Recently, a woman had an unfortunate experience at SuperPark Singapore, the newly-opened family indoor playground at Suntec City.
She ended up fracturing her nose after a game of baseball went horribly wrong.
Woman fractures nose at SuperPark Singapore- the new indoor playground at Suntec City
SuperPark Singapore opened on 17 November 2018, and is a 40,000 square foot of play space offering over 20 fun, healthy, exciting and energising activities under one roof, for the whole family.
The victim, Serene Tan, had visited the indoor activity park on 25 November with her family and friends. She suffered a nose fracture after attempting a game of baseball.
On 2 Dec 2018, Serene posted a video on Facebook, which showed her getting hit on the nose, after a ball bounced back from a pillar and flew towards her face.
PHOTO: FACEBOOK / SERENE TAN
“This is what had happened to me on 25 Nov 2018. Ball hit and rebounded at high speed straight on my nose.”
As a result, she suffered a, “Depressed nasal fracture and was hospitalised.”
“First time at Superpark and this happened…” she wrote.
“Spoken to Super park management and was told it is not their fault, not my fault and we have signed the waiver. End of the story is, I am Suay…. but blessing in disguise that I bought myself an expensive personal accident insurance that covers my expenses which amount more than 30k.”
PHOTO: FACEBOOK / SERENE TAN
In her Facebook caption, Serene also writes that her nose is, “no longer straight”.
“Legal action and compensation is not what I want”, she stresses in an interview with Stomp.
“The intention of the post is crystal clear and that is to create awareness so that people can be more careful when using the facilities.
“As someone who loves kids and whose first job was a childcare teacher, I, from the bottom of my heart, really do not want to see any children injured, especially since this is a child-friendly park.”
“After all, it’s the visitors who have to bear any suffering and medical costs that arise in the event of a mishap. My experience is a very good example and I do not want to see anyone ending up like me”, she says.
Here’s wishing Serene a speedy recovery…
This is Serene’s full post on Facebook:
SuperPark Singapore responds to the incident
Meanwhile, SuperPark Singapore has responded to the incident. They have addressed concerns about the safety helmet and the waiver.
Here is their statement to theAsianparent in full:
“SuperPark is extremely saddened by a recent guest Serene Tan’s injury that took place at the baseball activity area.”
“The injury took place on Sunday 25 November, 2018 when a baseball bounced from an unexpected angle and the injured guest was observed to have a cut, nose bleed and swelling. SuperPark staffers provided immediate first aid to the injured guest and sought immediate medical support by calling an ambulance.”
“After medic care, the injured guest decided to proceed via her husband’s car. SuperPark remained in contact with the injured guest since then in care for her recovery and as at Thursday 29 November, 2018 understood that she recovered from an initial surgery.”
“We are certainly saddened to learn of Serene’s injury and I have been following this since the incident occurred. My team has ensured that Serene is taken care during the incident. Furthermore, we continue to reach out to Serene to monitor her recovery,” said Mark Kumarasinhe, CEO Asia of SuperPark.
“SuperPark upholds international and professional standard of safety measures throughout all of the activities at the park with an onsite team of recognised coaches and staff members with relevant qualifications.”
He also said that it is worth noting that in its Asian parks, SuperPark implements significantly more onerous safety standards than those of Finland/Europe because many Asian guests have not participated in its activities to the same extent as its European guests.
“Specific to the baseball activity, although there is no international or national standard on whether or not, or which type of baseball helmets that should be worn, SuperPark Singapore makes it compulsory for guests to watch a video on safety procedures (just like other activities in the park), wear a helmet (strictly enforced) and gloves to play baseball.”
A minimum height requirement of 140cm is also in force.
“As a full face helmet with a protective grill can block a beginner’s vision which can potentially cause more serious damage to the face or skull in case of injury or lead to other dangers, SuperPark Singapore heightened its safety standards relative to Finland in an effort to keep enhancing safety measures in the park.”
“A waiver is a common contract that is used across the leisure and entertainment industry. SuperPark is very transparent about the risks involved in various activities in the park, irrespective of the likelihood of those risks materialising.”
“These risks are no greater than those that people experience every day when undertaking physical activities such football, hockey, gymnastics, rugby etc.”
“A waiver cannot be used as a defence against negligence and the incident in discussion. SuperPark firmly believes this does not amount to negligence but rather an unfortunate and very rare accident of a ball rebounding to hit one of its guests.”
“Even though we hold the highest safety standard for every SuperPark sites we operate in, still any injury causes us great concern. We will take a serious review with a goal of improving our safety standards to further enhance our procedures if it is necessary.” added Mark.
What you should know before signing a waiver form
Most of us are familiar with the waiver forms we are sometimes required to sign before participating in an activity.
We usually get this form in an informal setting like an amusement park or indoor playground. And because we are so thrilled about taking part in the activity, and we want to avoid delays, we usually don’t think twice before signing the liability waiver form.
However, here is what you need to know about waiver forms:
- A waiver form is used by businesses or organizations to obtain an acknowledgement that participation in an activity involves a risk of injury, even catastrophic injury, and that the participant accepts that risk.
By signing, participants waive their right to sue (or hold the other party legally responsible), should an injury occur, and thereby release the organisation from liability for any such injury that should occur.
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Because we usually get these liability waiver forms at casual locations, they may seem like informal documents.
However, do note that these forms are usually binding legal contracts, which should be taken seriously.
- The waiver form cannot be signed by a minor (those under 18).
So if a minor wants to participate in an activity requiring a liability waiver form, like climbing a rock wall, their parent or legal guardian is usually asked to sign.
- Read the waiver well before signing. You should only sign a waiver if you agree and understand each of its provisions. If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification.
Mums and dads, we all know how easy it is to get injured in indoor playgrounds. A serious injury can be catastrophic for a family—physically, emotionally, and financially.
It is important to be fully alert and aware of your environment and keep an eye on the little ones at all times. Make sure that you adhere to the age and height restrictions, and follow the safety rules and instructions.
Also READ: Singapore Mum Warns Of Bouncy Castle Dangers After Toddler Fractures Her Arm