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My in-laws had the brilliant freaking idea of sending a trampoline kit to us. We have a small yard, and neighborhood kids will be drawn to this like a magnet. It's a large one, 14 feet across. Personally, I think it's a completely dumbass idea, because sooner or later, someone will get hurt. We have no fence, so consequently no supervision when my wife and I are at work. Summer vacation is coming up, and I can only foresee a disaster in the making. My wife stubbornly insists on putting this thing together, and I can't get her to understand how potentially dangerous these things can be. Personally, I would love it, BUT, I can foresee an angry neighborhood parent suing us for medical expenses when their child suffers a broken arm from falling off. A set of swings, which we have, is one thing. This is a bad idea, but I'm catching hell for opposing it. Am I simply being paranoid or am I correct?

Correct.

Offer a compromise. You'll put it up if she buys the fencing and warning signs, or pays an attorney to draw up a release form you can hand out to the neighbors as an alternative. [;)]

Bah! Stupid smiley brackets![:D]

You been married how long, and you missed this chapter KG?

Ok refresher is in order.

When the spouse insists on doing something obviously a bad idea, and when you obviously have no chance of winning the argument, you reply with a new element to the puzzle, thus giving her something that she will gladly reply with "ok you don't (insert your new option here), and I will turf the trampoline".

Simple.

I leave it up to you, to decide that one thing which will clearly not interest her in any fashion, and thus make her anxious to trade off against.

I agree you're correct as well.

Maybe you can find some horrific video clips to show your wife.

Otherwise, videotape the action yourself and you can make big bucks on "America's Funniest Videos" to offset your legal costs.

If all else fails, you can accidently break a vital part while putting it together.

There's a thing called an "attractive nuisance" in Torts. If something on your property falls into this category, you can be liable for failing to take proper measures to protect those who might be injured - even if they are trespassing in the first place. So when those neighborhood kids break their ankles, they might be able to sue you even though the kids weren't supposed to be there. Putting up a fence or warning signs would probably be enough, but why even risk it?

-DISCLAIMER-
I'm just a law student, not a lawyer yet, so please don't count on my advice as correct legal advice. If you're seriously concerned, you should talk to a lawyer about it...

Make no mistake trampolines can kill! I have a trampoline 15' and my family and friends have escaped injury, but many friends who have them, have not. No deaths but lots of breaks and dislocations. You can easily enough render the thing useless by removing a couple legs that can be reattached when supervision allows. Just lock the legs in the shed ,garage,wherever, because the kids can install them as well if they have any size to them.

Thank you, gentlemen. While I have not scored any points at home, construction of this thing has been suspended. I'm now a villain, but at least I won't have to hire a lawyer. [;)]

Pretty easy actually

Agree to whatever she asks...and during the construction of said trampoline "accidently" break it in such a manner that the Army Corps of Enginers couldnt possibly fix it.

Or do what Homer Simpson did.
Construct it, then charge money to jump on it.

Or do what Homer Simpson did.
Construct it, then charge money to jump on it.

LOL

Oh ya that worked out real well[:D]

Then you can put up the little sign that says, "Caution."

If you are eventually forced to set the thing up, I would reccommend beefing up your home owners insurance (note: I am not an insurance salesman[:)]). You can ususally get a $1M "umbrella policy" for a fairly reasonable price and this would protect you against most accidents. It has a faily high deductable IRC, but you wouldn't have to worry about losing your house over a silly trampoline. Besides, the cost of the policy might be enough to deter the wife from setting the thing up.

You guys are missing a golden opportunity!

Three words:

Girls…On…Trampolines!