Owners of gyms and fitness centers know their patrons are going to get injured. Those with gym memberships, or even those who use the fitness center only once, are generally required to sign a waiver saying they won’t sue the gym or fitness center should they get hurt. Does that mean you have no options for compensation when you’re injured at the gym? Not necessarily. If you were injured at the gym, contact a lawyer right away to find out what you can do to claim compensation. The following should get you started.
Receive Medical Care
If you allow any time to lapse between your injury and visiting a doctor, the gym’s insurance provider could argue your injuries didn’t actually happen at the gym. For this reason and others, you should receive medical care immediately. If your injury is serious, allow the trainers to call an ambulance. If you are able to move around on your own, contact your primary care physician, head to an urgent care facility, or drive to the nearest emergency room for an evaluation.
Take Good Notes
Write down everything you can remember about the incident while it’s still fresh on your mind. Who was there to witness the accident? What are the names of the trainers who were assisting you? What equipment were you using? Who helped you after the accident? What time did it occur? The more details you can remember, the better.
Collect Records
Every time you receive a medical bill, receipt, or any other type of document relating to your injury, keep a copy for yourself. You should also keep a file of medical records for everything related to the injury, as well as a lost wage statement from your boss if you have missed work due to the injury.
Snap Some Photos
Anything that you have photographic evidence for will give you a stronger argument. If you slipped and fell on a wet floor that didn’t have a notice posted, take a photo of the wet floor. If the equipment was broken, take a picture of that. If you have the proof in a photo, it could make your case more compelling.
Contact a Lawyer
In many cases, the typical gym-goer won’t know how to handle a case if he or she is injured. If you have found yourself in this situation, contact a personal injury lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer in Charlottesville, VA, who can help you seek compensation from the responsible party.
Thanks to MartinWren, P.C. for their insight into the steps you should take after you’re injured at a gym.