Trampoline parks are meant to be a fun place for kids to burn off energy and enjoy time with friends. But all too often, that fun turns into an emergency room visit. Broken bones, head injuries, and spinal trauma are just some of the serious injuries children suffer in these spaces. As a parent, seeing your child hurt can be overwhelming, and when it happens because of unsafe conditions or poor supervision, it’s not just scary. It’s infuriating.
We meet parents every year who are blindsided by what happens after a trampoline park injury. You sign a waiver thinking it’s standard, only to find out later that it could impact your ability to take legal action. But California law gives you more options than you might think, especially when it comes to protecting your child’s well-being.
Understanding the Risks at Trampoline Parks
Injuries at trampoline parks happen more often than many families realize. These parks feature not just trampolines, but foam pits, basketball hoops, obstacle courses, and climbing walls—all with hard surfaces nearby. The most common injuries include:
- Sprains and fractures
- Concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Internal injuries from hard landings
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has reported thousands of trampoline park-related injuries each year, and children make up a significant portion of these cases. These injuries don’t always happen from missteps. Many are the result of inadequate supervision, poor maintenance, overcrowding, or failure to enforce safety rules.
What California Law Says About Premises Liability and Child Injuries
Under California law, trampoline parks have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for visitors. This falls under the concept of premises liability, which holds a property owner responsible when someone gets injured due to a hazard they should have addressed. When children are involved, the law tends to take an even closer look at what the park did—or failed to do—to keep them safe.
California Civil Code § 1714 states that everyone is responsible for injuries caused by their lack of ordinary care. This includes trampoline park operators who don’t properly train their staff, fail to inspect their equipment, or ignore safety protocols that could prevent serious accidents.
If your child was injured due to a loose trampoline pad, an unsupervised high-risk area, or reckless behavior from another guest that staff ignored, you may have legal grounds to pursue a claim.
How Waivers Work—and When They Don’t Hold Up
Trampoline parks in California almost always require parents to sign a liability waiver before a child can participate. These forms are meant to release the business from legal responsibility for injuries. But signing one doesn’t automatically mean you lose your right to take action.
Courts in California have repeatedly ruled that waivers cannot protect a business from liability for gross negligence. That means if the park did something so careless that it created an obvious and preventable risk, the waiver may not apply.
Examples of gross negligence might include:
- Failing to repair visibly broken equipment
- Allowing unsafe numbers of children in one area
- Not having enough trained staff on hand
- Ignoring reports of unsafe behavior
If the injury was caused by something the park could have and should have prevented, we can often build a case that challenges the waiver’s enforceability.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim on Behalf of a Minor
Because children can’t file lawsuits on their own, the law allows parents or legal guardians to file a claim on the child’s behalf. This includes:
- Claims for medical expenses already incurred
- Future treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering experienced by the child
- Emotional distress or psychological trauma
In California, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim on behalf of a minor is typically suspended until the child turns 18. That said, it’s usually better to act quickly while evidence is fresh and memories are clear.
If the case leads to a settlement or court award, the court must approve the outcome to make sure it’s in the child’s best interest. Funds may be held in a blocked account or structured settlement until the child becomes an adult.
How We Approach Trampoline Park Injury Cases
We understand how emotional and stressful this situation can be. A child’s injury changes everything—school, family routines, and daily life. You deserve to work with someone who doesn’t just see your child’s case as a file number. We take the time to meet you, understand what happened, and explain your legal options without pressure or confusion.
When we investigate trampoline park injuries, we look at every layer:
- Was there a pattern of safety violations at the location?
- Did staff respond appropriately to the injury?
- Were you fully informed of the risks you were signing off on?
- Did the park follow its own safety rules and guidelines?
Our role isn’t just to fight for accountability. It’s to make sure your child’s story is heard, and that your family is treated with respect every step of the way.
Talk to a California Trampoline Injury Lawyer Who Cares
No parent should have to figure this out alone. If your child was hurt at a trampoline park in California, let’s talk. We offer guidance rooted in compassion, backed by decades of experience handling injury claims across the state.
Call 909-325-6185 today to speak with someone who will listen, explain your next steps, and stand by your side as you move forward.
We don’t treat you like just another case—we treat you like family. That’s how we’ve always done things at The Paris Firm.
