Trampoline Park Accident Claims

What causes trampoline park accidents? 

The vast majority of trampoline parks in the UK now have stringent health and safety protocols and procedures in place, and carry out regular risk assessments to ensure that their premises provide a safe and fun environment for their customers, in line with the guidelines laid out by The Association of Trampoline Parks. These guidelines have helped to minimise the number of trampoline park accidents caused due to unsafe equipment, improper staff training, and general negligence.

With these guidelines in place, the majority of accidents at trampoline parks are now typically caused by people colliding with one another whilst bouncing, too many people jumping in the same area of the trampoline, and people jumping or falling off the trampoline. However, in some cases, an accident can be caused due to negligence, including faulty equipment, improper usage instructions, and too few staff monitoring the trampoline. A trampolining accident that occurs through no fault of your own could make you eligible for compensation; our team of qualified personal injury solicitors can advise you on the best course of action.

What should I do if an injury occurs at a trampoline park? 

If you are injured at a trampoline park, or someone you are with is injured, it is important that the injured person is not moved, this is to ensure the injury is not made any worse before it can be treated, especially if the person has landed awkwardly and appears to have a neck or back injury. An ambulance should be called right away so that paramedics can assess the injured person and take them to hospital where necessary, and be sure to get a copy of the medical report as this will likely be needed to support your compensation claim.

Whilst waiting for the ambulance there are a number of things that you can do: notify the trampoline park and make sure the accident gets logged in their accident book, and gather as much information about the accident as possible. Take photos of the injury and the trampoline, as well as any safety advice you were given before beginning your session on the trampoline. If there were any witnesses to the accident it is helpful to take statements and contact details from them.

Once the injury has been treated and all of the evidence of the accident has been gathered, the next step is to contact us here at PSR Solicitors and our team of experienced personal injury lawyers will offer advice and guidance on your claim.

Who is responsible for trampoline park safety? 

Trampoline parks in the UK are required to comply with the health and safety regulations outlined by The Association of Trampoline Parks, but the responsibility for trampoline safety ultimately lies with the owner or operator of the trampoline park.

Trampoline parks have a duty of care to their patrons, which means they must: 

• Ensure the trampolines are set up correctly.
• Ensure the trampolines are properly maintained, and any faults are rectified promptly.
• Carry out regular risk assessments and put preventative measures in place where necessary.
• Provide safety netting where appropriate and necessary.
• Provide adequate training and guidance to trampoline users to ensure correct use of the equipment.
• Ensure staff are properly trained and that there are enough staff to supervise the trampoline park effectively.
• Have staff on site who are trained in first aid, plus an adequate first aid kit.
• Ensure that anyone using the trampolines is in an adequate physical and mental condition to do so.

The onus is also on trampoline park customers to ensure they follow the instructions given to them and use the equipment in a safe and respectful manner, taking care to avoid causing any unnecessary risk to themselves or other trampoline users.

Can I still make a claim if I’ve signed a waiver? 

When attending a trampoline park you may be asked to sign a waiver before using the equipment. Many trampoline parks make it mandatory to sign a waiver in order to participate in the trampolining activities. However, this does not necessarily mean that you have waived all of your rights away, and you may still be able to make a claim if you are involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault.

Whilst there is some degree of legality to a waiver, it can not completely absolve the trampoline park of their public liability, and an injured party may still be able to make a compensation claim after a no-fault accident. The Unfair Contract Terms Act (1977) states that the provider of an activity cannot exclude or restrict their liability for injury or death caused as a result of their negligence. Therefore if you signed a waiver upon entering the trampoline park, but were then injured in an accident caused by their negligence, for example insufficient supervision of the trampolines, poorly maintained equipment, or a failure to impart the correct safety procedures, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries.

How much compensation could I claim for a trampoline park accident? 

After your trampoline park accident, once your injuries have been treated and the shock has worn off, your thoughts may begin to turn towards a compensation claim and how much money you could be awarded. It is a question that we get asked often, but it is also very difficult to give a definitive answer as each compensation claim for a trampoline park accident will vary.

There are many different facets of the case that will need to be looked at in order to determine how much compensation you could be awarded. These include the type and severity of your injury, as well as the long-term prognosis of your injuries and the effect they have had on your quality of life. You may also be able to receive compensation to cover any medical expenses or loss of earnings you have incurred as a direct result of your injuries.

How much will it cost me to make a compensation claim? 

One of the main concerns many people have when making a claim for compensation after a trampoline park accident is how much it will cost them. After incurring medical expenses and having to take time off work, which often means a loss of income, the last thing you want is to be faced with a hefty legal bill, especially if your claim is unsuccessful.

At PSR Solicitors we understand your concerns, which is why we offer our personal injury compensation service on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that if your claim is unsuccessful, our No Win No Fee Solicitors won’t charge you anything for our services. If your claim is successful, we will recoup our fees from the compensation you are awarded before it makes its way into your bank account.

Who Is Potentially Liable For A Defective Product?

Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, there are three main parties that can be held liable for defective product injury claims.

• The manufacturer of the product
• An own-brander (a person or party that identifies itself as the producer by attaching their brand name or trademark on the product)
• An importer into the EU or UK

In the event that a supplier fails to divulge the identity of any of the above parties to a claimant within a reasonable timeframe, they can also be held liable.

There are also certain circumstances where the liability extends to cover retailers, wholesalers, repairers, and hirers of defective products but your solicitor can discuss that with you if it is relevant to your case.