As a child, there is something very enticing about kicking off your shoes, climbing onto a trampoline, and jumping for the sky. It only seems natural that kids would be drawn towards trampolines, because they are advertised as a sort of outdoor toy. At first glance, they don’t appear to be much different from a play house or swing set, but trampolines are in fact dangerous equipment responsible for a range of mild to severe injuries.
Trampoline Dangers: Common Causes and Types of Injuries
Injuries sustained on trampoline can happen for a variety of reasons and despite the use of nets or padding.1 Some of the leading causes or contributing factors to trampoline injuries include misplaced landing awkwardly bending any extremity such as arms, legs, fingers, or toes, placing pressure or applying force to the neck, head, or body when doing flips or somersaults, striking or being struck by another person, falling or jumping off of the trampoline, landing on the springs or frame.2 Common injuries include damage to bones, ligaments, tendons, or joints, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, sprains, strains, bruises, fractures, scrapes, cuts, spinal cord injury or neck injury causing paralysis.3 These common injuries are having a prevalent impact in the United States according to a study conducted by the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics over a ten year period beginning in 2002.4 The research revealed that during this select period there was over one million emergency department visits for trampoline-related injuries resulting in over one billion dollars in hospital treatment expenses.5 Though the types of injuries were typically minor or less severe such as fractures to the forearm, elbow, tibia, fibula, and ankle, the use of a trampoline under any circumstances presents a range of risks.
How to Minimize Trampoline Risks
Most accredited health organizations and associations including the American Academy of Pediatrics warn against purchasing home trampolines, because the risk of injury is considered to be too significant and severe. However, in the event that a trampoline is purchased or used at home, gym classes, or on playgrounds the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a set of safety precautions to reduce the risk including having adult supervision at all times, only allowing one jumper at a time, prohibiting summersaults, use both nets and padding, regularly inspect equipment, and immediately replace or repair any damaged portion of the trampoline.
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you or your child has been injured on a trampoline, it is important to discuss the circumstances of your injury with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help to protect your legal rights and interests to compensation. To contact a personal injury attorney for a free consultation please feel free to call the The Bruning Law Firm trial attorneys at 618-278-5186.
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