The short answer: You may still have a legal claim even if your child was injured at a trampoline park and you signed a waiver at the front desk. In North Carolina, a waiver does not automatically block a claim, and the park operator (and sometimes the equipment manufacturer) can be held responsible when unsafe conditions or careless supervision cause an injury. You generally have three years to file, and a free consultation costs you nothing.
Watching your child get hurt is one of the scariest moments a parent can face. One minute they’re laughing and bouncing, the next you’re rushing to urgent care or the emergency room, wondering how badly they’re injured and how you’ll handle the bills. If your child was injured at a trampoline park, you probably have many questions, starting with whether that waiver you signed means you’re out of options.
You’re not out of options, and you’re not alone. At Horton & Mendez, we help North Carolina families understand their rights after trampoline injuries, and your first consultation is free. You don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.
Below, our North Carolina personal injury lawyers cover:
– The types of injuries that happen at trampoline parks
– Whether the waiver you signed blocks your claim
– Who can be held liable for your child’s injury
– How North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule affects your case
– What to do right after your child is hurt
– How long do you have to file a claim
What Kinds Of Injuries Happen At Trampoline Parks?
Trampoline parks can cause a wide range of injuries, from minor sprains to life-changing trauma. The most common trampoline injuries include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, concussions, and soft tissue injuries, such as torn ligaments and strained muscles.
Broken bones often happen when a jumper lands awkwardly, falls off a trampoline, or collides with another person. Concussions and other head trauma can result from falls or from being struck by another jumper. Neck and spinal cord injuries are the most serious, sometimes happening during failed flips or hard landings, and can have lasting effects. Soft tissue injuries may sound minor, but torn ligaments and deep bruising can require surgery and months of recovery.
Why children are especially vulnerable
Children face a higher risk at trampoline parks because their bodies are still developing. Their bones and growth plates are more fragile than an adult’s, so a fall that might only bruise an adult can fracture a child.
Kids are also smaller and lighter, so when they share a trampoline with bigger jumpers, the “double bounce” effect can throw them off balance or launch them higher than they can control. Add in crowded jump areas, overwhelmed staff, and excited kids who ignore the rules, and it’s easy to see how quickly a fun outing can turn into a trip to the ER.
Does The Waiver You Signed Stop You From Filing A Claim In North Carolina?
Not necessarily. Signing a waiver at a trampoline park does not automatically prevent you from bringing a claim in North Carolina. Waivers for kids’ activities are common, but courts don’t always uphold them. Many refuse to enforce them beyond an activity’s inherent risks, which means you may still have the right to sue for negligence.
Courts also weigh factors, such as how clearly the waiver was written and the nature of the activity. In one North Carolina case, a court enforced a waiver that a mother signed for her 15-year-old partly because the activity was not commercial. A trampoline park, by contrast, is a for-profit business, and that difference can matter.
Just as important, a waiver generally cannot protect a business from liability for gross negligence or reckless conduct. If a park ignored safety standards, failed to maintain equipment, or didn’t properly supervise jumpers, that form may not hold up. Don’t assume you have no case just because you signed something. Let us review it.
Call 910-405-7751 for a free consultation. We know their playbook.
Who Can Be Held Liable For A Trampoline Park Injury?
More than one party can be held responsible, depending on what caused the injury. The two most common parties are the park operator and the equipment manufacturer.
The park operator
The park operator has a duty to keep the property reasonably safe for guests. That includes maintaining equipment, padding hard surfaces, enforcing safety rules, controlling the number of people who jump at once, and training staff to spot and stop dangerous behavior. When a park cuts corners on any of these, and someone is hurt as a result, the operator can be held liable under premises liability law.
The equipment or trampoline manufacturer
Sometimes the injury isn’t the park’s fault at all, but the result of defective equipment. Worn springs, torn mats, faulty netting, or poorly designed padding can all cause serious harm. When a product is defective, the manufacturer may be held responsible. Figuring out exactly what failed and who’s accountable often takes a thorough investigation, which is where having experienced lawyers on your side makes a difference.
How Does North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule Affect Your Case?
North Carolina applies an unusually strict fault standard that can directly threaten your claim. Under the doctrine of pure contributory negligence, you can be barred from recovering if you’re even partially at fault, by as little as 1%.
The park and its insurer know this, so they’ll try to pin some of the blame on you or your child, arguing you ignored a posted rule or “assumed the risk.” Our two managing partners are former insurance defense lawyers, so we know the tactics insurers use to shift blame. Now we use that knowledge to build cases that anticipate those arguments and protect your right to compensation.
What Should You Do After Your Child Is Injured At A Trampoline Park?
Receive medical attention first, then take steps to protect a potential claim. What you do in the hours and days after an injury can make or break your case. Here’s what we recommend.
– Receive medical care right away, even if the injury seems minor. Some injuries, such as concussions and internal damage, don’t show symptoms immediately.
– Report the injury to the park and ask for a copy of the incident report before you leave.
– Take photos and videos of the area, the equipment, and any visible injuries.
– Obtain names and contact information for staff and any witnesses.
– Keep everything, including the waiver you signed, your receipt, wristbands, and all medical records and bills.
– Don’t give a recorded statement to the park’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
The sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence before it disappears.
How Long Do You Have To File A Trampoline Park Injury Claim In North Carolina?
You generally have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim in North Carolina. State law sets a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52, and missing that deadline can cost you your right to compensation entirely.
For a child, the rules are different. North Carolina law treats a person under 18 as having a legal disability, and for someone not yet 18, the statute of limitations period generally runs from the date they reach age 18. In practice, that can give an injured child more time than an adult would have. Still, waiting is risky. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and any separate claim you have as a parent can fall under the standard deadline. The safest move is to call a lawyer as soon as possible.
Don’t wait to find out how much time you have. Call 910-405-7751 for a free consultation.
How Horton & Mendez Can Help
At Horton & Mendez, Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, our lawyers bring an inside perspective that most firms cannot. Our two managing partners are former insurance defense lawyers, and our team has 65+ years of combined experience. We know how insurance companies evaluate trampoline injuries and how they try to pay as little as possible because we’ve seen their playbook from the other side.
We handle the investigation, the paperwork, and the negotiations so you can focus on your child’s recovery. With offices across North Carolina, no matter where in the state you were injured, help isn’t far. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win.
Call 910-405-7751 for a free consultation. We know their playbook.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trampoline Park Injuries
Can I still sue if I signed a waiver?
Possibly, yes. A waiver doesn’t automatically block a claim in North Carolina, and it generally won’t protect a park from liability for gross negligence or unsafe conditions. Have a trampoline park injury lawyer review the waiver and the facts before you assume you have no case.
How much does it cost to hire a trampoline park injury lawyer?
There is no cost to get started. We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no fee unless we win. Your consultation is free, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
What if my child were partly at fault?
This matters a great deal in North Carolina, where even 1% of fault can bar recovery. That’s why it’s critical to have lawyers who know how to counter blame-shifting arguments. Don’t decide on your own that your child was at fault. Let us evaluate it.
What compensation can we recover?
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover money for medical bills, future medical care, pain and suffering, and related costs. Every case is different, so the best way to understand what your claim may be worth is to talk with a lawyer.
How long do I have to file?
Generally, there are three years from the date of injury for adults, though a child’s claim is often given more time because of their age. Because exceptions apply, contact us as soon as you can so you don’t miss a deadline.
Call 910-405-7751 for a free consultation. We know their playbook.
