In Harris County, Texas, a jury awarded $11.485 million—including $6 million in punitive damages—against the operator of Cosmic Jump after a 16-year-old fell through a torn trampoline slide onto concrete and suffered a traumatic brain injury. The waiver was signed. The jury found gross negligence anyway. That is the largest reported jury verdict against a U.S. commercial trampoline park, and it happened right here in our backyard. For families in Combine, this isn’t just a headline. It is the legal reality that protects your child when a business puts profit over safety.
One bounce. One bad landing. One broken neck. That is all it takes at a trampoline park. If you are reading this from a hospital bedside or your home in Combine, searching for answers while your child is in a body cast or facing surgery, our managing partner Ralph Manginello knows the weight you are carrying. Since 1998, Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims. For over 25 years, our firm has stood against Fortune 500 companies and insurance giants. We’ve seen what trampoline parks do after a catastrophic injury, and we know how to stop them from hiding the evidence.
The Reality of Trampoline Injuries in the Combine Metro Area
Combine sits at the edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth suburban sprawl, which means families often drive north or west to reaching the dense cluster of trampoline parks like Sky Zone, Urban Air, or Altitude. Whether you were at the Urban Air off US-175 or a Sky Zone in Mesquite, the Saturday afternoon rush is a system engineered for risk. When the court is packed and the heat of a Texas summer makes the indoor facility humid and crowded, the safety standards meant to protect your child are often the first things to go.
Nationally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tracks approximately 300,000 trampoline-related ER visits annually. The vast majority of these involve minors. In a metro the size of the DFW area, that share is measured in thousands of local families every year. From our offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, Attorney911 serves as a cornerstone for Texas families seeking accountability. With admission to federal court and 25 years of trial experience, Ralph Manginello brings the same aggressive litigation style to trampoline cases that we used in the BP Texas City refinery explosion litigation. We aren’t intimidated by the parent companies behind these parks—like Sky Zone, Inc. (formerly CircusTrix LLC) and Unleashed Brands (the parent of Urban Air)—who hire elite corporate-defense firms. We’ve already beaten them.
Why “Accidents” at Parks Serving Combine Are Business Decisions
A trampoline injury is never just an accident. It is the predictable output of a business decision. When your child is injured, the park’s risk-management team is already working to protect the park, not your child. The truth is that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been warning against home trampoline use since 1999, reaffirming this position in 2012 and 2019. Every park operator in or near Combine knows this Quarter-century of medical consensus. They chose to build a business model around an activity the AAP says is fundamentally unsafe for children.
Beyond the general risk, these facilities operate under a safety standard they wrote for themselves: ASTM F2970. This standard requires specific attendant-to-jumper ratios, age-segregated jumping, and specific foam-pit depths. When a park violates ASTM F2970, it violates its own industry’s safety floor.
Imagine this: A seven-year-old child from Combine is at a Saturday-afternoon birthday party at a national chain park like Sky Zone or Urban Air. The court is packed with 50 jumpers. Instead of the industry-recommended ratio of one monitor per 32 jumpers, there is only one 17-year-old attendant on duty, and he is distracted or on his phone. A 200-pound adult lands on the same trampoline bed where the child is jumping. This is the “double-bounce.”
Physics don’t negotiate. When that mass ratio of 4:1 strikes the bed, kinetic energy transfers to the lighter jumper, launching them with up to 4x the force. Your child isn’t just jumping; they are being thrown by a catapult. The result is often a comminuted femoral shaft fracture requiring ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) with intramedullary nailing. In Combine, your child’s case is worth more than the medical bill. It’s worth the decade of orthopedic monitoring required because the growth plate—the physis—was destroyed at age seven.
The Standard of Care: ASTM F2970 and EN ISO 23659:2022
Most personal injury firms can’t tell you what ASTM F2970 requires of a trampoline park. We can cite it from memory. While ASTM F2970-22 is the voluntary standard in Texas, we look to the rest of the developed world to prove the park’s negligence. EN ISO 23659:2022 is the mandatory European standard for trampoline parks, providing strict design and construction safety requirements. Sky Zone, Urban Air, and DEFY operate to a floor that the rest of the world treats as an unacceptable ceiling. When we depose a park’s operations manager, we know their standards better than they do.
The Waiver Is Not a Wall for Combine Families
“But I signed a waiver.” We hear it from every parent in Combine who calls our firm. You signed the piece of paper on an iPad at the kiosk because the line was long and you wanted your child to have fun. You might think that signature ended your case. It didn’t.
Texas law is very specific about when a waiver is enforceable, and one of our associate attorneys, Lupe Peña, brings a unique “insider” advantage to our firm. He used to sit on the other side of the table—defending insurance companies and trampoline parks against injury claims. He knows exactly which waiver clauses hold up and which ones Texas courts void.
