Your Rights If You Are Injured At A Fitness Center

Many individuals who choose to take out a membership and use a fitness center are looking to improve their health.  What most need to realize is how dangerous an area fitness centers can be with multiple pieces of heavy equipment that can often cause serious injury, not to mention the possibility of sudden onset health issues due to overexertion.

Personal negligence by members and guests is most often the cause of most reportedly obtained injuries. However, some cases result from negligence on the part of the fitness center itself.  If you, or someone you know, has sustained injuries in a fitness center, you may be able to file a claim for personal compensation.  

Contact a personal injury attorney, such as Bryant Law, and they will review the case and advise you on your options and whether the fitness center can be held liable.

Premises Liability

Any property, including businesses and fitness centers, is obligated by law to ensure that all aspects of their facility are safe for the public, members, and guests.  When this legal obligation goes unmet by a fitness center, it often results in a member or guest suffering an injury.  When this happens, the establishment can legally be held responsible for the injured individual's medical bills and loss of income.

More than other establishments, Gyms have the legal obligation to consider any foreseeable hazardous conditions on their premises that may lead to accidents, such as slips and falls.  Other conditions that may exist and cause accidents can include:

-         Floors that are slippery and wet

-         Flooring that is broken or torn

-         Handrails that are loose or missing

-         Parking lots or sidewalks that are unsafe and potentially hazardous

-         Stairs that are unsafe and potentially dangerous

In addition to the above, all fitness centers are legally obligated to ensure that the equipment they offer for use by their members is safe.  Various injuries can be sustained when equipment is not properly maintained, such as:

-         Treadmills malfunction

-         Cables snap under the load on weight machines

-         Machines with broken handles

-         Weight machines with broken or missing vital safety features

No matter the reason for your accident, you may qualify for financial compensation if you sustained a severe injury due to the fitness center's negligence.

Product Liability

Accidents are not always due to the gym owner or its employee's negligence.  The equipment used on the premises, such as treadmills, weight machines, and other related equipment,can randomly fail without any prior warning, even though inspections are conducted on a routine basis.

Even though the equipment fails at random, laws relating to product liability state that the equipment companies that manufactured the equipment can be deemed liable if the injured party can prove the product itself was defective.  The equipment is not deemed broken but rather unsafe for use under the standard conditions for which it was manufactured.  

Causes Of Potential Injury

These are only some ways that members and guests of a fitness center can be injured.  Other ways include:

-         Members that are pushed by a trainer beyond their ability resulting in causing severe injury

-         Members not being educated on the proper use of the centers machines to prevent injury

-         Failure to keep first aid equipment on site and in proper working order

-         Improper supervision at pools

-         Warning guests of any potential hazard

Other Common Causes Of Injury

-         Conditions are unsafe – if the gym and the areas surrounding the facilities are not properly maintained, then the chances of a severe injury are exponentially multiplied. Liability laws state that the premises are responsible for keeping the facilities clean and hazard-free. Potential lawsuits exist, such as for slips and falls due to wet floors or contracting an infection due to unhygienic conditions.

-         Overexertion – members and guests need to know their limitations and listen to their body's warning signs.  Overexerting yourself past your limits can result in physical injury and even cardiac events.  The resulting injuries could include groin pulls, sprains or dislocations, shin, leg, and knee injuries, fractured bones,and in some cases, brain injuries.

The Bryant Law Firm has helped thousands of injury victims in the Greater Houston Area and all across Texas.  Let David A. Bryant, Jr. help you get the appropriate medical treatment and compensation you deserve

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