Ask a Lawyer - Archive

I was injured running on a treadmill at a fitness center in a hotel. The treadmill's emergency stop button was broken and there was just a magnet in place to allow the treadmill to operate. The treadmill stopped suddenly and now I feel pain in my hips. I am required to remain physically fit for my job and I fear I will not be able to exercise without pain. What should I do? This also happened in Missouri. If I contact a lawyer, in which state do I pursue this matter?

I am sorry to hear about your injury. I am a lawyer in Texas, so the law may be different in your state. However, it sounds like you may have a "premise liability" case or a negligence case. For a premise liability case, you will have to prove that there was an unreasonably dangerous condition on the premises, the owner knew or should have known of the condition, and the owner failed to correct and/or warn of the condition. It sounds like, the owner "fixed" the treadmill, so he/she would have known of the condition, but he/she failed to properly fix, warn or correct the problem.

You should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Until the lawsuit is filed, an attorney in your home state can assist you in this matter. If litigation is filed, you will likely have to find an attorney in Missouri to assist you. I wish you the best and hope for your speedy recovery. Good luck!.