Don’t Assume the Waiver Protects Them!
You signed a waiver when you joined your gym. Now you’re injured, and the facility claims they’re not responsible. Don’t accept that answer. Liability waivers have limits, and they don’t give gyms and fitness centers a free pass to operate negligently.
If you’ve been hurt due to unsafe equipment, poor maintenance, or inadequate supervision, you may have a valid personal injury claim—regardless of what you signed.
A Poorly-Run Gym is a Dangerous Place
Gym injuries can be severe and life-changing. A single moment of negligence can result in torn muscles, herniated discs, traumatic brain injuries, or crushed limbs that require surgery, months of rehabilitation, and permanent lifestyle changes. The financial and physical toll is devastating, affecting your ability to work, care for your family, and enjoy the activities you once loved.
Negligent gyms create these dangerous conditions through:
- Defective or unmaintained equipment that breaks during use
- Slippery floors from inadequate cleaning protocols
- Overcrowded facilities without proper supervision or spacing
- Unqualified trainers providing dangerous instruction or spotting
- Failure to repair known hazards despite member complaints
What Does a Gym Waiver Cover?
The gym waiver you signed covers inherent risks of exercise, like muscle soreness or minor strains from working out. It does not cover injuries caused by the gym’s failure to maintain safe premises. When equipment malfunctions because of poor maintenance, when staff fail to properly train members on dangerous machines, or when hazards are left unaddressed, the gym cannot hide behind a waiver.
Waivers Don’t Cover Gross Negligence
Ohio law recognizes that liability waivers cannot protect gyms from gross negligence or willful misconduct. If the facility knew about a dangerous condition and ignored it, the waiver doesn’t apply. A broken cable on a weight machine, a wet floor without warning signs, or faulty equipment that hasn’t been inspected in months—these represent the kind of reckless behavior that voids liability protection.
Fight for Your Rights
Insurance companies and gym owners will immediately point to the waiver you signed, hoping you’ll walk away. They’re counting on you not knowing your legal rights. Don’t let them intimidate you into accepting responsibility for their negligence!
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your gym injury claim. When a facility’s negligence causes you harm, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (877) 944-4373 so I can evaluate your case right away.