When you sign up for a gym, you may be excited to start prioritizing your health. However, when you suffer injuries while enjoying your time in the facility, this can set you back significantly on your journey while you incur astronomical medical bills. As such, understanding who can face liability for the injuries you’ve endured is critical. That’s why it’s in your best interest to contact an Ouachita Parish, Louisiana personal injury lawyer to discuss the details of your circumstances. The following blog also explores how these injuries can happen and who you can hold liable for the damages you’ve endured.
How Can Gym Injuries Occur?
There are a number of ways in which someone can sustain an injury while exercising at a gym. In some instances, this could be an accident in which a member doesn’t use the correct form or lifts a weight that is too heavy. Though these can cause pain, they are not the result of another person’s negligence, so no compensation can be pursued.
However, there are a number of instances in which another person’s negligence can lead to injuries. These include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Broken or damaged equipment left on the floor for use
- Defective machinery
- Improperly assembled machinery or equipment
- Failure to clean spills or wet spots on the ground
- Failure to perform routine inspection and maintenance of machinery
- Improperly installed fixtures like squat racks, pull-up bars, or punching bags
- Leaving equipment or supplies in an area where someone could trip
It’s also important to note that injuries due to improper form or incorrect weights can occur under the supervision of a personal trainer hired by the gym or fitness facility. If they are not qualified or do not take the time to properly assess your fitness levels, you can become injured as a result of their misguidance.
Who Can Face Liability?
Generally, when someone suffers injuries due to unsafe conditions or equipment at the gym, it’s necessary to understand who can be held liable for the damages. In most instances, the facility’s owner will face responsibility, as it is ultimately their job to ensure the facility is safe for members. Similarly, they must ensure staff are trained to respond to and remedy hazards.
Additionally, gym owners are responsible for ensuring personal trainers hired to help members are qualified. If someone is injured because of their misguidances, the trainer and gym may face liability for damages.
Though unfortunate, injuries caused by the negligence of another person can be life-altering, as they can leave victims in pain with extensive medical bills. As such, understanding that you do not have to suffer in silence is critical. At Breithaupt, DuBos, & Wolleson, we recognize how frustrating these times can be. That’s why our team is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you are entitled to for the losses you’ve suffered. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you.
