A new study published in the most recent issue of Pediatrics reveals an alarming statistic: Bounce houses injure a child every 46 minutes. The number of injuries from inflatable bouncers - including moonwalks, castles and bounce houses - has increased by 15 times since 1995, causing 5+ injuries per every 100,000 American children.
Just a few months ago a similar warning was issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concerning at home trampoline use. In September, AAP issued a statement discouraging the recreational use of trampolines, stating the activity "poses a major injury risk for kids and there's no clear way to reduce chances of getting hurt."
If you or a loved one has been injured on while on a trampoline or bounce house, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Depending on the circumstances of your matter it may be possible to recover compensation for your injuries through a negligence lawsuit based on product liability, premises liability or other theory of recovery.
Like bounce house injuries, trampoline injuries occur far more frequently than many people imagine. According to the study in 2009, the last year of available data, trampoline injury rates were 70 injuries per 100,000 children ages 0- to 4-years-old and 160 injuries per 100,000 5- to 14-year-olds, for a total of 98,000 injuries that year. Older kids were more likely to use a bicycle or other unsafe equipment on the trampoline, while young children under the age of 6 were most likely to get hurt. Between three percent and 14 percent of the injuries required hospitalization.
"Unfortunately, the very forces that make trampoline use fun for many children also lead to unique injury mechanisms and patterns of injury," the statement's authors write.
Trampoline and bounce house injuries include:
• Fractures
• Dislocations
• Sprains and strains
• Broken bones
• Head and neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
The most serious injuries often result from failed attempts at somersaults and flips while bouncing, sometimes resulting in lifelong injuries.
A director of the bounce house study noted: "It is time for us to take action to prevent these injuries ... Ensuring that parents are aware of the potential risks, improving surveillance of the injuries, developing national safety guidelines and improving bouncer design are the first steps."
"Because children are the end users and because companies typically do not provide the supervision on rented inflatable bouncers, the burden of safety falls ultimately on the parents' shoulders." Further while bouncers can be fun and safe when used properly, "Parents should be familiar with the risks and dangers and should receive proper supervision instruction."
For more information about bounce house or trampoline safety, or if you or a loved one has been injured while on a trampoline or bounce house, please contact an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.