Gym Injury Claims

Can I claim for a Gym Injury?

Many of us join a gym to get in shape, but the array of specialist equipment and the battery of drills can be quite daunting. The initial period when out-of-condition bodies meet a heavy exercise machine is a potentially dangerous one and the risk of injury is high. Most gyms will insist on going through a health screening questionnaire and induction for new members, but not all do and some are not thorough.

If an accident occurs because you have not been properly trained in the use of the gym equipment then you may have a claim against the gym.

Sometimes a piece of gym equipment malfunctions because it has worn out or is missing a part. The gym will be responsible for defects that they knew about or ought to have known about.

Gym instructors may appear to be trained experts. Whilst they should be trained in the use of the equipment in their gym they are unlikely to have any specialist accreditation or professional expertise, and may not be as ‘expert’ as you think. If you suffer an injury whilst under tuition it may be that the instructor has misunderstood your capabilities or failed to give you the proper care and attention.

If you gave been injured in a gym accident it is important to obtain details of any witnesses and if the cause was a faulty machine to take a photograph of the defective part.

How much compensation can I claim for a gym injury?

The compensation you can claim for a gym injury depends on various factors, including the nature and severity of your injury, the circumstances under which the injury occurred, and its long-term impact on your life and earnings. Here are some examples:

• Minor Injuries: For sprains, minor fractures, or soft tissue injuries where recovery is quick, compensation might range from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.
• Moderate Injuries: Injuries that require extensive recovery time but do not result in permanent damage, such as serious ligament damage or broken bones, can claim higher amounts.
• Severe Injuries: For serious injuries leading to chronic conditions, long-term disability, or significant lifestyle changes, the compensation can be substantial, potentially reaching tens or hundreds of thousands of pounds.

For an estimate tailored to your specific circumstances, speak to one of our personal injury solicitors. They will assess the details of your case and provide a more accurate figure of the amount of compensation you could receive.

How much does it cost to make a claim?

Most personal injury claims are made on a no win, no fee basis. This means that you won’t have to pay any upfront legal fees to start your claim. Instead, your solicitor’s fees will be deducted from the compensation awarded if the case is successful.

Gym Injury Client Story

Osbornes acted for a young woman who attended a trampolining class at college. In the first session, she was not properly trained or supervised. She found herself sharing a trampoline with another, heavier student so that when he landed it caused her to land prematurely, and awkwardly so that her knee caught her face and she fractured her jaw. The fracture needed surgical wiring and she was unable to eat solids for the first few weeks. She was left with a minor defect in her bite and occasional pain. The college initially denied liability but when presented with further evidence they accepted the sports injury claim and a settlement of about £9000 was agreed upon.

Common gym injuries we see

Gym injuries are rarely the obvious one of overdoing it. The claims we see follow predictable failings: equipment that should have been serviced, supervision that wasn’t there, or instruction that pushed beyond capability.

Faulty equipment injuries. Cable machines that snap, treadmills with broken safety cord cut-outs, free weights with worn collars and benches that collapse cause some of the most serious injuries we deal with: spinal damage, head injuries and crush injuries. Gyms are required to inspect, maintain and service equipment; service logs are usually the deciding evidence.

Treadmill falls. Falling on a treadmill at running speed causes severe friction burns, fractures and head injury, particularly where the safety cord is missing or not enforced. Falling off the rear of a treadmill near a wall or other equipment makes the injuries worse.

Free weight crush injuries. Heavy dumbbells, barbells and Olympic plates falling onto feet, hands and chests cause fractures and crush injuries. Where weights were stored badly, racks were overloaded or no spotter was available for heavy bench work, liability is usually clear.

Personal trainer and instructor negligence. PTs who push clients beyond their physical capacity, ignore disclosed health conditions or use incorrect form correction cause back injuries, hernias and shoulder damage. The PT and the gym are usually both insured.

Slips and falls on gym floors. Wet floors in changing rooms, around pools and from spilled water bottles cause slip injuries that fall on standard occupier liability principles. Loose mats, trailing cables and equipment left in walkways are common contributing failings.

Class injuries. Spin classes, HIIT classes and group strength sessions cause injury where the instructor fails to assess participants, skips warm-ups or pushes beginners onto exercises beyond their level. Rhabdomyolysis cases from extreme group sessions have become more common.

Swimming pool, sauna and spa injuries. Drowning and near-drowning, chemical burns from incorrectly dosed pool chemistry, slips on tiled surfaces and burns from faulty sauna equipment all feature. Pool operators owe an enhanced duty of care.

Children’s gym injuries. Soft play centres, trampoline parks and family gyms are responsible for the safety of children using their facilities. Inadequate matting, untrained staff and overcrowding produce the injuries we claim for on behalf of parents.

How can Osbornes Law help?

If you’ve suffered an injury while training at the gym, you may be entitled to compensation. Our expert solicitors will guide you through the claims process and secure the best possible outcome. Contact us today for a consultation. Call 020 7485 8811 or fill in the contact form below.