Many people enjoy going to the gym for a workout, to take exercise classes, or do weight training. But while it might be an ideal place to keep up with your fitness routine, it can also sometimes be dangerous. If spills from beverages are left on the floor or equipment is not well maintained, serious accidents can occur that cause devastating injuries. Importantly, gyms have an obligation to ensure a reasonably safe premises and workout environment. Failure to do so can result in liability for any injuries that occur as a result — and you could be entitled to compensation.
Who Might be Responsible for Your Gym Injuries?
No one expects to get hurt at the gym. Unfortunately, gym accidents that cause injuries are not uncommon. Knee pain, shoulder injuries, sprained ankles, brain damage, paralysis, and neck injuries are just a few examples of the injuries you can sustain at the gym. Not only can these types of injuries require extensive medical treatment, but they can also cause you to lose time from work and prevent you from participating in the activities you once enjoyed.
Gym accidents commonly arise due to:
- Malfunctioning or faulty equipment
- Improperly installed equipment
- Slippery floor mats
- Spills from beverages
- Leaks from the ceiling
- Improper training or unqualified instructors
- Falling objects
Generally, a gym-goer is responsible for their own carelessness at the gym that results in injuries — if you tear a ligament or pull a muscle while exercising, the gym won’t be liable. However, there are several parties who might be held accountable for your injuries, depending on the circumstances. For instance, a manufacturer might be liable for defective equipment or failing to warn about the dangers of misusing the equipment.
Additionally, a gym could be held accountable for ignoring hazardous conditions it knew about or should have known about. In some cases, a personal trainer may also be held liable for negligence if they did not perform their duties in accordance with the reasonable standard of care.
Does a Liability Waiver Prevent You from Bringing a Lawsuit?
When you sign up for a gym membership, you will usually be presented with a contract that limits the gym’s liability for injuries. Many people who have suffered injuries at the gym might mistakenly believe that they are barred from bringing a personal injury lawsuit because they signed a liability waiver. Although such waivers can protect a gym from incurring liability for many types of injuries, it may be held accountable for gross negligence. In other words, if the gym acted with reckless disregard for the safety of those on the premises, it could still be liable.
Additionally, a liability waiver may also be invalid if it is poorly written or doesn’t contain legally binding language. In many cases, an experienced personal injury attorney will be able to challenge a waiver and allow you to move forward and take legal action.
Filing a Lawsuit for Gym Accident Injuries
If you’ve suffered an injury due to the negligence of a gym, an equipment manufacturer, or a personal trainer, you may be eligible to receive monetary recovery in a personal injury action. After a gym accident, it’s critical to inform the manager and seek medical attention immediately. You should also try to obtain the names of witnesses who may have seen the incident occur and take photos of the hazardous condition that led to the accident.
A plaintiff in a gym accident lawsuit may be able to recover their economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages can include things like unreimbursed medical expenses, the costs of surgery or physical therapy, out-of-pocket costs for medical care, and lost wages. Non-economic damages are awarded for the pain and suffering you experienced due to your gym accident-related injuries.
Contact a Knowledgeable New York Personal Injury Attorney
Sustaining an injury at the gym can have a substantial impact on your life and livelihood. It’s best to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible who can advise you of your legal rights and fight to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been offering reliable representation and dedicated counsel to clients who have been hurt due to negligence for more than 30 years.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland County, Nassau County, and Suffolk County. Contact us today for a free consultation.