A 13-year-old California teenager was throwing a ball during what should have been a fun visit to Sky Zone when a much larger customer blindsided him, causing him to black out and suffer catastrophic injuries requiring five hours of emergency surgery. The collision between the 145-pound teen and a 180-pound jumper resulted in a broken tibia, shattered knee, and damaged ligaments that left him bedridden for two months and unable to return to school or sports.
His case represents just one of hundreds of documented injuries at Sky Zone trampoline parks across the nation. Investigative reports have uncovered a troubling pattern of severe injuries at Sky Zone locations, prompting the lawyer of one victim to accuse the park of “reckless indifference” and “cavalier disregard for danger.”
As serious injuries continue to occur at trampoline parks nationwide, knowing your legal rights can help protect your family when fun activities result in harm.
The Scope of Sky Zone Injury Cases
Documented Injury Patterns
Analysis of incident reports and lawsuits across the nation by Boston 25 News reveals consistent injury patterns at Sky Zone facilities nationwide. The most common injuries include:
- Broken femurs, tibias, and fibulas
- Fractured and sprained ankles
- Knee injuries requiring surgical intervention
- Head and neck trauma
- Soft tissue injuries requiring extended recovery
The investigation showed internal Sky Zone incident reports consistently document injuries involving trampoline mats and protective padding around metal frames. An employee manual obtained through litigation warns workers to “BE AWARE OF THE PADS,” indicating the company’s awareness of these hazards.
It also reviewed emergency response data from multiple Sky Zone locations, uncovering a consistent pattern of injury-related calls, with most incidents involving foot and leg injuries consistent with the patterns identified in legal proceedings.
Notable Sky Zone Lawsuit Examples
Case Study: Age and Size Segregation Failure
A 5-year-old boy suffered a broken leg at a Rockin’ Jump trampoline park in Dublin, California, when a middle school-aged child began bouncing next to him. The preschooler lost his balance during the interaction and struck the hard padded area of the trampoline, fracturing his leg. The injury required:
- Extended use of a wheelchair for mobility
- One full year of rehabilitation
- Significant disruption to normal childhood activities
The case highlighted concerns about inadequate enforcement of safety rules regarding age and size separation, despite company policies requiring jumpers to avoid bouncing near smaller individuals.
Case Study: Toddler Femur Fracture
A 4-year-old boy sustained a broken femur during a birthday party at a Sky Zone facility when a larger child fell on him during trampoline dodgeball. The injury required:
- Hospitalization at a New Jersey medical center
- Full leg cast from hip to toes
- Multiple surgical procedures
- Pins inserted into the leg
- Extended rehabilitation period
The case highlighted concerns about age and size segregation policies at trampoline parks.
Case Study: Equipment-Related Injuries
A Massachusetts teenager spent nearly a year in a wheelchair and on crutches after his foot became caught between a trampoline mat and the metal frame at a Sky Zone facility. Court documents alleged the trampolines were “defective and unreasonably dangerous,” pointing to fundamental design flaws in the interconnected trampoline system. The lawsuit described how the victim’s “right foot landed on the hard surface underneath covering the trampoline frame,” resulting in fractured tibia and fibula bones.
How Much Protection Do Waivers Really Offer?
Many injured guests assume that signing a liability waiver prevents them from pursuing legal action against a trampoline park like Sky Zone. However, in California, these waivers offer only limited protection — especially when injuries involve children or stem from unsafe conditions.
When Waivers May Not Apply
Liability waivers typically do not shield businesses from responsibility in the following situations:
Gross negligence or willful misconduct
When a business knowingly ignores safety hazards, fails to maintain equipment, or exhibits reckless disregard for customer safety.
Violations of safety laws or regulations
Parks that fail to meet state or local safety codes — or ignore established industry standards such as ASTM F2970 — may not be protected by a waiver.
Negligent supervision
Especially relevant when children are involved. If staff fail to enforce rules or prevent foreseeable dangers, the business may be liable.
Defective or poorly maintained equipment
Waivers typically do not absolve park operators, manufacturers, or maintenance contractors of liability when injuries result from defective trampolines, padding, or structural components.
Failure to warn of known dangers
If a park fails to inform customers of risks that are not obvious or expected, it may still be held accountable — waiver or not.
Enforceability Issues
California courts take a narrow view of waiver enforceability, particularly in high-risk recreational settings like trampoline parks. Waivers are less likely to be upheld when:
- The injury involves a minor (under age 18) — Parents cannot waive a child’s legal rights in advance under California law.
- The activity carries inherent physical risks, and the injury results from something beyond the normal scope of that risk.
- The business markets itself as safety-focused, which creates a higher duty of care.
- The incident involves gross negligence, not just ordinary carelessness.
