Gym Accident Compensation: Making a Claim

Gym accident compensation claims are very common, especially since more and more people are starting to use gyms. Gym equipment and machines are often heavy, making them very dangerous, and injuries which are suffered at the gym can often be serious. If you have been injured in an accident at the gym, which wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation.

Common Causes of Gym Accidents

Beacon Law have dealt with a number of gym accident compensation claims. There are many types of hazards in a gym which could lead to accidents. Common gym injuries include sprains, strains, fractured limbs and head injuries. The most common causes of gym accidents include:

• Poorly maintained or faulty equipment
• Poorly cleaned equipment and facilities, leading to infections
• Wet floors and uneven flooring leading to slips, trips and falls
• Gym equipment and weights being left on the floor by other gym members, leading to tripping hazards
• Accidents caused by other gym members, for example, being struck by another member using a free weight
• Inadequate induction sessions
• Improper or inadequate instruction by a personal trainer or fitness class teacher

If you have been involved in an accident at the gym which has not been listed above, you may still be able to make a gym injury compensation claim. Our specialist personal injury solicitors will be able to let you know if we think you have grounds to make a claim.

Am I Entitled to Gym Accident Compensation?

All gym owners have a duty of care to ensure a safe environment for all gym users under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. This duty means that they must take reasonable steps to ensure health and safety standards are met and to prevent accidents in the gym. Some of the steps which should be taken by the gym owners include:

• Regularly checking and inspecting gym equipment
• Having sufficient housekeeping measures in place
• Ensuring the gym floor is clean and free from defects or obstructions
• Ensuring all equipment is clean and free from defects
• Ensuring all gym staff are adequately trained and qualified
• Ensuring all gym members are offered an adequate induction
• Having safe systems in place to minimise the risk of injury to all gym users

To be successful in making a gym accident compensation claim, you must be able to show that the owners of the gym have been negligent and that their negligence was the cause of your accident and injury.

Accidents at the gym are common, and sometimes there is no one responsible. In these circumstances, you will be unable to make a gym injury claim as there will be no one to place the blame on. If you believe your gym injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact us today to start your claim.

I Have Been Injured at the Gym, What Should I Do?

If you have suffered an accident whilst at the gym, you should always report the accident to the gym manager or a member of staff and request that the accident is recorded in an accident book or on an accident report form. You should also request a copy of this report. If possible, you should take photographs of the scene of the accident, or the equipment which caused your accident, as well as photographs of your injuries.

If there were any witnesses to your accident, you should try to obtain their name and contact details so that we can request a witness statement from them.

You should always seek medical attention for your injuries at a hospital, or with your G.P, to have them assessed and treated. Make sure you keep copies of any receipts for medical treatment, or parking expenses incurred by you as a result of the accident so that you can claim them back later.

If you are considering making a claim for gym accident compensation, contact Beacon Law to speak to a member of our team about your accident. We will let you know if we think you have a case, and we will discuss the claims process and funding with you. We offer our claims on a no-win, no-fee basis, which means that you will not be required to pay our legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful. As long as you co-operate and are honest throughout the case, you will only be required to pay our fees if your claim is successful. Our fees will be deducted from your compensation on the successful conclusion of your case.

If you are unsure as to whether you should make a claim for gym accident compensation, have a read of our recent article.

There is a three-year time limit on making any type of personal injury claim (although this can be extended in certain circumstances), so it is best to initiate the claim soon after the date of the gym accident. When you are ready to speak to someone about making a gym accident compensation claim, get in touch with Beacon Law using the contact details below, or by filling in the form on our “contact us” page.

How Much Gym Accident Compensation Will I Receive?

It is difficult to make a valuation on your injuries from the beginning of the claim. Your compensation award will be split into general damages for your injuries, and special damages for your additional losses.

The amount of general damages which you recover will be based on your pain, suffering and loss of amenity. The valuation of your general damages will be based on the type and severity of the injury sustained. Personal Injury compensation can be anything from £1,000 to £100,000 (or more) depending on the seriousness of the injuries. It is therefore very difficult to assess the level of damages you may be entitled to without first assessing your injuries and your case in detail.

You may be required to attend an appointment with an independent medical expert who will assess your injuries and provide a detailed report on the severity of your injuries and any further treatment which may be required.

You will also be able to make a claim for special damages which covers any additional losses you sustained as a result of the accident. These can include:

• Loss of earnings for any time taken off work as a result of the sustained injuries.
• Medical treatment costs.
• Travel costs for journeys to and from appointments.
• Compensation for additional care and assistance required as a result of your injures – either paid or unpaid.

When Will I Receive my Compensation? 

The amount of time taken to settle a gym accident compensation claim will depend on the details of the case itself and the complexities within the case. The majority of claims can last anywhere from six months to 2-3 years to settle. Less complex claims, with less serious injuries, will usually take less time to settle.

We can request interim payments from the Defendant throughout the progress of the case as long as they have admitted liability for your accident and injuries. These are paid in advance of your settlement figure or the final amount which will be agreed. They are usually smaller payments and can be paid to cover the costs of your needs, such as rehabilitation costs.

When a final amount is agreed between the parties, the interim payment which you have received throughout your case will be deducted from the final amount you receive.

We will keep you updated throughout the progress of your case, providing specialist legal advice at each stage.

How can Beacon Law Assist with your Gym Accident Compensation Claim?

 Beacon Law is a leading Manchester law firm with a great reputation for providing exceptional service to all clients. Our specialist solicitors and legal professionals have vast experience in handling all types of personal injury claims. We have experience in dealing with gym accident compensation claims and all other types claims, including road traffic accidents and occupiers liability claims. We also provide assistance to claimants who have been involved in an accident at work.

We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

If you require our assistance or wish to discuss your case, please complete the online contact form on our website, and a specialist Solicitor will contact you. Alternatively, you may call us on 0330 1332 857 to discuss your potential case.