Three Ways We Attack the Waiver:
- The Gross Negligence Carve-Out: Texas courts, following the Moriel and Mobil Oil v. Ellender precedents, refuse to enforce waivers where the injury resulted from gross negligence. If the park knew of a torn mat or an understaffed court and disregarded that risk, the waiver is void.
- Parental Indemnity for Minors: In Texas, the landmark case Munoz v. II Jaz Inc. established that a parent generally cannot sign away a minor child’s personal injury cause of action. While the Texas Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling in Cerna v. Pearland Urban Air enforced certain arbitration clauses, the underlying right of the child to pursue damages remains a potent weapon.
- Inadequate Conspicuousness: Under the Dresser doctrine, a release of liability must be conspicuous. If the language was buried in fine print on a tablet during a rushed check-in, it may fail the fair-notice test.
That piece of paper you signed is a tactic used to discourage you from calling a lawyer. It is not an automatic shield. In Harris County, the Cosmic Jump $11.485 million verdict proved that even with a signed waiver, juries will hold parks accountable for conscious indifference to safety.
The Spoliation Clock: Why You Must Act Now
If you are a parent in Combine, you need to understand that the evidence is evaporating. Most park surveillance systems are set to overwrite within 7 to 30 days. Incident reports get “revised” or lost. Foam pits get refilled, and broken springs get replaced overnight.
When you hire Attorney911, our spoliation letter goes out within 24 hours of retention. We demand the preservation of multi-angle DVR footage, attendant shift logs, training records, and maintenance files. We don’t wait for the park to “check its systems.” We file fast. We use forensic tools like Magnet AXIOM and FTK Imager to ensure that when a park says the video “glitched,” we find out why. A Georgia jury once awarded $3.5 million to Mathew Knight after the defense video glitched on four cameras simultaneously. We look for those same patterns.
Catastrophic Pediatric Injuries and the Life-Care Plan
We represent families. We represent children. We represent the parent at the Dallas-area Level 1 pediatric trauma center watching a surgeon explain what happened when a growth plate was destroyed.
Pediatric Growth Plate Damage (Salter-Harris Fractures)
Children’s bones are not adult bones. A Salter-Harris Type II fracture of the distal tibia at age eight is not just “a broken ankle.” It is a decade of monitoring. If the growth plate fails to produce bone correctly, your child may face limb-length discrepancy or angular deformity as they grow. We work with pediatric orthopedic consultants to verify the long-term prognosis. We don’t settle for the hospital bill; we build a life-care plan that covers surgeries at age 14, 18, and beyond.
SCIWORA: The Silent Danger
Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality (SCIWORA) is a pediatric-specific risk. A child can land on their head in a foam pit and have a completely normal CT scan, yet still suffer a permanent spinal cord injury. Paralyzed victims have recovered multi-million dollar settlements—sometimes ranging from $5 million upward—because of the failure to recognize these neurological symptoms at the park.
Rhabdomyolysis: The UH Bridge
We are currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston involving rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure. This is the same catastrophic muscle breakdown we see in children who jump for 90 minutes in a hot indoor venue without water. If your child had cola-colored urine or severe listlessness 48 hours after a park visit, you are facing a medical emergency. We are the only Texas firm with a live $10M medical-litigation architecture already built for rhabdo cases. We know which experts to call and how to prove that the park’s hydration and rest-break failures caused it.
The Corporate Shield: Piercing the 5-Layer Stack
When you sue a chain like Urban Air or Sky Zone, the park’s lawyer will tell you that the local park is just a “franchisee” and the corporate office has no money for you. This is the “Policy Limit Shell Game.”
Our firm understands corporate structure archeology. We trace the money from the Operator LLC up to the Franchisee, the Franchisor (like Sky Zone Franchising LLC or UATP Management LLC), the Brand Parent (Sky Zone, Inc. or Unleashed Brands), and finally to the Private Equity Sponsor (Palladium or Seidler).
In the $15.6 million Damion Collins award, the franchisor (UATP Management) was held responsible for 40% of the fault because of a “systemic failure” to implement safety changes. We don’t just sue the local LLC; we name the corporate directors whose cost-cutting approved the understaffing that broke your child’s leg.
Backyard Trampolines and the Attractive Nuisance
While Combine is growing, many of our residents enjoy large lots and backyard tramps. If your neighbor’s child wandered onto your property and was injured, you may be facing a claim under the “attractive nuisance” doctrine. Conversely, if your child was injured on a defective product like a Jumpking, Skywalker, or Bouncepro, the homeowner’s insurance policy often contains a “trampoline exclusion.”
In these cases, we pivot to product liability. We look for CPSC recall histories. For example, SEGMART toddler trampolines were recalled in 2026 for strangulation hazards. Skywalker, Jumpking, and Sportspower (Bouncepro) all have documented recall histories. Under the Bolger v. Amazon and Oberdorf v. Amazon doctrines, we can often hold retailers like Walmart and Amazon liable as “sellers” of defective imports.
