“Employees are specifically instructed by management to NOT call 911 … staff have never received any safety training and there is no safety plan … staff have been told by management to down-play injuries.” These words were not written by a lawyer in a courtroom; they were written by a parent in a public review of the Urban Air park right here in Southlake after her daughter suffered a broken ankle. It is a sentiment we hear echoed in hospital waiting rooms and trauma bays across Tarrant County.
One bounce. One bad landing. One life altered forever. At the trampoline parks serving Southlake, a Saturday afternoon birthday party can transition from laughter to a catastrophic medical emergency in less than two seconds. While your child is being rushed to a pediatric trauma center like Cook Children’s in Fort Worth or Children’s Medical Center Dallas, the park’s risk management team is already working. They are relying on the digital signature you gave at the kiosk and the teenaged “court monitors” they hired at minimum wage to shield them from accountability.
We are The Manginello Law Firm—Attorney911. We represent families, we represent children, and we represent the parent standing at a hospital bedside as a surgeon explains what happens when a growth plate is destroyed at age nine. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, brings over 25 years of experience in catastrophic injury litigation and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Our team includes associate attorney Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense lawyer who used to represent the very same recreational businesses and insurers we now fight. He knows their playbook because he helped write it. He knows which waiver clauses hold up in Texas courts and, more importantly, he knows which ones are full of holes.
If your family’s life changed in one jump at a Southlake trampoline park or because of a defective backyard trampoline in neighborhoods like Timarron or Continental Park, you need more than a generalist. You need a firm that treats you like family—as our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” You need a firm that knows ASTM F2970 by heart and is currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university involving rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure—the exact physiological breakdown seen in trampoline crush and exertion injuries.
The Reality of Trampoline Injuries in Southlake and Tarrant County
Southlake is a community that values youth sports and active lifestyles. From the competitive world of South Dragon athletics to local cheer and gymnastics programs, our children are often high-performing athletes. It is no coincidence that Southlake was the original home of the Urban Air franchise, with its corporate headquarters located just minutes away in Grapevine. This region is the epicenter of the trampoline park industry expansion.
However, the growth of this industry has come at a staggering cost. Nationally, more than 300,000 trampoline-related emergency room visits occur every year. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, an investigation by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram documented 500 injury reports at 21 area trampoline parks over a seven-year period. These aren’t just “freak accidents.” They are the predictable output of a business model that scales high-velocity equipment to industrial throughput while minimizing the cost of supervision.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been clear since 1999: trampolines do not belong in a recreational setting for children. This position was reaffirmed in 2012 and 2019. Despite this quarter-century of medical consensus, parks like Sky Zone, Urban Air, and Altitude continue to market themselves as “Safe Family Fun.” They operate under ASTM F2970, a voluntary standard the trampoline industry largely wrote for itself to establish a safety floor. When a park in Southlake chooses to operate below that floor—by understaffing courts or ignoring age-separation rules—they aren’t just being careless. They are making a business decision to accept a known risk to your child’s life to protect their profit margins.
Why the “Waiver” You Signed at the Kiosk Isn’t a Wall
The first thing an insurance adjuster will tell you when you call to report a broken femur or a spinal trauma is that you signed a waiver. They want you to believe that the iPad kiosk where you scrolled through twenty screens in the Southlake lobby ended your case before it began.
They are wrong.
In Texas, waivers are subject to the “fair notice” and “express negligence” doctrine established in Dresser Industries, Inc. v. Page Petroleum, Inc. If the waiver fails to use the specific word “negligence” conspicuously, it can be voided. Furthermore, the Texas landmark case Munoz v. II Jaz, Inc. established that a parent generally cannot sign away a minor child’s personal injury cause of action in advance. The child’s right to recovery belongs to the child, not the parent, and most Texas courts will not allow a business to use a parent’s signature as a shield against the consequences of harming a minor.
The most powerful rebuttal to the waiver defense in Texas is the Cosmic Jump $11.485 million verdict in Harris County. In that case, a 16-year-old fell through a torn trampoline slide onto concrete and suffered a traumatic brain injury. The jury found the operator grossly negligent because they had actual knowledge of the defect and did nothing. In Texas, a waiver cannot release a party from gross negligence. When we find evidence that a Southlake park knew about a compressed foam pit or a frayed net and allowed jumping anyway, the waiver stops mattering.
The 5-Layer Defendant Stack: Who Really Pays?
When we litigate a trampoline injury case in Tarrant County, we don’t just sue the local venue. Most individual parks are single-location LLCs with limited assets and primary insurance policies of $1 million to $2 million—roughly the cost of a single year of attendant care for a ventilator-dependent child. To recover what your child actually needs, we go upstream.
