As a gym buddy, you know the importance of high-quality equipment. Besides helping you get the most out of your training, using the right equipment ensures your safety. Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, there is still a chance that you will get injured at the gym if you accidentally use defective equipment. What do you do when this happens?
Seek Medical Attention
When you get injured, the first step is to seek medical attention. If the injury is minor, wash it with running water and apply first aid. On the other hand, if the injury is severe, you may need to visit the ER, so call 911 or ask someone near you to do it. After getting the medical help you need, you can proceed to the next step: contacting a lawyer for legal help after an injury caused by a defective product. However, you can take some other steps to resolve the matter quietly before opting for a lawsuit.
Report To Gym Management
It is important to let the gym management know what is happening. Contact them as soon as possible and provide vivid details about the incident. This will help them identify and replace the defective product because there is a good chance the management isn’t aware of the product defect. Also, ask them to give you a copy of the incident report and video footage of the accident since most gyms have internal cameras on standby.
Document Everything
Document everything you can from start to finish. Take videos and photos of the accident scene and the defective equipment. Make sure the videos are clear enough for the defect to show. It also helps to document your injuries and take a copy of the doctor’s report, as these could all be used as evidence if the case reaches the courts. Also, a video of your interaction with the gym management could be useful.
Talk To Eye Witnesses
It’s a gym so there definitely must have been one or two people who saw the incident. Ask them if they can give you their contact information. Having eye witness statements can help boost your case significantly. So, ask those who witnessed the incident if they will be willing to leave statements.
Talk To A Personal Injury Attorney
If the injury is severe and you feel you deserve some form of compensation, make sure you contact a personal injury attorney. The attorney will help you determine if your case has enough merit for a lawsuit. They will ask if you had to visit a chiropractor or a doctor after the incident and tell you to submit the reports. If it does, they will help you navigate the entire compensation process for a fee.
File a Claim or Lawsuit
Your attorney might reach out to the gym for compensation outside the courtroom. However, if the gym doesn’t cooperate, the next way forward is to file a lawsuit at your local court. The lawsuit can be against the gym, against the equipment manufacturer, or both. Your lawyer will recommend the best option based on the unique circumstances of your case.
Conclusion
No one likes getting injured at the gym, but the steps above can help you get the treatment and compensation you deserve if you ever find yourself in this situation.
