Another I got hurt at the gym do they owe me anything question--spinning edition

[Anonymous]

I followed the other thread about the woman with the broken wrist. This happened to me two days ago at a gym where I've been a member for a very long time (hi to anybody who recognizes me from class because this happened in front of a room full of people):

Background: there have been some complaints about broken spin bikes and a couple sit in the corner out of commission. The mechanic needs to come and do routine service on the bikes and change batteries on the digital monitors. This is a middle of the road big box gym not a super fancy place.

So I'm in the middle of spin class in a standing climb. I am wearing bike shoes and am clipped in to the pedals. I am in my zone because I desperately needed to de-stress that day and suddenly I have the sensation of falling but can't understand why. I have the impression that people are looking at me but my eyes don't really seem to work because I feel like I'm drowning and my brain can't process what's happening. I am grabbing at the handlebars as I fall down but cannot right myself because it's like my right leg won't work. It was just such a surreal experience. I finally get myself upright (I was actually very lucky not to go completely over the center bar with my leg still clipped in) and I pick up my right leg and the entire pedal has come off the bike and is still attached to my shoe. The reason I could not get footing on my right leg is because the underside of the pedal has a toe cage for sneaker wearers and you can't stand on that--it's slippery and bouncy. When the lights go back on after class we inspect the bike and see that the bolt holding the pedal to the cycle mechanism has broken in half likely due to metal fatigue.

It seems a bit dramatic but I was completely rattled by this incident and I could not stop replaying it in my head all day long and I still cannot stop thinking about it. It took me a while to to figure out why I had the feeling of drowning and being pulled down and not being able to get up (the toe cage). The after-effects of the adrenaline rush stayed with me for hours after the class. I got a small scrape on my right calf and when my right leg went down the left side of my body smacked the center of the bike and my left thigh has a six inch bruise that is as purple as an eggplant and about as big--truly the ugliest bruise I have ever had--although it was actually not that painful when it happened I now cannot walk without some discomfort/a reminder that it's there.

An incident report was taken and the consensus in the room and by the instructor is that the bike was long overdue for maintenance and I have suffered as a result. Do you think the gym owes me anything? I'm not sure if I should do anything or not. I was told somebody would be in touch from the gym but that hasn't happened yet.

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

No they do not owe you anything from a compensation company.

[Anonymous]

What does the liability waiver you signed when you joined the gym say?

[Anonymous]

Ok, drama queen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does the liability waiver you signed when you joined the gym say?

Not sure--I joined so long ago.

[Anonymous]

Do you have any medical bills? If not, what would they owe you?

[Anonymous]

Also, your post is very dramatic. Judge Judy would be rolling her eyes.

[Anonymous]

get over it

[Anonymous]

I think this was a bit different from the other scenario, in that you were injured due to faulty equipment. It doesn’t sound like you were badly hurt, so maybe a free class would be nice, but that’s probably about all you can ask for.

[Anonymous]

No medical bills but that bruise really hurts and it will be weeks before it goes away. Metal fatigue is a real thing which is why parts like bolts and screws are changed out on airplanes. The situation could have turned out much worse if I had been in poorer shape. Honestly I want someone to say they are sorry in an official way and to tune up the bikes and maybe comp my membership for a few months. This should not have happened and it was upsetting. And I do feel it's their responsibility to keep equipment in safe working order.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No medical bills but that bruise really hurts and it will be weeks before it goes away. Metal fatigue is a real thing which is why parts like bolts and screws are changed out on airplanes. The situation could have turned out much worse if I had been in poorer shape. Honestly I want someone to say they are sorry in an official way and to tune up the bikes and maybe comp my membership for a few months. This should not have happened and it was upsetting. And I do feel it's their responsibility to keep equipment in safe working order.

Follow up with a manager. You’re not likely to get much but maybe they can comp your membership fee for a month or two and you will feel that your hurt is acknowledged

[Anonymous]

I think you are perfectly within your rights to talk with a manager and ask what will be done going forward to prevent these types of accidents.

[Anonymous]

#FirstWorldProblems

[Anonymous]

I would ask them to confirm that they will be checking all of the equipment ASAP. Beyond that, I don’t think you are entitled to much. It is just a bruise. No real damages.