Bounce house injuries can be serious and sometimes fatal. If you or your child has been injured in a bounce house or other inflatable amusement, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent party to recover compensation for your medical bills, expenses and pain and suffering. The attorneys at the law firm Florin|Roebig have considerable experience handling complex personal injury cases, including those involving product liability.
Bounce House Popularity
Inflatable attractions include bounce houses, slides, obstacle courses, bouncy games, and others. These devices have become increasingly popular over the years and are well-loved by children and adults alike. If you’re like most parents, you’re familiar with the stress of hosting a kid’s birthday party or event.
For adults who are facing the daunting task of entertaining multiple high-energy children, renting a bounce house may seem like a no-brainer. After all, most rental companies claim their inflatable play structures are a safe way to have fun. However, it turns out that bounce houses may not be as safe as you think.
Bounce House Injuries on the Rise
Bounce houses, also known as moon bounces, are not only found at birthday parties. They are also a common attraction at fairs, festivals, carnivals, amusement parks, and other events.
Statistics show that bounce houses are the most dangerous inflatable attraction, with related injuries accounting for thousands of emergency room visits annually in the United States. According to the Child Injury Prevention Alliance, the number of injuries associated with inflatable bouncy houses has soared over the last 20 years to more than 30 children injured every day.
A study by the University of Georgia found that bouncer-related injuries account for an upwards of 10,000 emergency room visits every year in the U.S., with at least 479 people injured and 28 deaths worldwide from 2000 through 2021. However, the researchers cautioned that these numbers were likely undercounted, as the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated more than 18,000 inflatable-related injuries treated in emergency departments nationwide in 2018 alone, before the study began.
Injuries sustained from a bounce house accident can vary greatly, but the most commonly reported ones include:
- Broken bones, especially in arms, hands, legs and feet
- Head and neck injuries, including concussions
- Tooth loss
- Cuts and bruises
- Sprains and strains
Worst Bounce House Accidents in Florida, Texas, Minnesota and Colorado
Over the years, we’ve seen numerous news reports about bounce houses causing severe injuries and even fatalities. The following lists some of the worst bounce house accidents in states where Florin|Roebig practices.
Florida Bounce House Accidents
Orlando (2017):
- Incident: An Orlando church’s family day turned dangerous when a sudden strong gust of wind lifted a bounce house with children inside off the ground. The accident injured four children and one adult who was trying to hold the inflatable house down. The adult and two of the children had injuries severe enough to warrant a hospital visit.
- Florin|Roebig Approach: Our firm would investigate the rental company’s adherence to safety standards and proper anchoring procedures. We’d gather expert testimony on proper installation techniques and safety requirements to establish negligence and pursue compensation for the serious injuries sustained.
Fort Lauderdale (2015):
- Incident: At a city Memorial Day event on Fort Lauderdale beach, a waterspout made landfall, turning into a small tornado that uprooted a bounce house with three children inside. Two young girls, ages 5 and 6, and a boy, age 11, were seriously injured, including broken bones and psychological trauma.
- Florin|Roebig Approach: The focus would be on the failure of the event organizer and rental company to monitor weather conditions and ensure the bounce house was appropriately secured. Our firm would utilize expert analysis on weather monitoring and safe operational practices to build a case for compensatory damages.
Texas Bounce House Accidents
Zapata County (2024):
- Incident: A 5-year-old child died in a bounce house accident when a gust of wind lifted it off the ground. A 3-year-old was also injured in the same incident.
- Florin|Roebig Approach: Our firm would investigate the rental company’s compliance with safety anchoring requirements and weather monitoring protocols. Our attorneys would examine whether proper safety measures were in place and gather expert testimony on wind conditions and safe operation practices to establish negligence and pursue wrongful death damages for the family.
Houston (2016):
- Incident: During a school carnival, a strong gust of wind blew a bounce house at least 30 yards across a football field, injuring 10 people inside the inflatable. The house stopped after hitting a fence. While some were transported for medical care, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
- Florin|Roebig Approach: Our team would examine compliance with state regulations and safety protocols by the carnival organizers and rental company. They would likely file a lawsuit focusing on breach of duty in maintaining a safe environment, pushing for a settlement that covers medical costs, emotional distress and other damages.
Minnesota Bounce House Accidents
Specific bounce house accidents in Minnesota weren’t found in our research. Minnesota’s detailed inflatable regulations (Minn. Stat. §184B.20) and incident-logging requirements for amusement rides might reduce public reporting outside of formal logs. However, this state likely has its share of inflatable-related injuries.
Colorado Bounce House Accidents
Lakewood (2020):
- Incident: A 10-year-old boy was injured at a friend’s birthday party at an individual’s home when the bouncy house he was in was suddenly picked up by a gust of wind and slammed into a brick wall. The child sustained critical injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, internal injuries and multiple broken ribs that required prolonged hospitalization and numerous surgeries.
- Florin|Roebig Approach: Our firm would investigate who and how the inflatable was anchored to learn whether it was tied down appropriately and to determine where liability lies. Family members estimate the child’s medical bills had already reached a million dollars, with more medical treatments required, making compensation vital to their financial well-being and the child’s ongoing medical care.
