A suit has been filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in behalf of a Negley, Oh. teenager who was injured in mid-January, 2023 when she dropped-off a platform and fell 15-ft. onto an air mattress that was not inflated at Extreme Air, 360 McClurg Rd. She suffered several injuries, including a fractured sternum, a collapsed lung, an air bubble in a lung and a severe concussion “among other injuries,” Atty. Michael Maillis, counsel for Courtney Anderson, says in the court action.
      Anderson, who was a teenager at the time of the accident, is now a sophomore at Youngstown State University, where she is a member of the Penguins cheer squad.
      “Anderson was jumping-off a platform onto what is supposed to be an inflated air mattress below her. This air mattress operates to absorb the force dropping from 15-ft. and disperses the force in a way where the jumper will not be injured.
      “Unfortunately, the employees of Extreme Air…never inflated the mattress, or took time to inspect the mattress, yet opened the gate to let (Anderson) jump, and the gave (her) encouragement with a ‘go-ahead’ to jump,” counsel said, adding his client fell on her back onto a concrete floor “with no cushioning whatsoever.”
      Maillis contends that Extreme Air had a statutory duty under Ohio Administrative Codes “to properly inspect the (air mattress) before allowing 9his client0 to participate, adding the code “specifically says that no person shall operate…an amusement ride or device that is an unsafe condition that could cause a hazard…”
      Counsel says his client suffered “serious, debilitating and permanent physical and emotional pain…and will continue to suffer…into the future and on a permanent basis…incurred medical and hospital expenses…lost income, and will suffer future loss of income and has incurred a [permanent loss of future earning capacity.”
      Maillis contends that a ‘waiver’ his client “allegedly signed “is contrary to public policy and void to the extent it seeks to avoid responsibility arising from violation of any express duty imposed by statute or regulation for the safety of patrons…”
      The suit seeks compensatory damages in excess of $25,000, and a declaration that any signed waiver is unenforceable.