Common sense ruling welcomed

A Warwickshire solicitor has welcomed a Court of Appeal decision as a common sense victory for parents everywhere.

A couple found liable for an accident on a bouncy castle that left a boy brain-damaged won an appeal against the ruling last week.

The appeal court judge ruled that a "freak and tragic accident” had resulted in the boy being kicked in the head and that that standard of care the couple had provided was no different from that of parents "up and down the land.”

Haidee Vedy, a partner at solicitors, Alsters Kelley, says parents across Warwickshire can breathe a sigh of relief and hire bouncy castles without the same previous fear of liability for an accident.

"Bouncy castles at birthday parties are what children’s summers are all about,” she said.

"But for parents to be expected to provide constant supervision and to separate children of different age groups, just to enable those parties to take place, is a step too far.

"Had this decision not been over-ruled, the implications for other parents and bouncy castle operators would have meant these parties become a rarity.

"Hopefully parents across Warwickshire will no longer hesitate when considering hiring a bouncy castle as a fun way for children to enjoy themselves.”