With over 62 thousand injuries associated with a workout machine each year and more than 3 treadmill related deaths annually, it’s surprising that we don’t hear more about the dangers of workout machines. It may be that people assume some injuries will occur when people are pushing themselves at the gym, but the reality is that there can also be dangerous and negligent actions leading to these injuries. Equipment manufacturer error or poor maintenance of a facility can contribute to dangerous workout environments, leading to devastating losses. If you were Injured on a Workout Machine call Thompson Law today!

Steps to Take After a Workout Machine Injury

Much like other types of accidents, like car accidents or truck wrecks, workplace or scooter crashes, there are important steps to take after an accident. Getting safe, documenting the events of the accident, and reaching out to expert professionals for help are the important broad strokes, but here is the step by step action list after a serious workout machine injury:

1. Stop using the machine as quickly and safely as possible!
2. Seek medical attention. If you suspect you are injured, get checked out as soon as possible.
3. If the machine malfunctioned or broke down, take images and video that capture the dangerous function or feature.
4. Connect with witnesses who saw or heard the incident. Take down their contact information as you note the date, time and location of the incident.
5. Do not make a statement to anyone affiliated with the gym. Their representatives and insurance adjusters will not have your best interests in mind.
6. Call an experienced defective product injury attorney like Thompson Law for advice on the next steps.

Common Workout Machine Injuries

It’s no surprise that many injuries on a workout machine occur in the gym or during workouts. People are in those spaces to push their bodies to get stronger, so it makes sense that we commonly see overexertion injuries. However, bigger problems may arise when the cause of the injury is due to the error or negligence of the machine manufacturer, the poor upkeep of the gym owner, or the unsafe practices of fellow gym users. In these cases, individuals are at risk for severe injuries that have nothing to do with pushing too hard on the cardio or pumping too much iron! Some of the injuries we see due to product defect include:

• Head and neck injuries
• Spine and back injuries
• Cuts, scrapes, bruises, contusions
• Sprains, strains, hyperextension
• Fractured and broken bones
• Tendon, joint, dislocations injuries
• Severe injuries may include traumatic brain injury or paralysis

Common Product Defects in Gym Environments

Treadmills may be the most common culprits of workout machine accidents, accounting for over a third of ER visits caused by gym equipment, most commonly resulting in injuries to the head, lower torso, arms, and legs. They are not the only machines that pose risks however, as rowing machines, pull-down machines, and the multi-purpose general exercise machines also cause significant damage to users. Take care and be safe the next time you hit the gym. Always use machines as instructed, and before you jump on that gym appliance for your next set of reps, give it a quick check to make sure parts appear in working order and stable.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Texas is two years, so if you have been injured in a workout machine malfunction or other negligent gym accident, consult with an experienced accident attorney. The sooner you know your options, the sooner you are on the path to recovery and your deserved compensation.

The team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Thompson Law are just a phone call away: call (214) or (817) 444-4444 today if you or a loved one has been injured while using exercise equipment. Call the 4’s lawyer today!

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