Another lawsuit for Bellevue indoor trampoline center

BY Kim Shepard  on May 18, 2012 @ 2:06 pm (Updated: 10:29 am - 5/19/12 )

Another lawsuit has been filed against Sky High Sports in Bellevue. A boy jumping into a foam pit allegedly hit a pipe and fractured his skull.

"They don't enforce the rules. They have a couple of teenage kids standing out there with a walkie-talkie, usually talking to one another, supervising nothing," says Attorney Sim Osborn.

Osborn is representing the Besst family and several others who have filed suit against "the trampoline place" within the last year.

After the first lawsuit, Osborn said he had hoped Sky High Sports would do more to keep kids safe. Since then, another 14 lawsuits have been filed for similar accidents.

Jerry Raymond, President Sky High Sports released the following statement in response to the suit:

Sky High Sports maintains the highest levels of standards in safety and equipment. Through safety measures including regular inspection of equipment and continued safety training for our employees, we strive to present the safest venue possible. While every athletic activity has some inherit form of risk, no sporting activity can claim that there is zero chance of injury. Sky High Sports provides an extreme sporting activity and has injury rates at or below those of most major sports.

There is a lesson for other parents in all this. Osborn says even if you sign a liability waiver, you can not sign away the rights of your children.

"So, when kids go in there and their parents or guardian or some adult signs a release for them saying I won't sue if I get hurt, that's void and unenforceable. It's against public policy," says Osborn.

According to Osborn, a court is the only entity entitled to sign away the rights of a child.

Kim Shepard, KIRO Radio Reporter
Kim Shepard is a news anchor and reporter for KIRO Radio and the office optimist. She's energetic, quick to laugh and has a positive outlook on life.
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Comments (9)


  • Add A Comment

  • Weiser Postban wrote...
    Let me get this right...
    May 18, 2012 6:46 pm
    An OVERWHELMING MAJORITY of people, if not close to EVERYONE that has gone there and had a great time and left happy will probably never again be able to enjoy this activity due to a tiny few people seeking victimhood and money. The movement of the tiny few screwing the majority in this county is moving at a rapid pace. Congrats weanies.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nickatnyt wrote...
    Did no one notice the pipe?
    May 18, 2012 10:49 pm
    C'mon President Jerry, you should have spent some time and a few bucks and put some freakin' bubblewrap around the thing and called it good. But apparently you were too busy writing that drivel that you call a 'statement' to worry about a pesky pipe.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Maybe a friend of mine is right.
    May 19, 2012 9:27 am
    Parenting skills are a lost instinct. Just because your child wants to do something, doesn't mean you HAVE to let them do it. As a parent, you are ultimately responsible for their safety. If they get hurt while you are accompanying them(barring a freak accident), the blame is on you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    Plus, you might want to look at parents' history.
    May 19, 2012 9:34 am
    Are they willing to sacrifice their child's safety to get rich.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    So, you take your child
    May 19, 2012 9:56 am
    to a facility that has a history of accidental injuries?? Sounds a bit shady to me. Unless you seek fun like you vote, not informing yourself before going.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zagnut wrote...
    Trampolines are dangerous.
    May 19, 2012 6:56 pm
    The end.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • FreeRange wrote...
    Sky High is a great place
    May 19, 2012 8:08 pm
    I am sick of Litigation. Guess what trampolining is dangerous, football is dangerous, you signed the waiver and took the risk....en of story. I hope Sky High fights you to the bitter end.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    hmmmm
    May 20, 2012 7:22 am
    in this tough economy people will sue for just about anything.....if your kid gets hurt it's your own fault.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dori monson fan wrote...
    skyhigh is going to end up like turbo tubes
    May 20, 2012 7:24 am
    and anything else that is fun for kids. shut down due to a couple lawsuits from "victim" parents.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }