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No one expects to be injured in a slip and fall accident at the gym, but it does happen. Over 4 million people are injured every year due to sports and recreation activities. Proving gym negligence can be difficult, especially if you signed a liability waiver before joining your gym. If you or someone you know sustained an injury while at the gym, you have options.
What Causes Injuries at the Gym
Slip and falls at the gym are often caused by negligent management and equipment that has not been properly maintained. Gym members may be injured in a slip and fall accident due to slippery floors, broken tiles, and other hazards.
Slip and Fall Injuries
There are many injuries that may result from a slip and fall. Some of these injuries include:
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Brain injuries, including concussion
- Wrist sprains or dislocations
What to do After a Slip and Fall at the Gym
After slipping and falling on property that is not your own, there are steps you should take, especially if you are considering filing a claim. After a slip and fall you should:
- Report the incident to gym staff as soon as it happens. If you wait hours or days, it will be harder to prove that you were injured at the gym. Write down staff members names and job descriptions.
- Obtain witness testimonies. Collect witnesses’ names and contact information if possible.
- Take photos. Be sure to take photos of wet floors or broken equipment. An image can tell someone a lot about what happened.
- Get medical care. Whether you are taken out of the gym by ambulance or drive yourself to the emergency room, be sure to keep track of all your medical records, and medical bills.
Why is it so Hard to Prove Negligence?
Insurance companies may try to argue that you knew that there was a risk that you could get hurt at the gym but chose to join anyway. It may also be hard to prove negligence if your gym had you sign a liability waiver before you joined. Signing a liability waiver gives up your right to hold the gym responsible for any injuries you sustain. Although it is difficult to get around a liability waiver, it is not impossible.
Your lawyer can argue one of two things when it comes to overcome a liability waiver:
- Vague or Ambiguous Language – Waivers can be purposely difficult to understand. When a waiver is open to interpretation, or when there is imprecise language involved, it becomes unenforceable.
- Gross Negligence – Written waivers release your gym from any responsibility if you injure yourself working out too much and pulling a muscle. However, gross negligence can be argued when someone’s injury happened because the gym knowingly neglected to mop up a spill or repair broken equipment.
Virginia Beach Slip and Fall Lawyers Represent Clients Hurt at the Gym Due to Negligence
Slip and fall accidents are common and can happen anywhere when you are not expecting it. If you or someone you know sustained an injury as a result of a slip and fall, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact East Coast Trial Lawyers today to arrange a free consultation with an experienced Virginia Beach slip and fall lawyer. We will consider all the facts surrounding your accident to determine if you have a valid premises liability claim. Call 757-352-2237 today or contact us online. We represent clients in Chesapeake, Eastern Shores, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and throughout the state.
