Arkansas Commercial Trampoline Park Lawyer

While trampoline parks are designed for entertainment, the injuries that occur inside them can be anything but minor, especially for children. High-impact landings, unpredictable collisions, and unsafe equipment frequently lead to serious trauma. Below are some of the most common major injuries sustained at trampoline parks, many of which can have long-term consequences for a child’s health and development.

• Fractures and Broken Bones: Awkward landings often result in broken bones in the legs, ankles, or arms – injuries that typically require surgery, casting, and lengthy recovery.
• Sprains and Dislocations: Intense jumping forces can twist or dislocate joints (like shoulders or ankles), sometimes damaging children’s growth plates (the softer developing bone tissue).
• Head and Brain Injuries: Falls or mid-air collisions can cause concussions or other traumatic brain injuries, with a serious risk of lasting cognitive impairment.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe neck or back trauma on a trampoline may cause spinal cord damage, potentially leading to paralysis or long-term nerve damage.
• Internal Injuries and Other Trauma: Hard landings or collisions can tear ligaments and even cause internal bleeding or organ damage, which may be life-threatening.

These major injuries are often life-altering for a child, hindering physical development, disrupting schooling and daily life, and diminishing overall quality of life. This makes pursuing full legal compensation critical to ensure the child’s medical care and future needs are fully covered.

If your child has suffered a serious injury at a trampoline park, contact Gates Law Firm, PLLC at (501) 779-8091 to speak with an experienced Arkansas commercial trampoline park lawyer about your legal rights and next steps.

In Arkansas, commercial trampoline parks fall under the Arkansas Amusement Ride and Amusement Attraction Safety Insurance Act (Ark. Code Ann. § 23-89-501 et seq.) and the Department of Labor’s safety regulations. Notably, state law does not exempt trampoline devices when they are part of a business charging admission. Arkansas explicitly lists “trampolines” among non-mechanized playground equipment that are normally exempt except when an admission fee is charged for their use or to enter the area where they’re located. This means a paid-entry trampoline park is generally treated as an “amusement attraction” subject to Arkansas’s safety rules, rather than a free-playground device.

Key Arkansas Trampoline Park Regulations

Commercial trampoline parks in Arkansas must comply with the same safety and insurance requirements that apply to amusement rides and attractions. These include:

Mandatory Insurance Coverage

Every operator must carry liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for any amusement ride or attraction that isn’t exempt. This requirement ensures that funds are available to cover injuries or property damage. Trampoline park operators cannot lawfully open without this insurance in place. Operating without the minimum insurance is a violation of state law and can trigger enforcement action.

State Registration & Inspection

Arkansas authorities actively regulate trampoline parks for safety. Operators are required to notify the Arkansas Department of Labor before opening or operating any new amusement attraction (which would include a trampoline park) in the state. An initial safety inspection by a state-certified amusement ride inspector must be performed at setup, and regular inspections are mandated going forward. 

Permanent amusement attractions operated for profit (like most trampoline parks) are inspected by the Department at least twice each year. Arkansas’s rules specifically note that patron-propelled attractions (such as inflatables, climbing walls, and, by extension, trampoline devices) must undergo safety inspection every six months. These inspections check that the park’s equipment, padding, anchoring, and overall operation meet the required safety standards. If an operator refuses inspection or operates without a current inspection certificate, the Department can issue a cease-and-desist order and penalties.

Safety Standards Compliance

Arkansas has adopted nationally recognized safety standards for the design, manufacture, and operation of amusement devices. The Department of Labor’s regulations incorporate ASTM International (F-24 Committee) standards for amusement rides and devices. In practice, trampoline parks are expected to follow applicable ASTM guidelines (for example, ASTM standards for trampoline courts and foam pits) as part of maintaining a safe environment.

Adherence to these standards covers everything from equipment specifications to having proper safety netting, padding, and trained staff on duty. If a trampoline park makes any major modifications to the equipment, those changes must still meet safety criteria. Failing to meet the “minimum safety standards” set by the state (for instance, lacking proper enclosures or safety padding) can result in the park being “red-tagged” (shut down) until the hazard is fixed. The law empowers state officials to order the immediate closure of any attraction deemed unsafe or not in compliance, with fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Accident Reporting and Investigations

If a serious injury or fatality occurs at a trampoline park, Arkansas regulations require the operator to cease operation immediately and report the incident to the Department of Labor within 4 hours (by phone) and follow up with a written accident report within 24 hours. The park must remain closed until state inspectors investigate the cause of the accident. This protocol is designed to ensure that evidence is preserved and any hazardous condition is addressed before reopening. 

