Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog
This week, the journal Pediatrics published an updated policy statement saying that although injuries from trampolines have been decreasing steadily over the past few years, there were 98,000 trampoline-related injuries in 2009, resulting in 3,100 hospitalizations.
In an article in CNN.com, Dr. Michele Labotz, a sports medicine physician and lead author of the statement, said that parents think, “Because the trampoline has this soft mat, kids can’t feel the impact. But they do.”
Common trampoline injuries include bruises, sprains, and strains. More serious injuries occur to the head and spine. And most accidents happen when a group of people are jumping together.
The younger the child, the more serious the injury, as children’s bones are softer than an adults. Children jump higher because they weigh less, but also hit the mat harder.
The American Academy of Pediatrics warns that certain moves such as somersaults and flips can cause spinal injuries that can lead to permanent health problems. They recommend that if a child uses a trampoline, that a parent should be on site to supervise. They also recommend that homeowners with trampolines check to be sure that their insurance covers any trampoline-related injuries.