The common gym injuries include shoulder injury, sprained ankle, muscle strain, shin splint, knee injury, dislocation, and wrist sprain. Intense workout can lead to serious injuries that should be treated promptly.
Gym owners are responsible for gym injuries, unless gym goers sign a valid liability waiver, protecting the gym owners from personal injury lawsuits. But, it doesn’t mean that gym goers don’t need to prepare for such types of incidents. In that regard, you may contact firms such as 1800injured.care to get legal advice.
As a gym goer, it’s also crucial to know the steps to do when you suffer an injury at the gym, which will be discussed in detail below.
Seek Medical Treatment
Everybody has fitness goals, striving to maintain a healthy immune system especially during this time of pandemic. While many people have resorted to creating a home gym, going to gyms and fitness centers is still in-demand.
Gyms and fitness centers are most sought because they have professional trainers, modern equipment, and safe facilities. However, workout injuries can still occur in these premises. And, what’s the first step you’ll need to do if you suffer from an injury at the gym? Don’t delay. If you wait to schedule an appointment or leave it to “heal on its own”, it might get even worse. See a doctor immediately to get prompt treatment for your injuries. This step is crucial in order to document your injuries.
Here are the worst gym injuries needing prompt medical treatment:
- Pectoral Injury: Tear in the chest muscle usually happens when you lose control of the barbell or dumbbell during a bench press. The patient feels a tearing sensation, and the upper arm and chest turn black and blue, a sign of internal bruising or bleeding.
- Bicep Tendon Rupture: The tendon attaching the bicep muscle to the forearm bone may rupture due to excessive barbell or dumbbell weight, or suddenly dropping weights. The affected part also turns blue and back. This injury can be prevented by seeking a spotter’s help.
- Labral Tear: This injury is characterized by a licking sound in the shoulder during a military press or chest press. It’s indicative of the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint giving way.
- Fractured Sternum: When the bench press bar crashes your chest, the bone in the middle or sternum may get fractured. It’s the worst gym nightmare that can damage the trachea and impede proper breathing, considering it an emergency case.
Report Injuries To The Management
Gym injuries could be caused by human errors, such as overexertion or personal trainer negligence, or faulty gym equipment. Whatever you think caused your injury, it’s important to report a gym injury to the management as soon as possible.
Most reputable gyms or fitness centers have standard operating procedures when an injury happens. They’re insured and bonded to protect themselves and gym goers when such situations arise. When they receive injury reports, gym managers take appropriate actions to safeguard the health and safety of injured gym goers.
Report the time, date, and details of the incident. You can write a detailed report of what happened, and have the gym management sign the document to keep everything black and white. Observe how the gym owner or manager handles the situation. If you’re not satisfied with their action, then proceed to the next step.
Seek Legal Advice
Depending on the cause of your injury, it’s imperative to talk to a personal injury lawyer to know your legal options. You can file a personal injury claim if you believe the gym owner or management failed to enforce safety measures or acted negligently.
Here’s how a personal injury lawyer can help gym injury victims:
- Gather Evidence To Prove Your Claim: Your lawyer will ensure that you have substantial evidence, such as medical documentation of your gym injuries. This is to ensure that you’ll be provided with a fair amount of compensation by the insurance company if the trainer or gym owner is found negligent.
- Negotiate: While the gym or fitness center is insured, the insurance company might reduce the amount of your settlement or totally nullify your claim. Your personal injury lawyer will talk with the gym owner or insurance company to make negotiations concerning your case, especially if you sustained severe injuries that would entail long-term treatment.
- Seek Just Compensation: Investigation will be carried out, and your lawyer will analyze all evidence for you to obtain maximum amount of compensation for your gym injuries.
Conclusion
Gym injuries can happen to anybody. They can be caused by different factors, such as negligence on the part of the gym goer, the gym management, the trainer, or faulty equipment. Reporting the incident to the management is advisable so they can take immediate actions, like contacting the emergency hotline or bringing you to the hospital. In any case, it’s important that you know your rights and you’re informed on what steps to take in this situation.