Lesser incidents (like a defect that causes a ride to shut down for more than 3 hours) also must be reported in writing within 24 hours. Moreover, operators are required to keep on-site records of all injuries and maintenance for at least one year, and these records must be made available to state officials upon request.

How These Laws Impact Trampoline Park Injury Cases

For injured patrons, Arkansas’s regulatory framework can play a significant role in a personal injury claim. Because trampoline parks must follow the above safety rules, any violation may serve as evidence of negligence. For example, if an investigation finds that a park lacked the required safety features or skipped inspections, such regulatory non-compliance could strengthen an injured patron’s case that the park failed to exercise due care. In legal terms, breach of a safety statute or regulation intended to protect guests might even be argued as negligence per se. At the very least, proving that a trampoline park violated state standards (such as not having the mandated $1M insurance or ignoring ASTM design guidelines) helps show that the park did not meet the duty of care owed to customers.

On the other hand, compliance with state regulations does not automatically shield a trampoline park from liability. Even if a park is properly insured and has passed its inspections, it can still be liable for injuries caused by staff negligence or hidden dangers. However, the required $1,000,000 liability insurance is crucial for victims—it means there should be an insurance policy available to cover medical bills and damages in the event of an injury claim. I

Enforcement in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Labor is the agency that enforces amusement attraction safety. They have the authority to shut down unsafe trampoline parks on the spot and levy fines until compliance is achieved. For example, if inspectors find torn trampoline mats, inadequate padding, or structural issues, they can issue a “red tag” to prohibit use of that equipment until it’s repaired. These enforcement powers mean that safety issues might be corrected before they cause injury, but if they aren’t, the fact that a violation existed could be compelling in a lawsuit.

An accident at a trampoline park can leave any parent feeling shaken and overwhelmed. The moments immediately after your child is injured are stressful, and what you do next can affect your child’s health and your family’s legal rights. It’s important to stay as calm as possible and focus on a few key steps. 

• Seek Immediate Medical Care: Ensure your child receives professional medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor. Prompt treatment is crucial for their well-being and also creates an official record of the injuries. A doctor can diagnose and treat hidden injuries (children often downplay pain, and adrenaline can mask symptoms), so don’t delay in getting a medical evaluation.
• Report the Incident: Notify the trampoline park staff or manager about the accident as soon as possible. Ask them to document the incident and request a copy of their accident or incident report for your records. Having an official report helps establish when and where the injury happened and who witnessed it, which can be important later.
• Collect Evidence if Possible: If you can do so safely, gather evidence from the scene. Take photos or video of the area where the injury happened (the trampoline, surrounding equipment, any obvious hazards) and of your child’s injuries. If other people saw what happened, get their names and contact information. These details can be invaluable if you need to prove what caused the accident.
• Protect Your Rights: Be cautious about any documents or statements after the accident. Trampoline parks usually have you sign liability waivers, but don’t assume you’ve waived all your rights – even if a waiver is valid in Arkansas, it may not bar all types of claims if the park was negligent. Avoid making statements that blame yourself or your child. It’s okay to politely decline or say you need to consult a lawyer before signing anything.
• Save Records: Keep all documents and information related to the accident and your child’s injury. This includes medical records and bills, the incident report, and any communication with the park. If the trampoline park has security cameras, ask that any relevant surveillance footage be preserved. Many parks have cameras, and their footage could help show what happened – an attorney can help intervene quickly to make sure this critical video evidence is not lost.
• Consult a Trampoline Park Injury Lawyer: An experienced attorney can evaluate the situation, help protect your legal rights, and guide you through the process of seeking compensation while you focus on your child’s recovery. Trampoline park injury claims can be complicated (with waivers, insurance companies, and questions of negligence), so having a knowledgeable advocate on your side can make a big difference. 

You can stay in control of a chaotic situation and do what’s best for your child’s health and future with practical legal advice. Gates Law Firm, PLLC is here to support you and answer your questions. Our team can help you manage the legal issues while you concentrate on your child.

If you need guidance or assistance after a trampoline park accident, call us at (501) 779-8091. We’re ready to help your family find answers and pursue the justice you deserve.