Across South Carolina and the United States trampoline parks and bounce houses are proliferating. And as the numbers of these recreational establishments rise, so the injuries that occur. Trampoline park injuries and injuries from inflatables occur to people of all age ranges. However, are these bounce houses and trampoline parks exposing one segment of our population to a higher risk of injury? Small children, because of their developing muscles and bones, should not be using trampolines at all, according to a leading medical orthopedic group. So what liability does a trampoline park have when young children under the age of six suffer serious fractures, such as femur fractures, because of the use of trampolines?
On its website called Trampoline Injury Prevention, the prestigious American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) clearly states “Do not allow a child younger than 6 years old to use a trampoline”.
Why should children under the age of 6 be prohibited from using trampolines? First, children at this age do not have the ability to control their own jumping. Second, the bones of a child at this age are not fully developed and not strong enough to withstand the constant stress and pressure caused by repetitive jumping on a trampoline. There have been femur fractures reported in children younger than 6 caused by repetitive trampoline jumping.
So should a trampoline park allow children under the age of 6 to enter its premises and use the trampolines? Clearly, the answer is no. And that’s based on the medical recommendations of a prominent medical organization, the AAOS, that clearly states a trampoline park should not allow children under the age of 6 to jump on trampolines.
Like any business that operates to make a profit, trampoline parks have a duty to keep and maintain a safe environment for its customers, including small children under the age of 6. Moreover, trampoline parks, like any business, should research, discover, find out about and learn of the hazards that its premises or equipment may present to its customers. Its obvious, after even fairly cursory research, that trampolines present an unreasonable danger and risk of harm to kids under the age of 6. As a result, trampoline parks should know that its not safe to allow children under the age of 6 to use its trampolines.
The majority of trampoline park injuries are sustained by young children between the ages of 5 and 14. If your child has been injured on a trampoline, you may need legal advice to navigate your situation. If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer in Greenville SC, contact us today or complete our simple online request form and someone from our team will get back with you.