Trampoline Park Injuries

Trampolines parks have become increasingly popular over the last ten years in Utah, as they are a great source of entertainment for families. Unfortunately, injuries are all too common as parks have introduced new attractions that are not for the faint of heart. For instance, some parks have 15-20 foot high jumps that have been known to cause patrons to break their ankles. Most parks also feature professional-grade trampolines that can cause jumpers to soar 10-15 feet—a lot higher than your typical backyard trampoline.

Rules and Regulations

Trampoline parks are classified as amusement parks. As an amusement park, it should follow the standards set forth by the ASTM (American Standard for Testing and Materials). According to ASTM F- 2970-17, section 6, the designer/engineer/manufacturer shall do a device analysis or risk assessment to determine the suitability of the device (i.e. trampoline or other feature), identify the most significant factors that may affect patron safety and how to mitigate these factors. Because owners of trampoline parks do not consider themselves as amusement parks, they often fail to conduct any safety analysis of their equipment. This would be the equivalent of Disneyland not completing their research and development of a new rollercoaster.

New legislation in Utah, H.B. 150, passed in 2019, attempts to address safety standards for trampoline parks. Many of the provisions are ambiguous, and it ultimately fails to make trampoline parks safer.

Waivers

Most trampoline parks attempt to limit their liability by having patrons sign a preinjury waiver. These waivers contain language that indemnifies or eliminates the park’s responsibility to compensate patrons for injuries. Many patrons who have been injured at trampoline parks are discouraged from filing a claim because they believe the waiver precludes taking any action. However, waivers can often be invalidated for various reasons, including the signer being a minor or the waiver’s language being overbroad. Even with a valid waiver, a park may still be held liable for gross negligence, i.e. the park’s actions were particularly egregious.

If you have been injured at a trampoline park, it’s important to have an attorney properly evaluate the park’s liability. The claim must be brought within a certain amount of time after the accident, so please call as soon as possible. 801-264-6666.

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