Other key factors that influence waiver enforceability include:
- How clearly the waiver explains the risks
- When and how the waiver was presented
- Whether the injured person had a meaningful opportunity to read and understand it
Legal Considerations in Sky Zone Injury Cases
When someone is injured at a trampoline park, several legal claims may apply — often in combination.
Premises Liability
Park operators have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for their guests. In trampoline park cases, this duty includes:
- Regular inspection and maintenance of trampolines, padding, and foam pits
- Adequate supervision and enforcement of safety rules
- Clear separation of jumpers by age, size, or skill level
- Proper training and staffing of employees
- Clear warning signs about known hazards and rules
If a park fails in any of these areas, it may be held liable for resulting injuries.
Product Liability
When an injury is caused by equipment failure or poor design, other parties may share responsibility, including:
- Manufacturers – for trampolines, mats, springs, or other components with design or production defects
- Installation contractors – for errors during setup or improper assembly
- Maintenance providers – for failing to perform routine safety checks or repairs
- Facility operators – for failing to notice and correct dangerous conditions
California product liability law allows injured parties to hold multiple defendants accountable, depending on the facts of the case.
Negligent Supervision
Trampoline parks, especially those that serve children, have a heightened duty of care. Claims of negligent supervision may involve:
- Inadequate staffing or failure to monitor active jump zones
- Failure to separate jumpers by age or size
- Lax enforcement of safety rules
- Staff failing to intervene during unsafe conduct
Industry Safety Standards and Regulations
American Academy of Pediatrics Position
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly discourages trampoline use by young children, stating that most injuries occur when multiple people jump simultaneously. Their research indicates that trampoline park injuries include sprains, strains, broken bones, head and neck injuries, and concussions.
Medical research reveals significant safety concerns at trampoline parks nationwide. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that emergency room visits due to trampoline park injuries increased by nearly 1,100% over a four-year period. The study also determined that compared to home trampolines, trampoline parks produce more serious injuries.
More recent AAP data from trampoline parks shows:
- 13,256 injured users reported from 8,387,178 jumper hours
- Overall injury rate of 1.14 injuries per 1,000 jumper hours
- 11% of injured users sustained significant injuries
- Highest injury rates in high-performance areas (2.11 per 1,000 jumper hours)
- Significant injury rate of 0.11 per 1,000 jumper hours
Regional data supports these findings. In the Bay Area alone, medical dispatch records show at least 73 emergency 911 responses to a dozen local trampoline parks in just a two-year period. The injuries, mostly among children, included hurt necks, snapped ankles, popped knees, and dislocated elbows.
Regulatory Gaps
In California, trampoline parks are not classified as “amusement rides” under Cal/OSHA regulations. Specifically, the California Code of Regulations excludes trampolines and inflatables from oversight by the Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit. According to NBC Bay Area, a 2013 legislative attempt to require Cal/OSHA oversight—mandating safety training, insurance, and inspections—failed. As a result, no statewide inspection or licensing standards currently apply to trampoline parks in California.
Common Questions About Sky Zone Injury Claims
Can You Sue Sky Zone for an Injury?
Yes, despite liability waivers, injured parties may have valid claims against Sky Zone under several legal theories. Courts examine the specific circumstances of each case, the adequacy of safety measures, and whether the waiver language covers the particular type of negligence involved.
How Many Injuries Happen at Sky Zone?
While exact numbers vary by location and reporting methods, documented emergency response data shows hundreds of injury-related calls to Sky Zone facilities. Internal incident reports suggest the actual number of injuries may be significantly higher than publicly reported figures.
What is the Sky Zone Controversy?
The primary controversy involves allegations that Sky Zone has knowledge of recurring injury patterns but has failed to implement adequate safety measures. Internal documents have prompted some to suggest the company may prioritize profits over customer safety, leading to preventable injuries.
Has Anyone Ever Successfully Sued Sky Zone?
Multiple successful lawsuits have been filed against Sky Zone, though many settle out of court with confidentiality agreements. Public court records document various cases involving broken bones, head injuries, and other serious trauma resulting from inadequate supervision, equipment failures, and unsafe conditions.
California Sky Zone Injury Lawyers
If you or a family member has been injured at a Sky Zone facility, time limits apply to filing legal claims. California’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of injury, though exceptions may apply in certain circumstances.
Documentation plays a crucial role in building a strong case:
- Seek immediate medical attention and maintain all medical records
- Report the incident to facility management and request written documentation
- Preserve any photographic evidence of the scene or equipment involved
- Obtain contact information for witnesses
- Keep records of all expenses related to the injury
Knowing your rights after a trampoline park injury can help ensure you receive appropriate compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Contact Penney & Associates
If you or your child has been seriously injured at Sky Zone or another trampoline park, contact Penney & Associates today for a free consultation by calling us at (800) 616-4529 or filling out our contact us form. With locations across California, we’re always within easy reach. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will review your case and help you understand your legal options.
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