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Even Minor Fitness Injuries can be Costly

by / Published in General

Even Minor Fitness Injuries can be Costly

Neck and back injuries. Torn muscles. Displaced vertebrae. Broken bones. Stumbles and falls. These are just some of the injuries fitness program/class participants experience that could lead to claims of negligence against a fitness trainer. It doesn’t matter how risky the exercise might be—whether it’s weight-training, endurance training, aerobics, or any other discipline, there’s potential for injury to those taking part.

No trainer wants to be the reason for a client’s injury. The guilt of causing an injury, and subsequent discomfort, is hard enough to deal with. But if the client sues you for damages, things could go from bad to worse quickly.

The following claim examples illustrate how suddenly accidents can occur, and that even minor fitness injures can be costly. Even the most careful instruction can cause unfortunate results.

  • At the direction of a Pilates instructor, a woman participating in a class stood on a foam roller, rolled forward slightly and fell to her mat, fracturing her wrist. While not yet settled, medical and investigation expenses of nearly $4,000 have already been incurred.
  • A woman attending a weight-lifting class appeared to be lifting within her fitness capabilities. However, she later reported she was seeking physical therapy for a neck injury caused by lifting weight in excess of her ability. While a suit was never filed against the fitness facility or the trainer, the claim incurred investigation and monitoring expenses in excess of $7,000.

These claim examples involve clients who suffered minor injuries, yet the costs to manage the claims are thousands of dollars. When minor fitness injuries can be costly, imagine the cost of more serious injuries like a heart attack or severe neck or back injury. Even if there are underlying factors that are found to contribute to a serious injury, a good attorney will, no doubt, allege negligence of the fitness professional when defending their client.

What makes for a valid lawsuit?

In order for a claim of negligence to be a legitimate means of reimbursement for expenses, physical harm or injury (as confirmed by a physician) must have taken place. Once the injury has been validated, compensable damages could include medical expenses, lost wages, economic losses, mental distress, loss of quality of life and permanent damage.

Even if a gym’s protocol is to have clients sign a liability waiver indemnifying them from any liabilities for injury and putting the risk back on the client, there is the potential it might not hold up in court. If a case of injury is proven to be at the negligence of the facility or one of its trainers, the client will almost always win the case.

While you can never predict what might happen to a client during training, adept fitness professionals should always take the necessary steps to help ensure their clients are performing at levels that are a match for their personal fitness aptitude. They should give complete instruction and guidance for each and every movement—all in the name of safety. Fitness professionals also need to understand the importance of securing a Professional Liability Insurance policy. It’s the best defense against the unexpected. Learn about the personal training insurance offered by Lockton Fitness.

 

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