Trampoline Park Injuries

In recent years, trampoline parks have become a popular destination for families and children across Tennessee. While these facilities promise fun and exercise, they also present significant risks when not properly designed, maintained, or supervised. Injuries at trampoline parks can be severe and, in some cases, life-altering. If your child or another loved one has been hurt in a trampoline park accident, it’s important to understand your legal rights and the responsibilities that trampoline park operators owe to their guests. At The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we help families throughout Nashville, Davidson County, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, and beyond recover compensation after serious trampoline-related injuries.

Trampoline park injury claims often involve complex legal issues, including waivers of liability, industry safety standards, and the application of Tennessee premises liability law. Our firm has extensive experience investigating these incidents, challenging unenforceable waivers, and advocating for injured children and their families. Call us today at (615) 742-4880 for a free, confidential consultation.

The Growing Risk of Trampoline Park Injuries

Commercial trampoline parks feature interconnected trampolines, foam pits, climbing walls, obstacle courses, and more. While they offer a fun outlet for kids and teens, the risks associated with high-speed bouncing, flips, and poorly supervised zones can result in serious injuries. These injuries include:

• Fractures of the arms, legs, or spine
• Dislocated joints and ligament tears
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, sometimes resulting in paralysis
• Lacerations and facial injuries
• Internal bleeding or organ trauma from hard landings

Many of these injuries are caused by unsafe park design, overcrowding, defective equipment, or insufficient staff supervision. Children may collide mid-air, fall off trampolines, or be encouraged to attempt stunts that are far beyond their physical ability. Some parks allow mixed-age use of the same jumping surfaces, leading to larger, heavier jumpers unintentionally injuring smaller children.

When these injuries occur due to the facility’s negligence, Tennessee law provides a path to hold trampoline parks legally accountable.

Legal Duties of Trampoline Park Operators in Tennessee

Trampoline parks are considered commercial premises, and under Tennessee law, owners and operators owe a duty of reasonable care to their invitees. This includes ensuring that the premises are reasonably safe, repairing known hazards, warning guests about non-obvious dangers, and following industry safety standards.

Failure to maintain the facility or supervise activities appropriately can give rise to a negligence claim. For example, if a trampoline has a tear, if padding is missing, if staff members fail to enforce safety rules, or if a foam pit is not adequately filled, the operator may be liable for resulting injuries. Courts will assess whether the operator acted as a reasonably prudent facility would under similar circumstances.

Tennessee law also considers whether the injury was foreseeable, meaning that the park should have anticipated the risk of harm under the circumstances. If there have been similar incidents at the facility or industry-wide safety warnings were ignored, this may strengthen the injured party’s case.

What About Liability Waivers?

Many trampoline parks require guests—or their parents—to sign liability waivers before participating. These waivers are intended to protect the park from legal claims if an injury occurs. However, in Tennessee, waivers signed on behalf of a minor child are not enforceable. This principle is well established in case law, including the Tennessee Court of Appeals decision in Blackwell v. Sky High Sports Nashville Operations, LLC, 523 S.W.3d 624 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2017), which held that a parent does not have the authority to waive a child’s personal injury claims in advance.

This means that even if a parent signed a waiver at the front desk, the child may still pursue a personal injury claim for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and other losses. That ruling is especially important in trampoline park injury cases, where waivers are standard practice.

However, while the waiver may not bar the child’s claim, it can create procedural hurdles. Some waivers include mandatory arbitration clauses or forum selection clauses. These provisions may or may not be enforceable, depending on the specific language and the facts of the case. Our attorneys have experience successfully challenging such provisions and protecting families’ access to court.

Proving Negligence in a Trampoline Park Injury Case

To win a trampoline park injury case, the injured party (or their guardian) must prove that the park operator acted negligently and that this negligence caused the injury. This typically involves gathering evidence such as:

• Surveillance footage of the incident
• Photographs of the area where the injury occurred
• Incident reports completed by park staff
• Medical records documenting the injury and treatment
• Maintenance logs and inspection reports for equipment
• Staff training protocols and employment records
• Witness statements from other guests
• Expert testimony about industry safety standards

Our legal team investigates each case thoroughly, looking at factors like staff-to-jumper ratio, whether the park followed ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards, and whether any prior complaints had been made about the specific hazard. If a manufacturer defect contributed to the injury, we also explore the possibility of a product liability claim.

Common Defenses Raised by Trampoline Parks

Trampoline parks and their insurers often raise several defenses in injury cases. The most common include:

Assumption of risk: The park may argue that jumping on trampolines is inherently dangerous and that the injured person voluntarily assumed that risk. However, assumption of risk is not a complete defense to negligence under Tennessee law, especially if the facility failed to take basic safety precautions or if the hazard was not obvious.

Comparative fault: The park may argue that the injured party—or their parent—was partially at fault. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning that a plaintiff’s recovery may be reduced if they were less than 50% at fault, and barred entirely if they were 50% or more at fault.

Enforceable contractual clauses: As noted earlier, trampoline parks may try to enforce arbitration agreements or forum clauses. Our attorneys are experienced in analyzing and challenging such clauses where they unfairly limit access to justice.

Despite these defenses, Tennessee courts recognize the heightened duty owed to children, especially in recreational settings. The law is generally favorable to minors who suffer injuries due to a business’s negligence.

Damages Available in Trampoline Injury Cases

If your child is injured due to a trampoline park’s negligence, they may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and therapy
• Pain and suffering, both physical and emotional
• Permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement
• Loss of future earning capacity in severe injury cases
• Emotional trauma, including PTSD or anxiety disorders

Parents may also bring a claim for the medical expenses they paid and for the loss of the child’s services. These claims are governed by Tennessee Code Annotated § 28-3-104, which imposes a one-year statute of limitations. In contrast, the child’s personal injury claim is tolled until the child turns 18 under T.C.A. § 28-1-106, giving them one year from their 18th birthday to file.

In rare but serious cases, such as those involving intentional misconduct or reckless disregard for safety, punitive damages may be awarded under T.C.A. § 29-39-104 to deter similar conduct.

Statute of Limitations and Legal Deadlines

As mentioned, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Tennessee is generally one year from the date of injury under T.C.A. § 28-3-104. However, for minors, this period is tolled until they reach the age of majority, per T.C.A. § 28-1-106.

It’s important to note that this tolling applies only to the child’s claim. Parents seeking reimbursement for medical bills or asserting a claim for loss of the child’s services must act within the standard one-year period. Delaying legal action can result in the permanent loss of valuable claims.

Prompt action also allows your attorney to gather evidence before it disappears. Surveillance footage may be erased, staff may leave their jobs, and conditions at the facility may change. Early investigation is critical to building a strong case.

How The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. Can Help

At The Law Offices of John Day, P.C., we understand the legal, emotional, and financial toll that a serious injury can take on a family. With offices in Nashville, Brentwood, and Murfreesboro, we represent families across Middle Tennessee and Davidson County in trampoline injury cases and other complex child injury claims.

We handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also advance all case-related expenses. Our team includes a full-time nurse and collaborates with trusted medical experts, life care planners, and financial analysts to document every aspect of your child’s injury and recovery.

We understand that behind every case is a family seeking answers, healing, and justice. We are here to advocate for your child’s future and ensure that their story is heard.

Contact Us Today

If your child has been injured at a trampoline park, contact The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. at (615) 742-4880. We offer free consultations and can help you determine whether you have a valid claim. From our offices in Nashville, Brentwood, and Murfreesboro, we serve families throughout Middle Tennessee, holding negligent trampoline park operators accountable and helping children recover with dignity and care.