A trip to a trampoline park is supposed to be fun. Instead, for far too many families across Michigan, it ends in an ambulance ride, an ER visit, or a life-altering diagnosis. The shock hits fast. So does the fear—and the confusion. How did this happen? Wasn’t this place supposed to be safe?
Here’s the hard truth: trampoline parks are high-risk commercial businesses, not harmless entertainment. They combine high-impact activity, hard surfaces, crowded jump areas, and minimal supervision—often marketed as “safe fun” for kids, teens, and adults alike.
Serious injuries don’t just happen to reckless people. They happen to:
- Children, whose bones and brains are still developing
- Teens, encouraged to flip, race, and compete
- Adults, who are rarely warned how dangerous these environments really are
And most importantly—many trampoline park injuries are preventable.
When parks cut corners, overcrowd attractions, fail to supervise, or ignore equipment hazards, people get hurt. Under Michigan law, trampoline park operators can be held liable when negligence causes injury—even when waivers are involved.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Trampoline Park Injury?
Trampoline Park Owners and Operators
The businesses that run trampoline parks are responsible for daily safety operations, staffing, supervision, and enforcing rules designed to prevent injuries.
Corporate Franchisors
Many trampoline parks operate under national brands. When corporate policies, layouts, or safety standards contribute to injuries, the franchisor may share responsibility.
Property Owners and Landlords
If the building itself is unsafe—poor flooring, inadequate space, structural hazards—the property owner may also be liable.
Equipment Manufacturers
Defective trampolines, padding, springs, foam pits, or harness systems can create serious risks. Manufacturers may be held accountable for unsafe designs or defective products.
Maintenance and Inspection Contractors
Third-party companies hired to inspect or maintain equipment can be liable when they miss—or ignore—dangerous conditions.
Employees and Supervisors
Poor training, lack of supervision, or failure to enforce safety rules often plays a direct role in trampoline park injuries.
Michigan Premises Liability Law and Trampoline Parks
Trampoline Parks Are Commercial Premises
These are for-profit businesses inviting the public onto their property. That means they are held to a higher legal standard than private homeowners.
Legal Status of Visitors: Invitees
Customers at trampoline parks are considered invitees under Michigan law. Invitees are owed the highest duty of care.
The Operator’s Legal Duty Includes:
- Inspecting the premises and equipment for hazards
- Maintaining trampolines, padding, and facilities in safe condition
- Repairing known or discoverable dangers
- Warning guests of hazards that cannot be immediately fixed
A Heightened Duty Due to Known Risks
Trampoline parks know—better than anyone—that trampolines are dangerous. That knowledge creates a heightened responsibility to:
- Control crowd size
- Separate jumpers by age and ability
- Enforce safety rules
- Provide trained supervision
- Design layouts that reduce collision risk
Negligence vs. “Assumed Risk” at Trampoline Parks
What Assumption of Risk Really Means in Michigan
Under Michigan law, assumption of risk is not a free pass for negligence. Guests may accept certain inherent risks of an activity—but they do not agree to be injured because a business cut corners or ignored safety.
Why “Dangerous Activity” Does NOT Excuse Negligence
Even when an activity carries obvious risks, operators still have a legal duty to act reasonably. A trampoline park cannot:
- Ignore safety standards
- Overcrowd jump areas
- Hire untrained staff
- Use defective or worn equipment
Calling an activity “dangerous” does not erase responsibility.
Inherent Risks vs. Preventable Hazards
- Inherent risks: Minor falls, normal bouncing, losing balance
- Preventable hazards: Unsafe conditions created by poor management or neglect
Michigan law draws a clear line between the two—and trampoline parks cross it far too often.
Examples of Negligence Despite Assumed Risk
Even in a high-risk environment, parks may be liable for:
- Overcrowding, increasing collision risk
- Poor or absent supervision, especially in children’s areas
- Defective or worn equipment, including springs, mats, and padding
- Unsafe park layout, forcing jumpers into dangerous proximity
When injuries result from these failures, assumption of risk does not apply.
Trampoline Park Waivers – Are They Enforceable in Michigan?
Why Trampoline Parks Rely on Waivers
Waivers are designed to:
- Discourage lawsuits
- Intimidate injured families
- Shift responsibility away from the business
They are legal tools—not shields.
