New Study Shows the Danger of Inflatable Bouncers

Inflatable bouncers such as moonwalks and bounce houses have become extremely popular in the last several years.  Parents often rent them for private parties, having them assembled on their private property for a specific event. Many times you see these inflatable play houses at carnivals and fairs.  There are even entire facilities that cater to young children’s birthday parties in which multiple inflatable bouncers are set up specifically for entertainment purposes.

Young children find inflatable play sets extremely enjoyable, but all too often these large bouncers are unsupervised and overcrowded with children of all different ages. As a result, thousands of children are injured each year.  A recently published study shows that the number of personal injuries among children playing on these inflatable bouncers is on the rise.

Research Findings Show Dramatic Increase in Injuries

The Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Research Institute undertook the first study of its kind that looked at nationwide data to investigate injuries related to inflatable bouncers.  The results of the study were published in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics.  The most significant finding of the study shows that there has been an alarming rise in the number of injuries from inflatable bouncers.  From 1995 through 2010, there was a 15-fold increase in the number of injuries that required treatment in an emergency room among children under the age of 18 years. Shockingly, the injury rate more than doubled between 2008 and 2010.  Data from the year 2010 showed that more than 30 children a day were evaluated and treated in an emergency room department for an injury linked to an inflatable bouncer.  This is equivalent to a child being injured about every 45 minutes.  The Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger find those numbers alarming.

Children can be injured while playing on a bouncer in several different ways.  The majority of all of the injuries are caused by falls when a child jumps off or out of an inflatable bouncer. In addition, attempts to perform a stunt such as a somersault or flip can be dangerous.  Finally, colliding with another child while jumping was cited as a common cause of personal injuries.

The most common injuries cited in the study were fractures accounting for 27.5 percent of the injuries.  Strains and/or sprains followed closely behind at 27.3 percent.  Nineteen percent of the injuries occurred to a child’s neck and head. Injuries can range from mild to severe including strains, fractures, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries and even death.

The injuries occurred most often at a recreational setting or at a private residence.  The researchers suggest that national safety guidelines may need to be developed in order to protect the children in this country and get this emerging epidemic under control.

Determining Liability in a “Bounce House” Accident

If a child is injured on an inflatable bouncer, it is important to contact a knowledgeable, experienced personal injury lawyer who is well versed in the several aspects of personal injury law, including premises liability and products liability.  A personal injury attorney will determine if the owner of the inflatable or the premises where it was located was liable for the child’s injuries. This may be the case if the owner failed to provide warnings and instructions on the use of the inflatable, failed to properly control the use of the inflatable with safety precautions and proper supervision, or failed to properly install or maintain inflatable.

In addition, as a result of the study’s documentation of the dangers of inflatables, it is not unreasonable to expect that inflatable’s manufacturer should provide safety warnings and instructions for these innately dangerous products. Moreover, without safety precautions built into the design and manufacture of the inflatables, they may actually be considered “defective”.

Each situation is different and the circumstances of the accident need to be investigated to determine the cause.  A skilled personal injury attorney can help injured children and their parents seek justice and compensation for a bounce house injury.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger- Helping Injured Individuals Get Justice

If you or a family member has been injured as a result of a defective product or the negligence of another person or entity, call the personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger in Philadelphia.  Our dedicated and compassionate team of skilled lawyers can help you seek justice and compensation for your child’s injuries.  Our injury lawyers handle all types of personal injury matters, including premises liability law and products liability cases. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, we serve all of southeastern Pennsylvania including Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, Bucks County and the Harrisburg and Allentown regions.  We also serve South Jersey clients. Call today at 1-800-222-USWA (8792) to schedule a confidential consultation or contact us online.