Gym injury lawsuits in California are not uncommon. Some of the most common injuries happen in fitness centers. How can we prevent these injuries? This article will inform you of what steps to take if you or someone you know has been injured at a fitness center. In most cases, fitness center injuries are the result of carelessness.
- Instructors (see our article on personal trainer negligence lawsuits)
- Owners of a gym
- Third-party contractors in charge of equipment inspection and maintenance and/or
- Other members at the gymnasium
Anyone injured in a fitness center accident may file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible under personal injury law. Members of a gym may also be able to file a product defect lawsuit against an equipment manufacturer for injuries sustained while using defective equipment.
Can I Sue if I Get Hurt in a Gym Accident?
Fitness center injuries are common and can cause serious damage to the victim. Injuries may be caused by a defect in the equipment, faulty construction, or even improper maintenance. Gym injuries are frequently caused by the following factors:
- Injuries caused by a slip-and-fall
- Defective and faulty equipment
- Product liability
- Employee negligence
- Negligent hiring
- Unsafe working conditions
- Premises liability
- Inadequate equipment maintenance
- Members of the gym who are irresponsible
- Fights between members, as well as intentional actions on the part of employees
Victims of injuries sustained at a gym or fitness center can frequently recover monetary damages. A personal injury lawsuit can be filed to seek compensation for your injuries. If you are injured in a gym-related accident, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:
- Wages lost
- medical bills
- pain and suffering
- property damage, and/or
- punitive damages
Under California’s negligence laws, a negligent party is liable for any injuries caused to another. You may not know what caused a fitness center injury accident or who was at fault. There could have been a number of factors that contributed to the accident that were not apparent at the time. An investigation may be required to determine who was at fault so that the injured victim can receive compensation.
Who is to Blame for a Fitness Center Injury?
After a fitness center injury, anyone who was partially responsible for the injury may be held liable for damages. This could include anyone who directly caused the injury or anyone who failed to follow proper safety procedures.
If you were not at fault in any way, this does not mean that you will be automatically exempt from liability and damages should still be sought if another party contributed to your injuries. Following a gym injury accident, the following parties may be held responsible:
- Property owners
- Trainers who own a gym
- Employees at a fitness center
- Other gym goers Manufacturers of gym equipment
- Third-party inspectors and maintainers of equipment
What Should I do if I Get Hurt at the Gym?
Many gym injuries involve trauma to the neck, spine, back, or head. These injuries can be difficult to identify, however. You may not experience severe pain after the injury and believe that nothing is wrong.
Some people are also tempted to “tough it out” or “walk it off.” However, you should not take any chances with serious head, neck, or back injuries that could result in long-term problems. You should seek medical attention immediately following a gym injury. Even if you are unsure whether you require medical attention, you should consult with your doctor.
There are many ways to prevent these injuries from happening including wearing supportive shoes for any type of exercise, getting proper instruction on how to use machines before using them alone, stretching before exercising to reduce soreness later on in the day and warming up with a five-minute jog or walking session before beginning an intense workout.
Following a gym injury, you may want to obtain contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. If there was an equipment malfunction, you should request that the gym keep the faulty equipment so that it can be inspected by an expert under investigation. Be sure to take photos of the area around the accident, including any obstacles or conditions that may have contributed to your injury. Pictures will be of benefit to your case.
Ask Us Anything Regarding Gym Injury Lawsuits in California
If you or someone you know has been involved in a personal injury at a fitness center, please feel free to contact KAASS Law by calling 310.943.1171. Our team of experienced attorneys will be sure to get you the compensation you need for the severity of your case.