Why Combine Families Choose Attorney911
Most personal injury firms handle a trampoline case like a slip-and-fall. They send a demand, take the insurance limit, and move on. We don’t. We built our practice around exactly this fight. Ralph Manginello brings 25+ years of catastrophic injury experience. Lupe Peña knows the defense playbook because he used to write it.
As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We represent the parent who is worried about and looking out for their child’s future, not just the next medical bill.
Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911. Lupe Peña habla con usted directamente—sin intérpretes. If you signed a waiver in English but your primary language is Spanish, the Delfingen doctrine may void that agreement entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions for Combine Parents
Can I sue if I signed the waiver?
Yes. In Texas, waivers do not cover gross negligence, and per Munoz v. II Jaz, they generally do not bind your child’s personal claim. If the park failed to maintain a foam pit or neglected attendant duties, the waiver is not an absolute barrier.
How much is my child’s case worth?
Every case is unique. However, catastrophic injuries like TBI or spinal cord damage can reach settlements or verdicts between $1.5 million and $15 million. Even fracture cases with growth-plate damage often anchor in the $500K to $2M range because of the lifetime of monitoring required.
What should I do if the park won’t call 911?
Call 911 yourself immediately. Multiple reviews for parks near Combine, including locations in Southlake and Mesquite, suggest that management instructs staff NOT to call 911 to downplay injuries. This refusal is evidence of gross negligence.
How long do I have to sue a trampoline park in Texas?
The adult statute of limitations is two years. For children, the clock is usually tolled until they turn 18, meaning they have until age 20. However, waiting is dangerous because video evidence vanishes in 30 days.
Why do parks have “Toddler Time” if trampolines are dangerous for under-6s?
Marketing. The AAP and ASTM F381 clearly state children under six should not use trampolines. High-energy energy transfer (“double-bouncing”) is nearly always the cause of toddlers’ broken legs. The park markets to toddlers to fill courts during slow hours, but they are disregarding a known pediatric safety rule.
Is the foam pit safe for my kid?
Foam pits look soft, but if the cubes are compressed or the pit is shallow, your child can strike the concrete floor beneath. F2970 requires specific maintenance that many parks skip to save on labor costs. Many chains are switching to airbags specifically because foam pits have caused so many cervical injuries.
Does it cost anything to hire a lawyer?
No upfront costs. We work on a contingency fee (33.33% pre-trial). We advance all costs for biomechanical engineers, pediatric specialists, and ASTM experts. You pay nothing unless we recover money for your child.
Combine’s Path to Recovery Starts Today
What happened to your child at the park wasn’t an accident—it was the predictable output of a system. The AAP has been warning since 1999. ASTM F2970 was written by the trampoline industry itself to establish a safety floor. The park operated below that floor to hit a margin target. The waiver was drafted by corporate counsel who knew it wouldn’t hold in most states. The surveillance is engineered to overwrite before most families have a lawyer.
We were built for exactly this fight. Ralph Manginello brings 25+ years of courtroom experience. Lupe Peña knows the insurance defense playbook from the inside. Our 50-state database of waiver law and our $10 million UH rhabdomyolysis case give us the technical edge Combine families need.
Your child’s case is decided by what gets preserved this week. Call 1-888-ATTY-911. Hablamos Español. No fee unless we win. Our spoliation letter goes out within 24 hours of your retention. The case starts today.
Common Trampoline Injury Mechanisms and Standards Violated
| Mechanism | Standard Violated | Typical Defect |
|---|---|---|
| Double-Bounce | ASTM F2970 Age/Weight Segregation | Mismatched jumpers on same bed |
| Foam Pit Strike | ASTM F2970 Depth & Maintenance | Compacted cubes; concrete floor hit |
| Spring/Frame Strike | ASTM F381 / F2970 Padding | Torn pads; exposed metal springs |
| Harness Failure | Negligent Training / Product Defect | Harness unclipped or failure of lanyard |
| Rhabdomyolysis | Negligent Supervision / Hydration | Extended jumping in excessive heat |
| Skin Infection | E.16 Sanitation / Biological | MRSA in non-sanitized foam bits |
When you are ready to hold the multi-million dollar conglomerates accountable for what happened in a Combine park or backyard, call Ralph Manginello. We don’t just handle cases; we treat our clients like family. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” Let us fight for your family.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
Understanding the DFW Regional Risk: 500 Injuries in 7 Years
According to a Star-Telegram investigation, more than 500 injuries were reported at 21 DFW-area parks over a seven-year period. This includes catastrophic outcomes from Mesquite to Southlake. In Combine, families are part of this traffic. When a park manager refuses to provide ice or discourages a 911 call, they are following an industry playbook. We know that playbook, and we know how to tear it up in front of a jury.
