Posted: August 9, 2016
Injuries related to trampoline parks have increased dramatically, according to a new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
The results of the study, published in the August 2016 issue of Pediatric, shows a 10-fold increase in trampoline injuries between 2010 and 2014.
The study found that in 2010, 600 injuries related to trampolines were reported. That number increased to nearly 7,000 by 2014. Numbers were provided by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System between 2010 and 2014, which looked at the number of emergency room visits related to trampoline accidents.
Trampoline parks see spike in injuries, accidents
Differences were noted between injuries sustained at trampoline parks versus at-home trampolines. The injuries suffered at trampoline parks tended to involve the lower extremities, including leg fractures. Although these accidents were less likely to include blows to the head, the injuries were more severe. Open fractures and spinal cord injuries were more likely at these locations.
Around 27-39 percent of all trampoline injuries involved a fall from the trampoline, according to this recent report. Another 20 percent of injuries occurred when the jumper collided with the trampoline frame. Padding did not appear to thwart these types of injuries, the AAP found.
Home trampolines involved upper limbs more often, including elbow and forearm fractures. Injuries at trampoline parks were more likely to involve a hospital admission. These injuries could often be attributed to falls, flips and contact with other jumpers.
“Pediatricians should counsel their patients and families against recreational trampoline use and explain the current data indicate current safety measures have not significantly reduced injury rates and that catastrophic injuries do occur,” the report summarizes.
Trampolines gaining popularity
Trampoline parks, like BounceU in New Jersey, have been rapidly gaining popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, the number of injuries at these parks has also increased exponentially. According to the International Association of Trampoline Parks, the number of parks has grown from around 25 in 2010 to more than 350 in 2014. At the time of the study, it was estimated that around 450 trampoline parks would be functioning by the end of 2015.
Safety guidelines tend to fluctuate from state to state and park to park. For example, some parks allow participants to do flips and other acrobatics, while others ban such activities. Parks also vary in the number of jumpers allowed on the trampolines at one time, which could also affect safety. Even the design of the park, which includes safety features like padding around trampolines or placing trampolines at ground level, can vary greatly.
This leaves patrons unknowingly vulnerable to many variables that could lead to serious injury. In fact, the report trails on the heels of numerous recalls of home trampolines in recent years, including a Walmart recall of around 92,000 home trampolines due to concerns over safety nets that could allow jumpers to break through and fall off the trampoline. This defect resulted in numerous bone fractures and neck and back injuries before the recall was issued.
NJ personal injury lawyers
If your child suffers injuries in a trampoline accident, you may entitled to compensation for injuries and medical bills. The personal injury attorneys at Eisbrouch Marsh offer seasoned legal advice to those who have been harmed by defective and recalled products, as well as the negligent actions of third parties. To explore your rights to compensation after a trampoline accident, please call 201-342-5545 to schedule a free case review.
Resources
- Pediatrics, Trampoline Park and Home Trampoline Injuries, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/07/28/peds.2016-1236
- International Association of Trampoline Parks, Statement in Response to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Trampoline Park and Home Trampoline Study, https://iatp.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_lyftenbloggie&view=entry&year=2016&month=07&day=31&id=27:international-association-of-trampoline-parks-iatp-statement-in-response-to-the-american-academy-of-pediatrics-trampoline-park-and-home-trampoline-injury-study&Itemid=142
- Cleveland Clinic, Surprising Dangers of Trampolines for Kids, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/04/surprising-dangers-of-trampolines-for-kids/