- The Operator LLC: The entity that owns the specific Southlake location.
- The Franchisee: often a multi-unit group that owns several parks across DFW and Austin.
- The Franchisor: Corporate entities like UATP Management LLC (Urban Air), Sky Zone Franchising LLC, or Altitude Franchise Holdings. In the $15.6 million Damion Collins arbitration award in 2023, the franchisor absorbed 40% of the fault because of a “systemic failure” to implement safety changes.
- The Corporate Parent: National conglomerates like Sky Zone, Inc. (backed by Palladium Equity Partners) or Unleashed Brands (backed by Seidler Equity Partners). We have fought Fortune 500 companies like BP; the private equity sponsors behind these chains do not intimidate us.
- The Manufacturer: If a mat tore, a weld broke, or a net failed, the manufacturer of that component bears strict product liability.
The Evidence Clock: Why the Next 7 to 30 Days Are Critical
While you are focused on orthopedic surgeries and physical therapy, the evidence of what happened is already disappearing. Trampoline park surveillance DVRs in Southlake typically overwrite in as little as 7 to 30 days. The incident report you saw a manager fill out can be “revised” on their computer system with metadata that becomes harder to subpoena every day. The teenage monitor you saw on his phone at the moment of the collision may quit or be transferred within the month.
Our spoliation and preservation-of-evidence letters go out within 24 hours of our firm being retained. We demand the native video files, the time-clock records, the daily inspection logs, and the version-history of the waiver kiosk. We don’t just “gather evidence”; we use forensic protocols. If the park claims the video “glitched”—as was the case in a $3.5 million Georgia verdict where four cameras failed simultaneously—we know how to argue for an adverse inference instruction that tells the jury to assume the missing video would have proven the park’s guilt.
Catastrophic Pediatric Injuries: Beyond the Initial ER Bill
A trampoline injury to a child is biomechanically distinct from an adult injury. Pediatric bone is more pliable and contains open growth plates known as physes. A Salter-Harris fracture—particularly common in double-bounce energy transfer accidents—can disrupt bone growth for a decade. A child injured at age eight in Southlake may not show the full extent of a limb-length discrepancy or angular deformity until they hit their growth spurt at age fourteen.
Similarly, we watch for SCIWORA (Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality). A child may land on their head in a foam pit that has compacted past the 8-inch ASTM F2970 specification, feel “neck stiffness,” and have a “normal” CT scan, only to develop life-altering cord ischemia hours later.
Because we are currently litigating a $10 million rhabdomyolysis case, we are also uniquely equipped to handle cases where Southlake children develop “cola-colored” urine and acute kidney failure after jumping for 90-plus minutes in high-heat indoor environments. We understand the myoglobin cascade and how to hold institutional defendants accountable for failing to enforce hydration and rest protocols.
Why Southlake Families Choose Attorney911
We are not a volume-based personal injury mill. We handle complex, high-stakes litigation against deep-pocketed corporate defendants. We offer a contingency fee model—you pay absolutely nothing unless we win. We advance every cost, from the biomechanical engineer who reconstructs the 4x launch force of a double-bounce to the life-care planner who calculates your child’s 50-year medical needs.
Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña habla con usted directamente—sin intérpretes. If you signed a waiver in English but your primary language is Spanish, the doctrine of Delfingen US-Texas v. Valenzuela may allow us to invalidate the agreement entirely.
If your child has been catastrophically injured at a trampoline park in Southlake, or if a defective product like a Jumpking, Skywalker, or Springfree trampoline has failed your family, the case is decided by what gets preserved this week. The park has a system for denying claims. We have a system for winning them.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. Your consultation is free, and the case starts today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trampoline Injuries in Southlake
Can I sue if I signed the trampoline park waiver in Southlake?
Yes. Despite what the park manager or their insurance adjuster tells you, a signed waiver is not an automatic bar to recovery in Texas. Under the Dresser fair-notice doctrine, the waiver must be exceptionally clear and conspicuous to release ordinary negligence. Most importantly, Texas law—under the Munoz and Moriel precedents—prohibits waivers from releasing gross negligence or from automatically extinguishing the independent tort rights of a minor child. If the park violated ASTM F2970 safety standards, such as monitor-to-jumper ratios or foam pit maintenance, the waiver likely will not protect them.
What is a “double bounce” and why did it break my child’s leg?
