Law: Are Trampolines Safe?
Trampolines are a source of entertainment for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, they are far more dangerous than many people recognize. Recently, the U.S. Sun reported on a devastating trampoline accident out of the United Kingdom that left a man with a broken neck and at risk of paralysis. In this article, our Atlanta trampoline injury attorneys provide an overview of the risks and explain who can be held legally liable for an accident.
Trampoline Injuries are Far More Common that Most People Realize
Trampolines have long been a backyard staple in Georgia. From single person trampolines to full-sized trampolines, they are especially common with families who have young children. Yet, there are serious questions about trampoline safety.
According to a report from AAP News & Journals Gateway, the rates of catastrophic injuries on trampolines are similar to the rates for backyard swimming pools. However, the safety risks associated with trampolines are far less well understood.
The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that 100,000 people visit the emergency room nationwide for trampoline injuries each year. The risk of injury on a trampoline rises when multiple people (especially children) are jumping at the same time.
Who Can Be Held Legally Liable for a Trampoline Accident in Georgia?
If you or your child was injured in a trampoline accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. All serious trampoline accidents should be investigated by an experienced personal injury attorney. A number of different parties may be liable for a trampoline accident, including:
- A Commercial Trampoline Company: There are commercial trampoline companies throughout North Georgia. Some companies operate trampoline parks. Other companies may install a trampoline in your backyard as a rental for a single day or weekend. These businesses could be held liable for injuries caused by negligence.
- Individual Property Owner: An individual trampoline owner could potentially be liable for an accident that occurs on their premises—especially if their trampoline was not properly maintained or they failed to supervise children. Property owners are responsible for their trampoline.
- Trampoline Manufacturer: Manufacturers may be liable for injuries caused by a dangerous and defective trampoline. Under Georgia state law, a trampoline manufacturer may be held strictly liable for a defective product. These are complicated cases. An attorney can help you and your family pursue a product liability claim.
Trampoline accident claims are notoriously complex. Injured victims and their families need financial compensation. Our Atlanta, GA trampoline accident lawyers help victims seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment.
Get Help From a Trampoline Accident Injury Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
At Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys have deep experience handling trampoline accident claims. We will help you get justice and financial compensation after an accident. Contact us now at (404) 529-3476 for a free, no obligation review and evaluation of our case. With a law office in Atlanta, we handle trampoline injury claims throughout Georgia, including in Fulton County, Cobb County, and DeKalb County.
The Dangers of Trampolines
If you visit a trampoline park, you’ll encounter many safety signs. There are usually several employees supervising the visitors, trying to keep everyone out of harm. These safety features are there for a reason. Jumping on a trampoline comes with many risks.
Often, people don’t just jump alone. When multiple people jump on one trampoline, there is a great chance of injury. Trampolines are often enclosed, and one individual could knock into the other. The result could be any one of the following:
- Laceration
- Concussion or other head trauma (including traumatic brain injury)
- Broken bone or fracture
- Spinal injury
- Serious sprain
A collision isn’t the only incident on a trampoline that could cause an injury. Even a single jumper could experience an accident. For instance, someone could fall off an unenclosed trampoline. Or, they could fall upon landing. Another potential danger comes from the trampoline springs. If you get caught on a spring or land on the frame, you could twist your joint or break a bone.
In the video below, we see the unfortunate results of an injury one suffered at a trampoline park. This seemingly harmless activity changed the course of this family’s life.
While some of the injuries are minor, others are life-threatening or life-altering. In any case, you could be eligible for compensation. A trampoline injury attorney in Atlanta could help you seek damages for your accident.
How to Get Compensation
No matter where your trampoline injury occurred, you could be eligible for compensation. This is due to personal injury laws. In Georgia, victims of accidents on premises are eligible for compensation through a personal injury claim.
If your accident occurred at someone else’s home, they could be responsible for the injury. Negligence on behalf of the owners part means that they are liable. For example, the trampoline owner might not have supervised your child on the trampoline. It’s also possible that they didn’t maintain it properly. This could result in a malfunction that leads to an injury.
When the owner is liable for the injury, they are financially responsible as well. A personal injury claim could get you money for your medical bills and more.
Can You Get Compensation for a Trampoline Park Injury?
In Atlanta, several new trampoline parks have opened in the past few years. Before you visit the parks, you need to sign a waiver. Typically, the waiver warns you of the risks that come with using the facility. However, you could still be able to file a lawsuit against the park.
The law regarding personal injury leaves some room for interpretation. Even if you sign a waiver, the trampoline park has no right to be negligent. They still need to do what they can to keep you and your children safe. To share one of many possible examples, they need enough staff present to properly supervise the jumpers.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, all of the following are measures parks should take to keep everyone safe:
- Adult supervision at all times
- Enough padding on hard surfaces
- A one-jumper rule
- No permission to do flips or somersaults
If a trampoline park fails to do any of the above, they could be acting in a negligent manner. It’s possible that you could file a lawsuit against them. To find out if a lawsuit is a possibility for you, contact a trampoline injury lawyer today.
Working with a Trampoline Injury Lawyer in Atlanta
A trampoline accident often comes with many medical bills. Furthermore, it could come with a future of disability. You could find yourself staring down years of debt and struggle. These accidents can put you or loved ones out of work for months or even years. This can put a financial strain on you that could further add to the struggle.
If you or your child was a victim of a trampoline injury, you can seek justice and compensation for the pains suffered. Don’t fight this alone. Contact us at Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys for more information on how we can help you.