Sporting goods and exercise equipment must be properly designed, tested, assembled, and come with adequate safety warnings. Failure to do so can open the manufacturer or owner up to liability when someone is injured.
When it comes to injuries caused by defective sporting goods and exercise equipment, issues of liability can be a bit complex. You’ll generally be seeking compensation through either a product liability claim against the manufacturer, or a negligence claim against the person or entity deemed ultimately responsible.
These types of claims tend to be heavily contested, so it’s important that you gather evidence, document your injuries by seeking medical attention, and discuss your legal options with a personal injury attorney.
Injuries Caused by Defective Gym Equipment
Exercise equipment and weight training machines need to be regularly inspected and maintained by gym staff and/or a third party. Any manufacturer limits/restrictions need to be clearly visible, and all manufacturer-equipped safety guards must be kept in place.
If a gym or fitness center fails in their duty to keep their equipment reasonably safe from unforseen harm, they could be held liable should a patron become injured.
On the other hand, sometimes the equipment company is ultimately to blame for manufacturing an unsafe or defective machine.
Some of the more-common gym equipment accidents include:
- Collapse or tipping of an exercise bike
- Collapse of a stair-stepper
- Failure of a pulley
- Collapse of the seat
- Failure of a resistance tube
- Failure of weight locks
Injuries Caused by Defective Sports Equipment
Many sports are played with the use of safety equipment such as helmets, pads, and masks. Sports equipment that is properly constructed and manufactured is essential, especially for those participating in potentially dangerous sports (e.g., cycling, skiing, football, snowboarding, hockey, etc).
When manufacturers fail in their responsibility to keep users safe from unreasonable harm, they open themselves to a product liability claim when someone is injured as a result. Failing or defective equipment can cause serious injuries, and you as a consumer have every right to seek compensation for your resulting damages.
Commonly-defective and recalled sports equipment:
- Helmets
- Safety Pads
- Trampolines
- Bicycles
- Fishing poles
- Paintball guns
- Baseball equipment
- Skis and snowboards
- Golf clubs
- Inline skates and ice skates
Holding the Manufacturer Liable
Equipment manufacturers have a legal obligation to guarantee the safety of the equipment they market, sell, and distribute. They also have an obligation to properly warn consumers of any known hazards, and must also issue timely safety recalls when necessary.
Under product liability law, manufacturers are held strictly-liable for any injuries that result due to a safety flaw or defective product. Victims are permitted to seek compensation through a personal injury claim to cover their related losses (e.g., medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc).
It is essential to discuss your potential claim with a lawyer experienced in product liability law in order to determine the likelihood of a successful claim, and most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations for this exact reason.
