Going to the gym is supposed to be good for our health, but each year, thousands of Americans suffer injuries at fitness centers. They fall off equipment, drop heavy weights, or push themselves beyond their limits.
The results can be serious injuries, including head injuries. The latter are especially common with treadmills.
Even though there are many dangers in fitness centers, consumers generally are left to fend for themselves to avoid injuries while working out. Local and state governments do not regulate how gyms place their equipment.
However, a brain injury lawsuit by an elderly woman in Sacramento CA against 24 Hour Fitness could be a big game changer, at least in how gyms position their equipment.
In January 2011, the woman apparently fainted while she was on a treadmill and fell backward. She hit her head, fracturing her skull in several places. She was in hospitals for four months to remove blood clots and to relieve pressure on her brain.
Her attorney says that she is able to walk and talk but her brain is impaired. The woman is suing 24 Hour Fitness for $3.8 million. The primary accusation in the complaint is that the gym did not provide an adequate safety zone behind the treadmill.
Our View
Head injuries can be particularly devastating personal injuries. We hope that gyms and fitness centers eventually are regulated by state agencies to ensure that equipment is place safely to reduce the chance of injuries.
If you have suffered a head injury in a gym or anywhere else, our personal injury law firm has published a legal guide that details the options available for people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. You can get your copy here. This guide will provide you with essential information about your legal rights if you suffer a brain injury that someone else may be liable for.
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