Multiple Children Injured In Rancho Cucamonga Police Department Accident After Sheriff’s Helicopter Tossed Bounce House Into The Air
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA (April 3, 2022) – Three children were injured in an accident at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department after a Sheriff’s Helicopter knocked over a bounce house.
San Bernardino County officials are saying that the accident took place around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The Rancho Cucamonga Police Department was holding their annual open house.
Many different families were invited and the event included displays, food and a bounce house for children. Three children were playing in a bounce house when a Sheriff’s Helicopter flew over the event and landed on a nearby helipad.
The downdraft from the helicopter blew over several canopies and caused the bounce house to lift off the ground. Three children inside the bounce house were injured after it crashed back down.
Paramedics took three children to the hospital for abrasions, facial injuries and head injuries. The sheriff’s department and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the bounce house accident at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department.
Liability In California Bounce House Accidents
According to the Child Injury Prevention Alliance, more than 30 children are injured in bounce houses every day. Injuries can range from abrasions to concussions and broken bones. These bounce houses can be very dangerous in certain situations. There are a number of steps that can be taken in order to prevent injuries while children are playing in a bounce house.
- In general, only children 6 and under should play in a bounce house.
- Children should remove all shoes and jewelry while in the bounce house.
- The bounce house being used should be properly anchored to the ground.
Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous liable parties for any accident involving a bounce house. Generally speaking, bounce houses must be rented by companies that lease them out for the day. bounce houses have a large surface area and are relatively lightweight by their very nature. They are therefore strongly susceptible to being moved by gusts of wind. If the owner of the bounce house fails to properly anchor it to the ground, this could form the basis of a negligence claim.
The owner of a property in California could also be liable if someone is injured on their property. Pursuant to California Civil Code 1714, “Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.” If a property owner had actual or constructive notice that their property was in a dangerous condition and failed to act, this could be construed as negligence.
A police department could be liable for a bounce house accident if a sheriff’s helicopter blew it over. The downdraft of a helicopter is extremely powerful. A good helicopter pilot must take into account where they are landing and who could potentially be injured by where they are flying. Consider, for example, the case of Ingrid Wiegand v. Air Pegasus Heliport. According to the lawsuit filed by the plaintiff, Wiegand was injured when she was blown off of her bicycle by the downdraft of an errant helicopter. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any accident involving a sheriff’s helicopter.
- Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
- Medical records should be preserved.
- Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
- Any signed liability waivers should be reviewed.
- A thorough, independent investigation should be conducted.
Any person that is injured in a bounce house accident at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Even a seemingly minor head injury can turn out to be quite serious, especially for children. A personal injury attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating A California Bounce House Accident
We at TorkLaw extend our best wishes to all of the children and adults injured in this bounce house accident at the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department. There needs to be a thorough investigation into how this happened. It is our sincere hope that there is some accountability for the sake of the victims.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured by the negligent actions of a sheriff’s helicopter pilot? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of consumer safety advocates are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (888) 441-4991.
