Injuries and lawsuits
Sky Zone has been the subject of individual and class-action lawsuits due to injuries that have occurred in its trampoline parks.[21] According to research from the Children's Hospital Colorado, presented through the American Academy of Pediatrics, the likelihood of sustaining a trampoline injury was 32% greater at a trampoline park than at home.[22][23]
To warn customers of injuries and discourage risky behavior, the company requires customers to watch a safety video, and sign waivers acknowledging the inherent danger of trampolining.[21] The company also trains its employees to separate customers by size, but investigative reports suggest that those guidelines are not always followed. The waivers also require injuries to be addressed by arbitration.[21]
In 2017, a three-year-old suffered a broken bone at a "toddler time" jump activity offered by a Florida Sky Zone after an impact with a mat. Two years previously, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons stated that children under six should not be allowed to use trampolines, due to safety concerns.[24]
On September 12, 2020, an estimated 700 to 1000 people, mostly children, were trapped inside a Sky Zone park in Orland Park, Illinois during a large scale fight that included 200 children. The Sky Zone was shut down for safety violations, and reopened after going to court for an emergency order to stay in business.[25] The park sued to retain its business license and in December 2021 was allowed to remain open after agreeing to implement additional security and other safety measures.[26]
In November 2021, nearly 200 teenagers were involved in a brawl at a Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Tampa, Florida.[27] The park closed, and was evacuated, but the fight moved outside into the parking lot.[28] No arrests were made.[28]
A news investigation revealed a pattern of recurring injuries at Sky Zone parks, including broken bones. These injuries, the investigation found, were caused by people getting their feet caught in the trampolines' metal frame or by being fallen on by others.[29] A lawsuit connected to this investigation alleged dangerous design flaws, and pointed to internal Sky Zone worker manuals that warn about dangers with the pads, a warning reportedly not given to customers.[29]
Adults have also been part of these patterns of injuries. Joba Chamberlain, former New York Yankees pitcher, suffered from extreme blood loss after breaking his ankle at a Sky Zone park in 2012.[30]
