Gyms and other fitness centers are a great option to improve your physical fitness and overall health but are also a common site of serious injuries. After a gym incident, you might wonder what your options are going forward. If you were injured in a gym accident, you could recover damages for losses related to the event including the cost of medical care, lost income, and other expenses.
An Elsmere gym injury lawyer from Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya can discuss with you the circumstances of your injuries and determine if you have a valid claim. Contact our trusted team of premises liability attorneys for assistance.
Types and Causes of Gym Accident Injuries
Most gyms and fitness centers contain heavy-duty exercise machines and other potentially hazardous equipment. Without adequate maintenance and upkeep, gym machines can malfunction and cause serious injuries to those using them. For this reason, gym owners must maintain their equipment, have adequate supervision of patrons, and provide training to employees.
Gym injuries can range from mild soft tissue damage like pulled muscles or torn ligaments to more catastrophic injuries like paralysis, spinal cord trauma, broken bones, and traumatic brain damage. Many gym injuries are avoidable with proper training and supervision. Gym injuries are often caused by:
- Faulty or defective gym equipment
- Improper maintenance
- Faulty repair of broken equipment
- Insufficient or improper instruction from a trainer
- Improper use of equipment
- Failure to clean machines
- Debris and equipment in heavily trafficked walkways
After a gym injury, be sure to seek prompt medical attention, even if the injury is seemingly minor, and contact an Elsmere attorney to discuss options for moving forward.
Fault for Gym Injuries
When someone is injured at the gym due to the owner or an employee’s negligence they could be entitled to compensation. Depending on the nuances of the incident, several parties may be legally responsible:
- Gym owner: The gym may be liable for failing to adequately maintain machines or provide a sanitary environment for guests; for failure to address hazards such as slippery floors or clutter; or for providing negligent security.
- Employees of the gym: Likewise, fitness centers are liable for their employee’s negligence within the scope of their job duties. For example, if an employee fails to clean a hazard like a spilled liquid and someone slips and falls, the gym can be vicariously liable for their employee’s actions.
- Equipment manufacturers: The equipment manufacturer may be liable for defective workout equipment or gear if a consumer is injured.
- Other gym members: Can be liable for causing an injury to another patron.
It is important to remember that gyms and fitness centers require their members to sign liability waivers. However, signing a waiver does not necessarily mean the injured person is without legal recourse. In addition, defenses such as comparative negligence may have to be considered. An Elsmere gym injury attorney can discuss your legal options and how to overcome a waiver of liability.
Talk to an Elsmere Gym Injury Attorney
If you were injured in an accident at the gym or another fitness facility, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, time out of work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other related harm.
The amount you recover after a gym injury depends on a variety of factors, including liability issues, the type of injury and how it impacts your life, medical expenses and other costs related to the event, and lost income or reduced earning capacity. To learn more about your legal options, schedule a free consultation with an Elsmere gym injury lawyer. Contact Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz, and Bhaya to get started today.