Common Waiver Language and Tactics
- Dense, fine-print contracts
- Broad language claiming to waive “all claims”
- Electronic signatures signed quickly at check-in
- Pressure to sign without explanation
Limits on Liability Waivers Under Michigan Law
Michigan courts place real limits on what waivers can do. They cannot protect businesses from all forms of misconduct.
When Trampoline Park Waivers May Be Invalid
Waivers may fail when:
- Minors are injured (parents cannot waive a child’s legal rights)
- Gross negligence is involved
- The language is ambiguous, misleading, or overly broad
- The waiver violates public policy
Why Waivers Do NOT Automatically Block Lawsuits
Courts look at:
- How the waiver was presented
- What risks were disclosed
- Whether the injury resulted from negligence rather than inherent risk
Many strong trampoline park cases move forward despite signed waivers.
Evidence Used in Trampoline Park Injury Cases
Key Evidence in Michigan Trampoline Park Injury Claims Includes:
- Incident and accident reports
Internal reports created by park staff often contain early admissions, witness names, and descriptions that later “change.” - Surveillance and security footage
Video evidence can show overcrowding, unsafe layouts, lack of supervision, or the exact moment an injury occurred. This footage is often deleted quickly if not preserved. - Maintenance and inspection records
These records reveal whether trampolines, padding, springs, and foam pits were properly inspected—or dangerously ignored. - Employee training manuals and policies
What staff should have done versus what they actually did can expose clear negligence. - Witness statements
Other guests often saw unsafe conditions long before the injury occurred. Their testimony matters. - Medical records
ER visits, imaging, surgeries, and long-term treatment link the injury directly to the incident and show its true severity. - Expert testimony
Safety experts, biomechanical engineers, and medical professionals explain how the injury occurred, why it was foreseeable, and how it could have been prevented.
At Marko Law, we act fast to preserve evidence before it disappears—because once it’s gone, corporations gain the upper hand.
Damages Available in Michigan Trampoline Park Injury Claims
Recoverable Damages May Include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
Emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, follow-up treatment, and long-term medical needs. - Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and ongoing recovery care. - Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Income lost during recovery—and future earnings lost due to permanent injury. - Pain and suffering
Physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety, and the daily burden of living with serious injuries. - Permanent disability or impairment
Injuries that permanently limit mobility, strength, or independence. - Loss of enjoyment of life
When injuries take away sports, hobbies, school activities, or everyday joys. - Emotional distress
Fear, trauma, anxiety, and psychological harm—especially common in child injury cases. - Wrongful death damages (when applicable)
Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and the devastating emotional loss suffered by surviving families.
Every case is different. What matters is making sure nothing is minimized and nothing is ignored.
What to Do After a Trampoline Park Injury in Michigan
Critical Steps to Take Immediately:
- Seek immediate medical care
Even if injuries don’t seem severe at first, trampoline injuries often involve hidden head, neck, or spinal damage. Medical records also document the seriousness of the harm. - Report the injury to park staff
Make sure the incident is officially reported before you leave. Verbal reports alone are not enough. - Request and preserve incident reports
Ask for a copy of the accident or incident report. These documents often change over time—early versions matter. - Take photos and videos
Document the trampoline area, equipment, padding, layout, warning signs, and your injuries. Conditions can change quickly after an incident. - Gather witness information
Other guests may have seen overcrowding, unsafe conditions, or lack of supervision. Names and contact information are critical. - Do not sign additional documents or give recorded statements
Parks may push additional waivers or ask for statements after the injury. These are designed to protect the business—not you. - Contact an experienced Michigan trampoline park injury lawyer immediately
Surveillance footage can be erased, evidence can disappear, and deadlines can pass. Early legal action protects your rights.
Fun Should Never Come at the Cost of Safety
Trampoline parks invite families in with bright colors, music, and promises of safe fun. But once they open their doors to the public, they owe a legal duty to protect their guests—especially children. When that duty is ignored and someone is seriously hurt, the blame doesn’t belong to the victim. It belongs to the business that failed to keep people safe.
Here’s the truth: accountability is possible—even against national trampoline park chains and corporate operators. But it takes a legal team willing to push back, dig deep, and take cases to trial when necessary.
Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation
📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: https://www.markolaw.com/
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