Mum Carlie Curtis sues Croc’s Playcentre at Underwood for $1.4m after trampoline injury

A Queensland mother is suing a play centre for nearly half a million dollars when she sustained a serious injury just four weeks after giving birth.

Carlie Curtis with daughters Alora, 1, and Emelia, 4. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

A Queensland mother is suing a play centre for nearly half a million dollars after she was injured on a trampoline four weeks after giving birth.

Carlie Curtis was four weeks post-partum when she took her two-year-old daughter to Croc’s Playcentre at Underwood on November 15, 2023.

According to a statement of claim filed to Supreme Court of Queensland in June, Ms Curtis attended a mums and bubs group at the centre, and checked with staff if she was able to use the trampoline, and was advised it was suitable for children and adults use.

“We were bouncing, and I bounced, and I landed on my bum and actually hit the metal pole underneath... It was just it was just a huge amount of pain,” Ms Curtis told The Courier Mail.

“I couldn’t get up and thinking I’m paralysed.”

The claim states Ms Curtis sustained a tailbone injury from the metal pole which led to “physical and mental” repercussions for the mother of two.

“I just went to a play centre to help my child. I should never have been put in a position where I could experience such an injury,” she said.

“Not only physically did it affect me for months and months, even now but mentally it ricocheted back so far. It put a huge strain and pressure on my relationship with my husband, we (have) now since divorced.”

Ms Curtis said she previously suffered from peri-natal depression and anxiety, and underwent counselling but is now in the “pits of despair” following her injury.

“After doing all the right things through the pregnancy, getting the peri-natal that because of something I couldn’t control, all of sudden I’m in (the) pits of despair, I’m on antidepressants, which is not what I wanted,” she said.

Carlie Curtis with daughters Alora 1 and Emelia 4, near their home in Edens Landing, Brisbane. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

On behalf of Ms Curtis, Shine Lawyers filed the claim against Croc’s Playcentre for suffering loss and damages for the amount of $1,428,219.69.

Ms Curtis said since the injury her livelihood as a real estate agent in Beenleigh has been “decimated”.

“I’d been in real estate for over a decade and I had already had a child, and come back to work more than successfully. I was one of the leading agents in my area, but real estate is very mental, and after that, I just didn’t come back the same,” she said.

“I’m paying for a mortgage by myself now that I’m struggling to make payments for because I just can’t get the commissions.”

Due to her injuries, Ms Curtis claimed her future earning capacity was limited as she struggles with driving, computer work and house inspections, the documents claim.

She said would need restricted hours of work.

Shine Lawyers solicitor, Geeta Sharma said her client is alleging Croc’s Play centre breached its duty of care by failing to take steps to prevent her injury.

“Carlie’s life has been turned upside down as a result of this incident, she lives in constant pain and will likely continue to suffer for years to come,” she said.

“We are seeking compensation for current and future economic losses to ensure Carlie can continue to provide for her family.”

Croc’s Play centre has yet to file a defence to the Supreme Court.