A new study published in the most recent issue of Pediatrics reveals an alarming statistic: Bounce houses injure a child every 46 minutes. The number of injuries from inflatable bouncers - including moonwalks, castles and bounce houses - has increased by 15 times since 1995, causing 5+ injuries per every 100,000 American children.

Just a few months ago a similar warning was issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concerning at home trampoline use. In September, AAP issued a statement discouraging the recreational use of trampolines, stating the activity "poses a major injury risk for kids and there's no clear way to reduce chances of getting hurt."

If you or a loved one has been injured on while on a trampoline or bounce house, it's a good idea to consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Depending on the circumstances of your matter it may be possible to recover compensation for your injuries through a negligence lawsuit based on product liability, premises liability or other theory of recovery.

Like bounce house injuries, trampoline injuries occur far more frequently than many people imagine. According to the study in 2009, the last year of available data, trampoline injury rates were 70 injuries per 100,000 children ages 0- to 4-years-old and 160 injuries per 100,000 5- to 14-year-olds, for a total of 98,000 injuries that year. Older kids were more likely to use a bicycle or other unsafe equipment on the trampoline, while young children under the age of 6 were most likely to get hurt. Between three percent and 14 percent of the injuries required hospitalization.

"Unfortunately, the very forces that make trampoline use fun for many children also lead to unique injury mechanisms and patterns of injury," the statement's authors write.

Trampoline and bounce house injuries include:

• Fractures 

• Dislocations

• Sprains and strains

• Broken bones

• Head and neck injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

The most serious injuries often result from failed attempts at somersaults and flips while bouncing, sometimes resulting in lifelong injuries.

A director of the bounce house study noted: "It is time for us to take action to prevent these injuries ... Ensuring that parents are aware of the potential risks, improving surveillance of the injuries, developing national safety guidelines and improving bouncer design are the first steps."

"Because children are the end users and because companies typically do not provide the supervision on rented inflatable bouncers, the burden of safety falls ultimately on the parents' shoulders." Further while bouncers can be fun and safe when used properly, "Parents should be familiar with the risks and dangers and should receive proper supervision instruction."

For more information about bounce house or trampoline safety, or if you or a loved one has been injured while on a trampoline or bounce house, please contact an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.

A preliminary investigation into the accident that claimed the life of a young boy reveals that the zoo met or exceeded all safety requirements for animals and visitors, proving that no exhibit is "fail-proof" as explained by the zoo's president. The horrific accident occurred after the boy fell into an African wild dog exhibit. Although nearby staff responded "within seconds," it was too late to save the boy.

The zoo has been open since 1898 and this was the first time there's been a "visitor incident of this magnitude." The incident occurred after the boy's mother put him on a wooden railing on the edge of a viewing deck. The boy fell and bounced of the netting intended to catch him. He then dropped into the enclosure holding the dogs.

Initial reports reveal no signs of negligence - the Pittsburgh Zoo had successfully completed its five-year review in September and the U.S. Department of Agriculture had inspected zoo recently and found it safe.

Fortunately, incidents like these are rare and show the need to follow strict safety precautions on both the part of the owner/operator of the zoo as well as the patrons. Many times attending an event - whether going to the zoo where there are dangerous animals, spending the day at an amusement park riding rollercoasters or attending a baseball game with the hopes of catching a foul ball - involves a certain amount of risk taking and danger.

Whether the amount of risk you are exposed to is "reasonable" is often a legal question. If you or a loved one has been hurt as a patron, it's important to consult with an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney. Often, determining whether you may be entitled to compensation involves a complicated analysis of the risks involved, the warnings provided and other factors.

Where an unreasonably dangerous condition exists that an owner or operator knew of or should have known of but failed to either correct or provide sufficient warning, they may be held liable for damages in a "premises liability" lawsuit.

However, in many situations the "danger" is part of the fun - such as amusement park rides where you expect to be frightened and thrilled, just not hurt. California law continues to grapple with the scope of the "assumption of risk" defense - that is where a patron "assumes the risk" of injuries from the inherent risks of an activity.

Where an owner/operator takes steps to eliminate dangers and warn of potential risks, the injured party may face challenges recovering compensation for injuries resulting from a dangerous activity. Alternatively, where an owner/operator allows an unreasonably dangerous condition to exist, they may be held responsible for harm that occurs and required to pay damages.

In the zoo instance, initial reports suggest that this was simply a tragic accident. Other zoos and exhibits are sure to examine just what happened in an effort to prevent other such incidents from occurring again.

For more information about premises liability or dangerous conditions lawsuit, contact the top Sacramento negligence attorneys at the Law Office of Frederick J. Sette for an immediate consultation.