Exercise is important for both your mental and physical health, so going to the gym is often a priority. However, gyms can be dangerous, and accidents are bound to happen. Whether you were injured from a faulty piece of equipment, a slip and fall, improper training, or just overdoing it, it is important to understand your legal rights, including whether you can sue the gym after your accident. To learn more and secure skilled legal assistance, reach out to a knowledgeable Washington D.C. injury attorney today.
What is Premises Liability?
Premises liability is a legal doctrine that holds property owners (or occupants, lessees, etc.) responsible for keeping their premises reasonably safe for lawful guests and visitors. This law states that property owners owe a duty of care to those who enter their property to perform inspections and maintenance on the premises and warn guests about hazards.
Premises liability law applies to businesses as well, including gyms. Under this doctrine, gyms must comply with safety standards and abide by the duty of care to their members. This can include:
- Performing regular inspections and maintenance of equipment to ensure proper functioning
- Identify and fix hazards like leaks, spills, poor lighting, tripping hazards, and other dangers
- Provide enough staff to properly manage the premises
- Adequately train employees
The above and more are ways that a gym is expected to look out for members and provide a safe environment reasonably free from risk of harm.
Can I Sue My Gym After an Accident in Washington D.C.?
If you were involved in an accident at the gym, yes, you can pursue legal action. Your success in doing so, however, will vary based on the details of the situation. In order to win your case, you must be able to prove that the gym was negligent in some way or violated premises liability laws.
If the gym caused your accident and injury by failing to train staff properly, maintain equipment, etc., you will likely be able to hold them accountable. However, you must establish the following key elements of negligence.
- Duty of care: The gym owed you a duty of care to maintain a reasonably safe environment
- Breach of duty: The gym breached the duty of care by failing to prioritize safety
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused or contributed to your accident and injury
- Damages: You sustained actual economic or non-economic damages as a result of the accident and injury
When you sign up for a gym, you generally sign a waiver stating that you acknowledge the risks of working out and will not sue the company for injuries. If you were responsible for your injury because you overworked yourself or misused equipment, you will probably not be able to sue or will not win your case.
However, if you can prove that negligence on the part of the gym caused your injury, you could have a valid claim. To learn more and obtain legal representation, reach out to an experienced attorney today.