Going to a gym provides people with a wide range of different workout options, but it can also be dangerous, especially if you are not familiar with how all of the equipment is supposed to be used. Although most gyms provide trainers to help with this issue, the majority of gym patrons fail to take advantage of this perk because of the additional cost that is associated with it. When an individual becomes injured as a result of their ignorance of proper exercise techniques, they might end up dealing with a very long recovery period. Unfortunately, most gyms have a contract in place that will protect them from being responsible for your injuries.
What if I Slip and Fall?
Unlike an injury that is sustained due to the person’s workout routine, a slip and fall injury is often looked at differently by the legal system. The important aspect of these cases will be to determine if the injured party is in any way negligent for their own injuries. Either a slip and fall lawyer in Virginia or a legal counsel in California would probably predict the same outcome: if you move a set of barbells to a specific location and then you trip over them, it could be very difficult to win a case against the gym. On the other hand, if another patron moved the weights and then walked away, the gym could be held negligent for not paying close enough attention to prevent a potential injury.
Aside from tripping over objects, it is definitely possible for an individual to slip and fall when they are using equipment such as a treadmill, and the shower area can also be treacherous if it is not properly maintained. The main issue from a legal standpoint will be proving that the gym was actually negligent for what happened to you. For example, if you slip on a treadmill because you had a klutzy moment, you might have difficulty getting a judge to take your side. However, if the treadmill was operating in an improper manner and it caused you to slip, you will have a very good chance of winning your case.
Because the gym had you sign a contract that is filled with language that is meant to protect them from a lawsuit, it will be vital to contact an attorney who specializes in slip and fall cases. Keep in mind that not every contract that you sign is actually fully enforceable. In fact, there are many places that fail to properly adhere to the law when they are drafting their contracts. Therefore, your attorney can review the contract to determine the best course of legal action to take.
Anthony Joseph is a freelance author who enjoys discussing issues that impact us on a daily basis, and is contributing this article to help raise fitness safety awareness. Attorney David Benowitz is a highly experienced and skilled slip and fall lawyer in Virginia. He’s been named one of the top 100 trial attorneys in DC by the NTLA, and has a perfect 10/10 rating on AVVO.
Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/irinaslutsky/2460443227/, https://www.flickr.com/photos/bozdoz/4176896135/
