Can I Sue for My Child’s Injury at a Trampoline Park if I Signed a Waiver?

 Posted on August 08, 2025 in Personal Injury

Trampoline parks and indoor playgrounds are popular destinations for kids, and more are popping up in Chicagoland suburbs. Unfortunately, as fun as they may be, these spaces are also filled with hazards, from faulty equipment to a lack of supervision. If your child is injured at one of these facilities, you may wonder if there is anything you can do, especially if you were required to sign a waiver when you entered. A Mount Prospect, IL personal injury lawyer can help you understand how Illinois law treats these cases and whether you could pursue compensation for a premises liability claim.

Do Liability Waivers Always Prevent Lawsuits in Illinois?

Many trampoline parks require parents to sign a liability waiver before a child can enter. These waivers often say the facility is not responsible for injuries. However, in Illinois, waivers are not absolute.

Under Illinois law, a waiver signed by a parent on behalf of a minor is generally not enforceable. Local courts have consistently held that a parent cannot waive a child’s right to sue for negligence. In Meyer v. Naperville Manner, Inc., the Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a parent does not have the legal authority to sign away a minor’s right to bring a personal injury claim. That means even if you signed a waiver, you may still be able to file a lawsuit on your child’s behalf.

What Kinds of Theme Park Injuries Qualify for a Claim?

Indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks can be dangerous when the facility fails to maintain equipment, enforce safety rules, or provide proper supervision. Children have suffered broken bones, head injuries, spinal damage, and other serious harm at these parks. If the injury happened because the business failed to act responsibly, you may be able to bring a personal injury claim, even if you signed a waiver.

How Can I Prove the Facility Is Liable if I Signed a Liability Waiver?

To recover damages for your child’s injury, you will need to show that the facility was negligent. This could involve proving that the business:

• Failed to repair damaged trampolines

• Allowed unsafe overcrowding

• Did not train staff properly or failed to supervise high-risk areas

• Ignored known hazards or violated safety standards

The waiver may still play a role in how the company defends itself, but it does not erase your right to sue.

What if the Trampoline Park Claims We Have an Assumption of Risk?

Some businesses argue that children assume the risk of injury by participating in activities like jumping or climbing. However, Illinois law limits this defense. The Premises Liability Act does not protect a facility that fails to take reasonable steps to ensure safety. Children, especially, cannot be expected to identify or avoid hidden dangers caused by adult negligence.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Mount Prospect, IL Personal Injury Attorney

If your child was injured at a trampoline park or indoor playground, do not assume you have no legal options just because you signed a waiver. You may still have the right to seek compensation. You should not be left covering medical bills while helping your child through physical and emotional recovery, especially when the business failed to protect them from avoidable harm. A Cook County, IL personal injury lawyer can help you pursue justice and hold the facility accountable.