Littleton (2014):
- Incident: A young girl was injured when a bouncy house set up during a lacrosse game started to blow away in the wind. She was thrown about 8 feet into the air. A young boy who was trapped inside as the inflatable tumbled about 200 to 300 feet was also injured. Neither child suffered serious injuries.
- Florin|Roebig Approach: We’d investigate the rental company’s adherence to proper anchoring procedures and gather expert testimony on wind conditions to establish negligence. Our team would also question the manufacturer, which didn’t respond to a request for comment by local media.
Florin|Roebig’s attorneys are prepared to handle cases in all states where we practice, applying the same thorough investigative approach and legal expertise regardless of location.
How To Prevent Bounce House Injuries
While some bounce house injuries are unavoidable, many can be prevented. In recent years, the frequency of injuries associated with inflatable play structures has increased.
Some safety tips you can implement to lower your child’s risk of injury when bouncing include:
- Always ensure there’s adult supervision at all times. Don’t ever leave children unattended while they’re inside the bounce house.
- Don’t set up or allow the people installing the inflatable to situate it near trees, branches, power lines, pools or fences.
- Monitor weather conditions closely. Stop using the bounce house if it begins to rain, there’s lightning or the wind picks up. Consider deflating the inflatable if high winds occur.
- Limit bounce house use to kids who are 6 years of age and older. Younger children shouldn’t be permitted to enter the inflatable.
- Follow all recommended safety guidelines, including the total limit of kids allowed inside the bounce house at one time.
- Make sure the equipment is installed correctly. The inflatable should be adequately anchored through the use of metal stakes and/or sandbags.
- Only allow children to enter the inflatable device after they empty their pockets and remove their shoes, jewelry and eyeglasses.
- To avoid head and neck injuries, don’t allow children to do flips or somersaults.
- Kids in bounce houses should be close in size and age. Adults shouldn’t bounce while children are present.
- No food, drink or chewing gum should be permitted inside or around the inflatable device.
- Pets and toys shouldn’t be allowed in or on any type of inflatable attraction.
- If the bounce house starts to deflate, evacuate all occupants immediately. Then, check to see if the unit has been unplugged.
- Under no circumstances should you move the inflatable device from the place where the company originally installed it.
Thousands of kids are injured each year in bounce houses and other inflatables. It’s essential to hire a reputable company to supply and install an inflatable amusement. Check to make sure they carry liability insurance and have no pending lawsuits against them. When children are bouncing, it’s your responsibility to stay alert. If you fail to do so and an injury occurs, you could be held liable for damages.
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What Are the Causes of Bounce House Injuries?
As inflatable rides rise in popularity, exposure to the devices has increased. More exposure has led to a greater occurrence of bounce house accidents, and subsequently, the rate of injury has skyrocketed.
Common causes of bounce house injuries include, but aren’t limited to:
- Excessive number of children in the bounce house at one time
- Lack of adult supervision
- People of different ages and weights in the inflatable
- Equipment failure and faulty installation
- Severe weather, including high winds and rain
- Improper anchoring or securing of the bounce house
- Inadequate safety inspections before use
- Operating the bounce house beyond manufacturer recommendations
Weather-related events are often to blame as the primary factor involved in accidents, with high winds the dominant hazard. Castles and other enclosed house-like structures trap warmer air inside, making them act similarly to a hot air balloon. When they’re poorly secured and the wind kicks up, it’s a recipe for disaster. When bounce houses are dragged, rolled over or sent airborne, kids are often the victims of serious injuries, including death in severe accidents.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Inflatable Ride Injuries?
After you or someone you love sustains serious injuries due to someone else’s carelessness, you may be wondering if you can file a lawsuit to recover damages. The foundation for a successful personal injury claim is being able to prove liability and negligence.
To win a case, you or your lawyer must demonstrate that the responsible party owed a duty of care and breached that duty of care, causing injury and the damages that you or your child incurred.
The following parties may be held liable for inflatable structure-related injuries:
- The bounce house operator or supervisor
- The equipment owners
- The installers of the inflatable attraction
- The renter (person, group, entity or organization) that leased the inflatable device
- The bounce house manufacturer that designed a faulty product
- The owner of the property where the accident occurred
- Event organizers who failed to provide adequate safety oversight
- Maintenance companies that were responsible for equipment inspection
Determining who’s at fault in a bounce house accident can be extremely complicated and often requires legal advice. Consult with the dedicated team of personal injury lawyers at Florin|Roebig to help you determine liability and pursue legal action against the responsible party or parties.
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Bounce House Accident Attorney
The first thing you should do after you or your kid is injured in an inflatable bounce house is to seek medical treatment. Then, you should call a qualified, top-rated lawyer for a free consultation to learn whether you’re entitled to compensation.
At Florin|Roebig, your child’s injury is important to us. We want to help you hold the bounce house company, insurance company or any other negligent party accountable for their actions. We’re focused on the attorney-client relationship and pride ourselves on providing quality representation that delivers real results.
Contact the award-winning personal injury attorneys at Florin|Roebig for a free case review and explore your legal options today.
