In 2011, Etelvina Jimenez, then 60 years old, fainted while on a 24 Hour Fitness treadmill and fell backwards. She struck her head and fractured her skull. Based on her injuries, she underwent several surgeries to relieve pressure and remove blood clots. Ms. Jimenez, who remains with a permanent brain injury, has filed suit against 24 Hour Fitness for failure to provide an adequate safety zone behind the treadmill.
In her suit, Ms. Jimenez alleges that the treadmill manufacturer states in its owner’s manual that the “minimum space requirement needed for user safety and proper maintenance” is 3 feet wide by 6 feet deep, directly behind the running belt. However, ASTM International, the international agency that publishes voluntary technical standards for different types of exercise equipment, recommends a deeper clearance of 6.5 feet. Allegedly, Ms. Jimenez’s treadmill was sitting 3 feet and 10 inches from the metal box of a leg exercise machine. Consumer Reports wrote how to avoid treadmill accidents. It advised consumers to know how to stop the treadmill, wear the machine’s safety clip, and to “clear the area” behind a treadmill.
When someone is injured or dies as a result of an accident, financial recovery may be available. Such recovery is particularly important when permanent, life changing injuries are incurred. It is important to contact someone who understands the intricacies of the injured party’s right to recover.
Abraham Watkins offers a free consultation to anyone wishing to pursue a claim for injuries that occurred as a result of an accident.