Paralyzed Brainerd Man Files Lawsuit Against Airmaxx
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Brainerd family wants to warn others after a day of fun led to a life-changing accident.
Last August, 39-year-old Anthony Seitz and his son Logan, 11, went to Airmaxx Trampoline Park in St. Cloud, Minn.
Cell phone video shows the moments before the accident as Anthony Seitz jumped off the trampoline and into the foam pit.
Seitz landed on his neck, and is now paralyzed.
Attorneys for Seitz filed a lawsuit against Airmaxx in Stearns County.
Logan told reporters about the moment his father jumped into the foam pit.
"We waited for a minute and he didn't come back up so we just started digging in the foam," Logan said, "then we found him and he was saying that he couldn't move."
Logan's mother, Seitz's aunt and lawyers talked on behalf of Seitz, who wasn't feeling up to it on Friday.
The lawsuit claims Airmaxx did not do enough to protect Seitz and the foam pit into which he jumped was not deep enough.
"It's not safe, it's not deep enough, it's not regulated and they're making money off of it," attorney L. Chris Stewart said.
Stewart is part of the Atlanta-based firm, Stewart, Seay & Felton.
The attorney said he has represented three other clients in similar situations after accidents at various trampoline parks around the country.
There are no current federal or Minnesota state regulations in place to regulate trampoline parks.
Several trampoline park businesses told WCCO they adhere to standards set forth by the International Association of Trampoline Parks.
The Seitz family hopes their story might help the state pass laws regulating building and inspections of trampoline parks.
An attorney for Airmaxx sent WCCO the following statement:
"This is Mike Hutchens I am an attorney at the Meagher & Geer Firm in Minneapolis. I have been retained to represent Airmaxx in a lawsuit that was brought against it by Mr. Seitz and his lawyer from Atlanta. First of all let me say that we want to express our condolences to Mr. Seitz. He sustained a serious neck injury when he attempted to flip, or possibly double flip, into a foam pit. He landed improperly on his neck causing his injuries. Before engaging in this activity Mr. Seitz did sign a waiver of liability. Waivers are standard in virtually all sporting activities that employ some level of risk. The Airmaxx facility in question has been opened for about five years and has been host to a couple of hundred thousand patrons. In that time there have been no major injuries. The injury ratio is far less than what you would see at a ski resort, for example, or in sporting activities like football, soccer, and hockey. The Airmaxx facility is well run and safe. Our patrons are instructed not to exceed their capabilities. Therefore, Airmaxx fully intends to defend itself against the claims that have been made by the plaintiff and his lawyers."
Seitz's attorney says he only signed a waiver as a guardian for his son, so Airmaxx is still liable.
The litigation is still in the early stages and Seitz's attorneys said they haven't yet been able to inspect Airmaxx's St. Cloud facility, where the accident happened.
Those looking to donate to the Seitz family can visit their Go Fund Me page.