A double bounce occurs when two people on a single trampoline bed jump out of sync. When a heavier jumper (like an adult or an older teen) lands just as a lighter child is pushing off, the energy transfer through the mat can multiply the child’s launch force by up to 400%. The child isn’t just jumping; they are being catapulted. This physics is precisely why ASTM F2970 requires age and weight separation. When Southlake parks ignore these rules to maximize throughput, they are accepting a known risk of shattering a child’s tibia or femur.
How much is a trampoline park injury settlement worth in Texas?
Case value is determined by the severity of the injury, the evidence of gross negligence, and the depth of the insurance tower. In Harris County, a recent jury returned an $11.485 million verdict for a traumatic brain injury. Small children with Salter-Harris growth plate fractures often see recoveries in the $500,000 to $2 million range because of the need for lifetime medical monitoring. Catastrophic spinal cord injuries can reach eight-figure valuations because the lifetime cost of care for a quadriplegic child often exceeds $15 million. We look beyond the ER bill to calculate every dollar of future care, special education, and lost earning capacity.
Are trampoline parks in Texas regulated by the state?
No. There is a massive regulatory gap in Texas. While the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) regulates Class B inflatable rides (like the bungee tramps or inflatable obstacles sometimes found in parks), the core trampoline decks are statutorily excluded under Tex. Occ. Code § 2151.002. This means Texas trampoline parks are essentially self-regulated. They aren’t required to report injuries to the state or undergo state safety inspections. This lack of oversight is exactly why aggressive civil litigation is the only way to hold these facilities accountable.
They wouldn’t call 911 at the park—is that legal?
While few statutes explicitly mandate a 911 call, every business invitee in Southlake is owed a duty of reasonable care. Delaying or discouraging emergency medical care is a gross violation of that duty. In some Southlake-area parks, parents have publicly alleged that management specifically instructs staff not to call 911 to avoid documenting the severity of injuries. We treat “Don’t Call 911” protocols as evidence of gross negligence and conscious indifference to child safety. It is a powerful argument for punitive damages.
How long do I have to file a trampoline injury lawsuit in Southlake?
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003, the standard statute of limitations is two years. For minors, this clock is “tolled” until they turn 18, meaning they technically have until they turn 20 to file. However, waiting even six months is often fatal to a case. The evidence—surveillance video, attendant training logs, and the specific equipment that failed—disappears in weeks. We urge Southlake parents to call us immediately after the accident while the DVR footage is still within the 7 to 30-day retention window.
Who is liable if a neighbor’s kid gets hurt on our backyard trampoline?
Backyard trampolines are governed by the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. Even if a child was not explicitly invited (a trespasser), a Southlake homeowner can be liable if they had a hazardous condition on their property that was likely to attract a child who couldn’t appreciate the risk. Most homeowners’ insurance policies in Tarrant County actually EXCLUDE trampoline injuries, which means you may be personally on the hook unless you have a specific endorsement or a separate umbrella policy. We identify every layer, including claims against the manufacturer for failing to warn about the 1999 AAP anti-backyard-trampoline policy.
Is my child’s dark urine after a trampoline visit a medical emergency?
Yes. If your child has cola-colored or tea-colored urine, extreme muscle pain, and listlessness 12 to 48 hours after jumping, they may be suffering from exertional rhabdomyolysis. This is a catastrophic breakdown of muscle tissue that floods the kidneys with myoglobin. It can lead to acute kidney failure and permanent organ damage. Go to an emergency room immediately and request a creatine kinase (CK) blood test. We are currently litigating a $10 million UH rhabdo case and understand exactly how to build this medical evidence against a park that failed to provide hydration and rest breaks.
Can we sue for an infection like MRSA from a foam pit?
Yes. Foam pits are notorious bacterial reservoirs. The open-cell polyurethane cubes absorb sweat, saliva, and blood, and they cannot be effectively sanitized because the interior of the blocks is inaccessible to cleaning sprays. If your child developed staph, MRSA, or necrotizing fasciitis after spending time in a foam pit at a park serving Southlake, the liability theory is premises liability and negligent sanitation. The waiver does NOT cover the transmission of infectious diseases from under-maintained equipment.
Why choose Ralph Manginello and Attorney911?
Because the parent conglomerates behind Southlake parks like Sky Zone and Urban Air hire national corporate defense firms to silence families. We’ve been where they are. Ralph Manginello has challenged multinational corporations like BP and won multi-million dollar settlements. Lupe Peña knows the insurance side’s tactics because he used to defend them. We advance all costs, we speak your language, and we treat your family’s recovery as our own.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. Hablamos Español. No fee unless we win.
