Getting exercise is important. Especially since statistics warn that in about 12 years, 42% of the American population will be obese. That is one scary statistic. That said, I’m all for everything that gets men, women and children out there, exercising.
Jumping on a trampoline can be a great way to stay in shape. Unfortunately, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission just this week recalled about 92,000 Sportspower BouncePro 14′ trampolines that were sold exclusively at Walmart. The hazard is that the netting that surrounds these trampolines can break, allowing children to fall through the netting and suffer a personal injury.
Already, Sportspower has received reports of 17 of the nets breaking, resulting in 11 injuries that include broken bones, back and neck injuries and contusions. Any customer who owns a Sportspower defective trampoline should stop using it immediately and contact Sportspower to receive replacement black netting for it. The recall hotline is (888) 965-0565.
However, as a Boston product liability attorney, I can tell you honestly that recovering from the physical and psychological damage these injuries cause is often just the first battle that a victim of a defective product faces. Unfortunately, for injury victims who seek damages from manufacturers who caused their injuries by manufacturing or marketing unsafe products, a much larger battle looms ahead — against insurance companies. Here’s why: Almost all defendants in a personal injury lawsuit are defended by their insurance carrier – and – here’s the deep, dark secret – insurers will do all they legally can to deny your claim for injuries. Or dismiss it. Or, at the very least, minimize any amount they might pay. It’s their job, their professional responsibility – just as it’s your automobile or homeowner’s insurer’s jobs to defend you. It’s sad but true – insurance companies are relentless in their defense of negligence claims, and typically want to pay you nothing – or next to nothing.
If you should suffer a Massachusetts personal injury due to this defective trampoline, you need a Boston/Dedham personal injury lawyer. One thing that sets our firm apart is that our principal, Attorney William D. Kickham, used to work for the insurance industry — and he knows and understands what makes them tick. His “insider” information helps him to know when to be aggressive and when to negotiate, as evidenced by our 20-year track record of success.