Gyms and fitness facilities can be dangerous environments without the proper safety protocols in place. If you became injured in a gym, you may wonder whether you can hold the facility accountable.
The answer depends on a range of factors, such as how the injury occurred, whether you signed a waiver, and more. An experienced legal professional can review the circumstances of your accident and explain your rights and options.
Speak with a premises liability lawyer in NYC for more information.
Common Causes of Injuries in Fitness Facilities
Injuries can happen in gyms and fitness facilities for a range of reasons. Some are attributable to the gym owner’s negligence, while others may be the responsibility of the injured person.
Here are a few common causes of injuries in NYC gyms:
- Equipment malfunctions
- Improper use of equipment
- Wet floors
- Exercising while fatigued
- Training at maximum intensity for too long
- Using equipment while distracted
Questions To Ask When Determining Whether You Can Hold a Gym Liable
Gym accidents can produce serious injuries that require significant medical intervention. Determining whether you can seek legal compensation from the facility or another party can help you understand how to move forward from this event.
An NYC premises liability lawyer can explain how personal injury law applies to your case, helping you explore grounds for legal action.
In the meantime, asking yourself the following questions may be a good starting point for determining whether you can hold a gym liable for injuries.
Did You Sign a Waiver?
Many gyms require gymgoers and members to sign a waiver before they can begin using workout equipment. Waivers generally outline the foreseeable risks associated with gym activities.
These waivers may protect the facility against certain forms of liability, depending on the language in the waiver and its validity. However, they are not always enforceable and do not provide complete protection against all liability.
If the gym exhibited gross negligence, you may still have grounds for legal action against them. But if your injury falls within the terms of an enforceable waiver, you may not be able to hold the facility legally accountable.
Your gym injury lawyer in NYC can review the terms of any waivers you signed and explain how they may apply to your case.
How Did the Injury Occur?
The circumstances surrounding your accident play a significant role in your eligibility for a personal injury lawsuit. To hold the facility accountable, you would generally need to prove the following:
- The gym/business owner owed you a duty of care.
- The gym breached its duty of care.
- An accident occurred due to the breach.
- You suffered injuries in the accident.
Gyms present unique safety risks compared to certain other businesses. When you start a gym membership, pay to use a gym one time, or sign a waiver, you demonstrate that you understand the known dangers of these facilities and are voluntarily exposing yourself to them. But if the injury happened outside of these known dangers, there may be grounds for premises liability claims.
Was Negligence at Play?
To hold a gym accountable, you would need to show that the hazard that caused the injury was outside of the typical hazardous conditions you would expect in a gym. You would also generally need to show that the gym owner was aware or should have been aware of the hazard, yet failed to mitigate it. These are elements of negligence.
If you cannot prove that another party was negligent in your accident, you may not be able to seek compensation.
Examples of gym owner negligence may include:
- Negligent property maintenance: If the gym owner failed to maintain the premises to a reasonable standard, leading to an injury, they may be liable.
- Faulty installation or equipment maintenance: Gym owners may be negligent in accidents caused by equipment malfunctions if they installed the equipment incorrectly or failed to maintain it.
- Insufficient supervision or unqualified staff: Gym staff have some level of responsibility to ensure the safe use of equipment. A lack of qualified supervision might also point to negligence.
- Failure to warn about known hazards: When gym owners are aware of equipment malfunctions or other hazards, they should post clear signage warning about these hazards to prevent accidents.
Seek Legal Guidance From Our Personal Injury Law Firm in New York
Understanding negligence and liability in the context of gym accidents can be challenging, as numerous variables may influence a gym’s role in an accident. Consulting an NYC premises liability lawyer can help you better understand your options.
Ross & Hill represents victims across a range of personal injury cases in NYC. Learn more about choosing the right premises liability attorney, then call 646-351-6222 for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are gym injuries?
Gym injuries are more common than many people think. In 2024, as many as 4.4 million people received treatment in emergency departments for injuries involving recreational and sports equipment, including equipment used at home and at the gym. Exercise equipment injuries outranked all other sports and recreational injuries. The same study found that individuals aged 25-64 were more likely to experience exercise equipment-related injuries than other age groups.
Are gyms responsible for injuries?
Gyms may be responsible for injuries that occur due to a hazard outside of the regular risks associated with exercising in a fitness facility. You would need to show that the gym owner knew or reasonably should have known about the hazard, yet failed to mitigate it.
Do gyms have a duty of care?
Gyms do have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent injuries. This may include keeping the premises clean, maintaining equipment, and warning visitors about unsafe gym equipment or malfunctions.
Can you sue if you become injured at the gym?
You may be able to sue if you can prove the gym’s negligence and if its liability insurance does not fully cover your damages. An NYC premises liability lawyer can discuss your case and legal options with you.