Whether your child was injured by an Urban Air Sky Rider strangulation, a fall from an Altitude climbing wall, or a double-bounce at a Sky Zone, the franchisor corporate parent is on the hook. Collins v. Urban Air proves that franchisors cannot hide behind the “separate LLC” defense when their systemic training failures cause permanent disability.
Your journey toward justice doesn’t begin in a courtroom months from now. It begins with the preservation of a DVR hard drive today. It begins with a call to the firm that has memorized the biomechanics of a childhood landing.
1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. Hablamos Español. No fee unless we win. Our Texas offices are the launch point, and our knowledge of trampoline injury law covers every state in the country. Let’s get to work for your child.
A Note for Spanish-Speaking Combine Families (Hablamos Español)
Muchas de las víctimas de lesiones en parques de trampolines en Combine son niños de familias hispanohablantes. Nuestro abogado asociado Lupe Peña es hispanohablante nativo y representa a nuestros clientes directamente — sin intérpretes, sin traductores, sin retrasos. Si usted firmó un documento en inglés y su idioma principal es español, el caso de Texas Delfingen US-Texas v. Valenzuela puede invalidar la renuncia que firmó. Usted tiene derechos independientemente de lo que diga el iPad en la entrada del parque. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 y pida hablar con Lupe Peña. Estamos aquí para proteger a su familia.
Catastrophic Injury Damages Categories
When we calculate what the park owes your family in Combine, we look at the full scope of a lifetime:
- Comminuted Fractures: Past and future surgical costs, including hardware removal.
- Salter-Harris Damage: Corrective osteotomy and monitoring until age 18+.
- TBI / Concussion: Neuropsychological evaluations and educational aides.
- SCI / Paralysis: Life-care planning including home modifications and 24/7 care.
- Economic Loss: Loss of adult-life earning capacity for the injured child.
- Non-Economic: Pain, suffering, and the emotional trauma of the “worst scream.”
Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury victims—the same catastrophic categories a trampoline park or defective residential trampoline can cause in a single bad landing. Combine families deserve nothing less than full justice.
1-888-ATTY-911.
Summary of State-Specific Limits for Texas (Combine Residents)
| Legal Factor | Texas Rule | Significance to Your Child’s Case |
|---|---|---|
| Adult SOL | 2 Years | The time to sue the operator or manufacturer. |
| Minor SOL | Tolled to 20 | Child’s claim holds until age 20, but evidence dies fast. |
| Waiver Rule | Munoz Void | Parent’s signature doesn’t bar the minor’s rights. |
| Negligence | Modified 51% | No recovery if child is over 50% at fault (hard to prove for kids). |
| Punitives | CPRC § 41.008 | Caps are high but reachable in gross negligence cases. |
| Regulator | TDI Class B | Regulates inflatables/ziplines ONLY, not the trampolines. |
This regulatory gap in Texas is precisely why you need an aggressive firm. If the state isn’t inspecting these parks daily, we are.
The Hidden Trap: Insurance Application Misrepresentation
Did the park lie to its insurance company? When we litigate a case for a family in Combine, we subpoena the insurance application. If the park told their insurer they had a 1:32 monitor ratio but their payroll shows they actually ran at 1:60, the insurer may defend under a “reservation of rights.” This creates a conflict between the park and its own carrier, providing us with massive leverage at the settlement table. This is the strategic depth Ralph Manginello and his team bring to every file.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911. The consultation is free, and the fight is ours.
The Final Move: The Evidence-Clock Close
The Saturday afternoon your child was hurt in Combine is currently stored on a hard drive inside a park manager’s office. Every time the clock strikes midnight, that footage is one day closer to being erased by the system’s rolling overwrite cycle.
By Day 10, the video is likely gone. By Day 30, the attendant who didn’t call 911 might have quit. By Day 60, the foam pit has been cleaned, and the tear in the trampoline mat has been patched.
The most important decision you make as a parent is not whether to sue—it is whether to preserve. We can help you preserve your rights today without you ever paying a dime out of pocket.
1-888-ATTY-911. We are ready when you are.
Conclusion del Bufete
Si su hijo resultó herido en un parque de trampolines, lo más importante es esto: no fue un accidente y no fue su culpa. Usted confió en que el parque seguiría las reglas de seguridad. El parque falló. Deje que Ralph Manginello y Lupe Peña luchen por la recuperación de su hijo. Hemos enfrentado a corporaciones multinacionales y hemos ganado. El nombre de nuestra firma es nuestra misión: Attorney911. Atendemos emergencias legales con la velocidad y la fuerza que su familia en Combine necesita.
Llame al (888) 288-9911 para una consulta gratuita hoy mismo.
