If you or your child has been injured at a trampoline park because the operator was negligent, you can claim compensation. Operators owe visitors a duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. A waiver signed at the entrance cannot exclude liability for personal injury caused by negligence. Adults have three years to claim; children have until their 21st birthday.
Trampoline parks have become hugely popular in the UK, but the injury rate is significant. Fractures, spinal injuries and concussions are common, particularly among children. While trampolining carries inherent risks, a park operator must take reasonable steps to manage those risks. When they fail — through overcrowding, poor supervision, defective equipment or lax safety rules — and a visitor is injured as a result, the operator may be liable. This guide explains how trampoline park injury claims work.
What the operator should do
A trampoline park operator must:
- Limit user numbers per trampoline and per zone to prevent collisions.
- Separate users by age, size and ability to reduce the risk of a child being landed on by an adult.
- Provide trained supervision — staff who can intervene when rules are broken.
- Maintain equipment to the manufacturer's or industry (e.g. IATP) standards, including replacing worn padding and springs.
- Enforce safety rules — banning somersaults where appropriate, prohibiting multiple users per trampoline, and requiring grip socks.
- Carry out risk assessments under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Failure on any of these points, where it leads to injury, can amount to negligence.
✓ Waivers do not protect negligent operators
Almost every trampoline park asks visitors to sign a waiver. Under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, section 2(1), a business cannot exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by its own negligence. The waiver is not a defence to a legitimate claim.
How much compensation?
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), 17th edition (April 2024), value the injury by type and severity. Common trampoline park injuries and representative brackets:
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Simple wrist or ankle fracture, full recovery | £4,670 – £8,640 |
| Moderate leg fracture | £10,350 – £19,200 |
| Serious fracture with lasting limitation | £21,700 – £137,080 |
| Minor head injury, full recovery | £2,580 – £14,720 |
| Moderate spinal injury | £16,090 – £44,740 |
Special damages for lost earnings, treatment and care are added. For children's claims, the full effect on future education and career prospects is also considered. See broken bone claims and how compensation works.
Claims for children
Children cannot bring a claim themselves. A parent or litigation friend acts on their behalf. The limitation period for a child does not begin until their 18th birthday, so they have until they turn 21. Courts approve any settlement to ensure it is fair, and the compensation is held in a Court Funds Office account until the child reaches 18. See our claiming for a child guide.
Time limits
Three years from the date of injury for adults (Limitation Act 1980). For children, three years from their 18th birthday. See our time limits guide.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. For an SRA-regulated solicitor experienced in occupiers' liability claims, use the SRA register or the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service. Citizens Advice can provide free guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for a trampoline park injury?
Yes, if the trampoline park operator was negligent. Operators owe visitors a duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 and must follow the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. If your injury was caused by inadequate supervision, faulty equipment, overcrowding, or a failure to enforce safety rules, you can claim.
Does a waiver signed at the trampoline park prevent me from claiming?
No. Under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977 section 2(1), a business cannot exclude or restrict its liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence. A waiver or disclaimer signed at the door does not prevent you from claiming if the park's negligence caused your injury.
Can I claim for my child's trampoline park injury?
Yes. A parent or litigation friend can bring a claim on behalf of a child. Children have until their 21st birthday to claim (three years from turning 18). Trampoline parks owe a heightened duty of care to children because they are less able to assess risks for themselves.
What are common trampoline park injuries?
The most common injuries include broken bones (especially wrists, ankles and legs), spinal injuries from landing badly, concussion and head injuries, ligament and tendon damage, and collisions with other users. Falls from trampolines onto hard surfaces and landing in the foam pit at awkward angles are frequent causes.
How long do I have to claim for a trampoline park injury?
Three years from the date of the injury for adults, under the Limitation Act 1980. For children, the three-year clock does not start until their 18th birthday, giving them until they are 21.
What should the trampoline park have done to prevent injuries?
Operators should limit the number of users per trampoline, separate age groups and ability levels, provide adequate trained supervision, maintain equipment to manufacturer standards, enforce rules against dangerous moves, and ensure padding covers all hard edges and frames. Failure on any of these points can amount to negligence.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance
- HSE — health and safety at leisure venues
Related guides: broken bone claims, gym and sports injury claims, claiming for a child, how to make a claim and no win, no fee explained.