Kids love jumping on trampolines, but these recreational items can be extremely dangerous. If you are planning on purchasing a trampoline for your children, you will need to take steps to protect yourself and your assets. In 2010, there were over 92,000 reported trampoline accidents, and you must know how to avoid being slapped with a personal injury lawsuit. Here are three things you may want to do for protection.
Keep It Safe
Accidents on trampolines can occur for many reasons, including:
- Worn-out equipment
- More than one jumper at a time
- Failing to follow other safety precautions
One of the first steps to take is to make sure your trampoline is on level ground and that it is away from trees and other objects. You should also routinely inspect it to make sure that it is in good working condition, and that it is safe to use. Placing a net around it can also help prevent accidents.
You may also want to create a list of rules for your kids to follow, and for anyone else that plans on jumping on it.
Require Waivers
If you are planning on letting other kids play on the trampoline, you may want to type out a list of rules, along with a waiver form. Before any child is allowed to jump on the device, you may want to present this form to the child's parents. Let the parents know that your trampoline is as safe as possible, but that you do not want to be held responsible if an accident happens.
While the waiver may not completely protect you, it can help prevent people from filing lawsuits.
Get Insurance Coverage
The third step to take is to get insurance coverage. Trampoline coverage is often an option you can add to your home insurance policy, but you should realize that many insurance companies do not offer this type of coverage because the risks are too high.
An option you have with insurance coverage is adding umbrella liability coverage to your policy. This type of coverage adds extra protection against injuries and accidents that occur on your property. If someone gets injured and sues you, this coverage is likely to pay the settlement amount.
It is hard to completely protect yourself if you own a trampoline, but these three steps should help with the majority of issues that might arise. If someone ends up suing you for an injury, you may want to hire a personal injury attorney to represent you.
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