A Parent’s Guide to Southlake Trampoline Parks and Safety
Not all parks are operated equally. Before you pay for a wristband at an Urban Air, Altitude, or Sky Zone in the Tarrant County area, we recommend a five-minute safety check.
1. The Monitor Ratio
ASTM F2970 suggests a monitor-to-jumper ratio of approximately 1:32 for open-court jumping, and it should be much tighter for high-risk areas like foam pits or stunt bags. If you see one teenager trying to watch 50 kids on a single court while scrolling on their phone, the park is in active violation of industry safety standards.
2. The Foam Pit vs. Airbag Shift
The leading edge of safety in this industry is the shift away from foam pits. Because foam pits are implicated in catastrophic neck breaks and MRSA infections, many responsible operators have switched to pressurized airbags. If a Southlake facility is still using a foam pit in 2026, they are using a legacy attraction that the industry itself has admitted is less safe.
3. Padding and Mat Maintenance
Walk the perimeter. If you see springs showing, or if the “padding” feels like it’s just a thin layer of vinyl over metal, step off. The $1.25 million Rebounderz Edison settlement was a “known hazard” case involving exposed springs. Small gaps between the mats are where ankles and growth plates are most vulnerable.
4. Age and Weight Segregation
Texas physics doesn’t care about a “Toddler Time” marketing slogan. If the park allows fourteen-year-olds on the same court as three-year-olds, they are ignoring the Nysted 14x injury multiplier. A responsible operator will be militant about separating sizes. An irresponsible one will let them mix because it’s easier to manage the floor.
5. Staff Certification
Ask the manager on duty: “How many staff members currently on the floor are CPR and first-aid certified? Does this facility have an operable AED?” In states like Utah and New York, this is mandatory. In Texas, it isn’t. If the park can’t answer, they are gambling that no one will have a cardiac event or a respiratory stall after a cervical injury.
The Life-Care Plan: Building Your Child’s Future
When your daughter is hurt on a Sky Rider zipline or a Southlake climbing wall, the medical bills you see today—the ER, the surgery, the cast—represent only the first six months. Her case isn’t worth those bills; it’s worth what the next seventy years of her life will cost.
Our firm builds a Pediatric Life-Care Plan. We work with certified life care planners and pediatric physiatrists to forecast every medically necessary cost your child will incur:
- Pediatric orthopedist monitoring through skeletal maturity.
- Corrective osteotomies if a growth plate fails to produce bone correctly.
- Physical therapy intervals every three to five years.
- Orthotic and prosthetic replacements.
- Educational accommodations for a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Lost earning capacity in adulthood.
We then work with forensic economists to reduce that forecast to present value. This is how we ensure that a settlement doesn’t just pay off the hospital; it funds your child’s entire future.
Southlake’s Local Risk Factors: Climate and Demographics
The North Texas climate plays a hidden role in trampoline safety. In neighborhoods like Westwyck Hills, a backyard trampoline bought at a big-box retailer in 2018 has likely survived extreme heat, high-UV Sun Belt exposure, and the freezing cycles of North Texas winters. This cycle rapidly degrades the polypropylene netting and pits the springs with micro-rust. A net that looks intact may have lost 80% of its tensile strength. When it fails, the child falls to hard-packed Texas dirt or concrete patio pavers.
In our Southlake practice, we also see a high volume of multi-generational family gatherings—quinceañeras and large birthday parties—at parks like The Rush or Urban Air. Often, a grandmother, an aunt, or a family friend signs the waiver because the legal guardian is at work or parking the car. Texas Family Code § 153.073 says only a legal parent or court-appointed conservator has the authority to sign for a child. A non-guardian signature destroys the waiver’s footing as to that child.
Evidence Checklist for Southlake Parents
If an injury has occurred, move in this order:
- Medical First: 911 or Cook Children’s ER. Do not let the park talk you out of calling paramedics.
- Scene Photos: Before you leave, or within 24 hours. Photograph the specific mat, the monitor’s station, and the “Don’t do flips” signs if the park claims they were there.
- Waiver Capture: Take a photo of the iPad screen or your email confirmation ID.
- Employee Names: Not just the person who gave you ice, but the person who was watching the court.
- Call Attorney911: We send the spoliation letter that stops the DVR from overwriting.
The park’s lawyers are already building their file. They’ll wait for the video to disappear, for the employees to leave, and for your medical bills to pile up so high that you feel pressured to take a low settlement.
We don’t let them. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with BP, Walmart, and Amazon. The private equity groups behind the trampoline chains don’t bring anything we haven’t beaten before.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Hablamos Español. No fee unless we win. Three Texas locations serving Southlake and families nationwide.
