For many Floridians, hitting the gym is a routine part of their weekly activities. While exercise offers numerous health benefits, it's important to remember that accidents can happen even in a gym setting. Injuries sustained during workouts are not uncommon, but if negligence is involved, you may be able to recover compensation.
Gym injuries and liability
A gym-related injury refers to any harm sustained while working out within a gym or fitness center. These injuries can result from various factors, including malfunctioning equipment, inadequate staff assistance or poor facility maintenance.
When it comes to gym-related injuries, different Florida injury laws apply, depending on the circumstances. If your injury results from the negligence of the gym or its staff, you could potentially file a personal injury lawsuit under Florida's negligence laws. For example, gym owners have the legal responsibility to maintain their premises to avoid causing injury. If you were injured after slipping on a puddle they knew or should have known about, they could be held responsible.
Alternatively, if defective gym equipment leads to your injury, you might have grounds to sue the manufacturer, distributor or certain other parties under Florida's product liability laws.
Gym liability waivers
What if you signed a waiver? Does that mean you’re completely barred from a claim? Gym waivers, also known as liability waivers or release of liability agreements, are legal documents that individuals typically sign before engaging in physical activities at a gym or fitness facility. These waivers are designed to limit the gym's liability in case of injuries sustained by participants during their workouts. While gym waivers can offer some level of protection to the gym, they do not always prevent someone from suing for an injury.
The enforceability of a gym waiver can vary depending on several factors, including the specific language used in the waiver, applicable state laws and the circumstances surrounding the injury—so it’s crucial you talk to a lawyer.
If you've been injured at a gym, consult a skilled Sarasota, FL personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh right away.