Fitness Centers May Be Liable for Injuries Sustained by Patrons
In this landmark decision, a New Jersey jury awarded a 35-year-old police officer $3 million in damages after he suffered a serious injury at a local sports club. The case, which centered on the negligence by the gym’s management, underscores the importance of safety standards in sports, entertainment and fitness facilities. In this case, the issue at hand was the spacing and supervision of exercise equipment.
The injured party was engaged in a workout at the defendant’s sports club when the incident occurred. At the time of the injury, the officer was using a donkey-calf-raising machine, a common piece of gym equipment designed to strengthen the lower legs. As he stood up after completing a set, he was struck by a moving part of an adjacent weight machine, which was positioned just 16 inches away from his station.
The impact of the collision was devastating. The officer sustained severe injuries, including fractures to his orbital bone and nose, a corneal abrasion, and the herniation of his eye muscle. Despite undergoing two surgeries, the plaintiff continues to suffer from permanent double vision when looking to his right. The injuries have left him with visible scarring on his nose and have significantly impacted his ability to engage in physical activities with his children.
Central to the plaintiff’s case was the argument that the 16-inch distance between the machines violated industry standards. The plaintiff’s legal team argued that such close proximity posed an inherent risk to gym-goers, a risk that was tragically realized in this case. A fellow gym patron testified that he had previously lodged complaints about the tight spacing of the machines, but his concerns were allegedly ignored by the gym’s management.
The defense attempted to counter by arguing that the plaintiff, an experienced gym-goer, should have been more cautious when using the equipment. They also brought in a recreational expert who contended that the plaintiff failed to take adequate precautions for his own safety. However, during cross-examination, this expert conceded that the gym’s setup did indeed violate industry standards and contributed to the accident.
The plaintiff’s legal team also criticized the gym for failing to provide adequate supervision on the gym floor, a measure they argued could have prevented the accident. Despite the defense’s assertions, the jury found the sports club fully liable for the injuries, concluding that the gym’s negligence directly led to the officer’s severe and lasting injuries.
The verdict, which awarded the injured party $3 million in damages, reflects both the gravity of the injuries sustained and the jury’s condemnation of the gym’s failure to maintain a safe environment for its patrons.
The case serves as a stark reminder to fitness facilities nationwide about the critical importance of adhering to industry safety standards and ad
dressing potential hazards promptly. Considering that more than 400,000 people are injured in using fitness equipment each year, with a large percentage occurring in fitness centers, this case reinforces that the injured may be due compensation. For those who have been injured, it’s advisable to consult with expert personal injury attorneys who have experience in this type of case.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the fitness center to ensure the facility and its machines are safe to use for patrons. Even treadmills can result in serious injury. Clark Stevenson, owner of the Treadmill Doctor, a treadmill repair company in Memphis Tennessee told CNN, “There are all kinds of dangers with treadmills, because they’re machines,”. These dangers can increase significantly when the proper maintenance isn’t performed on a regular basis.
In this case, for the injured officer, who returned to duty six months after the incident, the ruling provides a measure of justice for an injury that has altered his life permanently. While the compensation cannot fully restore his physical condition, it recognizes the pain, suffering, and ongoing challenges he faces as a result of the gym’s negligence.
As gyms and fitness centers continue to be a staple in the daily routines of millions, this case may well prompt a reevaluation of safety protocols across the industry, ensuring that patrons can pursue their health goals without undue risk.