November 27, 2012 — As bounce houses have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, so has the number of injuries. A recent study found a 15-fold increase in the number of emergency room visits since 1995. In 2010, the study found that 11,000 children were treated in an emergency room with injuries on a bounce house. Since 2008, the number of injuries per year has doubled.
In most cases, the injuries were not life-threatening. However, 3% of children required hospitalization, usually due to head trauma. More than 30% of the injuries occurred in children who were less than five years old. Between 2003 and 2007, four children died after hitting their head on a hard surface.
In nearly all cases, parents cannot file a lawsuit for their child’s injury. Rental companies require a complex liability waiver that protects them from lawsuits when injuries inevitably occur. Parents also assume responsibility when they allow their children to play in a bounce house.
In some cases, however, parents have filed lawsuits against event organizers that failed to inflate, secure, or supervise a bounce house adequately. There are many videos online showing what can happen when a bounce house is not properly tied down on a windy day — they can blow away with children trapped inside, causing severe injuries.
In 2010, one lawsuit filed in California alleged that the vinyl in bounce houses contained excessive amounts of lead, which was unsafe for children.
Experts recommend that parents assume responsibility for protecting children and minimizing the severity of injuries that are likely to occur in a bounce house. For example, parents should limit the number of children allowed in a bounce house. Parents should also ensure that children inside the bounce house are all of a similar size. Constant supervision is also a good idea to prevent injuries.
Do I have a Bounce House Injury Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting bounce house induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by a bounce house, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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