A CT Gym Injury Lawyer Discusses the Dangers
You go the gym to get in shape and improve your health, but sometimes a workout can lead to a serious injury.
Recently, a Massachusetts woman was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis (also known as rhabdo) after taking a spin class at a gym. According to a report on People.com, she got off the bike and fell to the floor. Her legs swelled and were sore. These are classic symptoms of rhabdo. She also experienced dark urine in addition to having trouble walking and getting around.
Rhabdo is a gym-related injury that often can happen through no fault of the person doing a workout. Gym injuries often happen because of the negligence of the facility. Injuries at gyms – and they come in all forms – can be life altering. If you or a loved one is injured, you may be entitled to recover damages for losses which may include medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the injury.
Common Gym Injuries
A gym typically includes exercise machines with heavy moving components. The machines require routine maintenance. Staff often are assigned to help people with their workouts. That typically includes explaining how to use the equipment safely.
An accident can happen quickly if the gym is poorly maintained and/or if staff is not properly trained.
The following are some common injuries that happen because of gym negligence:
- Pulled hamstrings
- Torn ligaments
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck injuries
- Knee injuries
- Deep cuts or lacerations
How Do Accidents in a Workout Facility Happen?
There are several common causes of gym accidents in exercise centers. They include the following:
- Faulty or defective equipment
- Poorly maintained equipment or a lack of maintenance
- Broken equipment
- Trainers who fail to properly instruct users
- Overtraining
- Staff who are not adequately trained to help users of the gym
- Gym users who fail to use equipment properly and put others at risk
- Failing to clean equipment
Who is Responsible for a Gym Accident?
An injury at a gym can have a life-changing impact. But how does a gym injury attorney establish liability? Your lawyer will need to investigate to determine who is responsible.
The following scenarios show which parties might be responsible for the accident:
- The gym owner: The company may have failed to provide a clean environment or hire staff who were fully trained to instruct users to safely work with the equipment. The gym also might be responsible for not maintaining equipment or leaving clutter in the walking areas which could lead to a trip-and-fall accident.
- Equipment manufacturer: Machines sometimes are defective, which can cause accidents.
- Other users of the gym: A member of the gym may cause an injury to another person through careless or reckless actions.
If you’re working out with a trainer, such as participating in a spin class, the trainer should monitor the members. A competent trainer should know to recognize signs that a member is overexerting themselves or overtraining. Excessive workouts can lead to any number of accidents, including a rhabdomyolysis gym injury.
Talk to an Injury Attorney About Your Options
Accidents in gyms can lead to complicated claims. An experienced lawyer can investigate to determine who is liable. The party that is responsible may deny any wrongdoing. They may argue that you signed a waiver. That doesn’t mean you do not have a claim.
Some accident victims might give up in frustration. That’s why it’s a good idea to contact a gym injury attorney for a free consultation.
Contact Attorney Jeremy Vishno, who brings more than 25 years of experience handling complex cases. Attorney Vishno will listen to you and help you decide the best course of action. Remember, the case evaluation is free, and we get paid only if you win your case.