Treadmill Injury Claims

Treadmills are among the most popular pieces of fitness equipment, both at home and in gyms and fitness centres. They are an excellent way of doing cardio, building resistance or getting warmed up for strength training.

While typically safe, manufacturing defects, misuse or poor maintenance of treadmills can lead to accidents and various injuries to users. These include sprains, strains, and head and back injuries, which can have severe long-term consequences for the injured party.

Whether you had a treadmill accident at home or the gym, this might have been due to someone else’s negligence. If liability can be established, you may be eligible to claim compensation for any damages you incurred as a result, such as pain, suffering and financial losses.

To find out if you can start a treadmill injury claim, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0474 today and request a free consultation with a legal adviser. You can also use our online contact form to request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• Treadmill accidents at the gym
• Treadmill accidents at home
• Am I eligible to make a treadmill accident claim?
• What is the personal injury claims process?
• What evidence do I need to support a treadmill injury claim?
• What types of negligence could cause a treadmill accident?
• What injuries could treadmill accidents cause?
• What is the time limit to claim treadmill injury compensation?
• How much compensation can I claim if I'm injured due to a faulty treadmill?
• Will a solicitor offer me a No Win No Fee service?

Treadmill accidents at the gym

Many people go to the gym to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Among various exercises, lots of people also use treadmills to warm up or do cardio training.

Gym owners and operators have a duty of care towards all visitors to protect their health and safety and take all reasonable measures to prevent accidents and injuries. This duty stems from the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and includes several responsibilities, including:

• Carry out regular inspections and maintenance on treadmills to ensure they are in safe working condition;
• Ensure the area around the treadmills is free from obstructions or hazards that could cause injuries;
• Provide adequate training to the gym staff regarding the safe use of treadmills and ensure they inform customers on safe usage;
• Make sure treadmills have adequate safety features, such as safety clips or emergency stop buttons;
• Have staff available to monitor treadmill use for beginners;
• Use visible and clear signs to inform users of potential risks and provide safety instructions;
• Maintain a safe and clean environment around the treadmill and ensure it is free from sweat, water, and slipping hazards.

If you suffered a gym injury due to faulty equipment or another type of negligence, you may be eligible to make a gym accident claim.

Treadmill accidents at home

Some people prefer to avoid crowded gyms and fitness centres and keep fit in the comfort of their homes. If you are one of them and had a treadmill accident at home, you may still be entitled to compensation.

Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, treadmill manufacturers have a duty of care towards you to ensure their products will not cause you an injury. Their duties include:

• Ensure treadmills are free from defects that could cause harm during regular use;
• Undergo regular safety testing to ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations;
• Provide clear instructions for the safe assembly, use, and maintenance of the treadmill;
• Provide adequate warnings and instructions about any potential risks or hazards associated with the use of the treadmill.

Under the Consumer Protection Act, manufacturers are strictly liable for any injury caused by a defective product. This means you can start a treadmill accident claim without having to prove negligence. You must only prove that the product was faulty and caused you harm.

Am I eligible to make a treadmill accident claim?

The easiest way to find out if you can make a gym injury claim or any other claim related to a treadmill accident is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will ask you a few questions to determine the following:

• Another party, such as a gym owner or manufacturer, owed you a legal duty of care;
• They caused a treadmill accident by breaching their duty of care towards you;
• You suffered an injury and other losses as a result.

Your solicitor will be able to establish a duty of care by referring to relevant personal injury laws and legislation such as the ones mentioned above. Keep in mind that it is essential to start your claim within the allotted time limit, which is typically three years from the date of your accident.

What is the personal injury claims process?

The first thing you should do if you want to claim compensation for an accident is to get in touch with an experienced personal injury solicitor for free expert advice. If they consider your case has merit, they will offer you a no win no fee service and help you claim compensation. Although the process can vary, the typical steps of a compensation claim include:

• Gathering evidence to prove what happened and identify the responsible party;
• Assessing the full extent of your injuries and their long-term effects, which may involve an examination with a medical specialist;
• Sending a claim notification form to the defendant to inform them of your intentions to sue for damages;
• Receiving the defendant’s response, who will have up to four months to investigate the case and admit or deny liability;
• Negotiating your compensation award, which may involve making several offers and counter-offers;
• If all negotiations fail, your solicitor will take your case to court and argue your claim before a judge;
• If you win the claim, you should receive your treadmill injury compensation within four weeks.

What evidence do I need to support a treadmill injury claim?

If you suffered an injury and want to seek compensation, you will need various pieces of evidence to support your claim. You must be able to prove how the accident occurred, who was at fault and how your injuries have affected your life. Taking the following steps will help you gather the necessary evidence to begin a claim:

• Take photographs or a video of what caused the accident on a treadmill before anything is moved or repaired. If available, you should also ask for a copy of any CCTV footage of your accident as soon as possible.
• Take pictures of your injuries and your recovery process.
• Ask for the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened. Their testimony will help support your version of the events if the defendant denies liability.
• Report the accident to the gym operator as soon as possible and ask for a copy of the accident report. That will make it easier to start a gym injury compensation claim.
• Seek medical care for your injuries straight away. Your medical records will prove the type and severity of your injuries, the treatments you receive and your prognosis.
• Keep a diary of how your injuries are progressing and how they have affected your ability to work and engage in daily activities.
• You should also keep all financial records, such as receipts and invoices, related to the losses and expenses you incurred due to the accident.

The evidence you gather can significantly impact the success of your claim. Your solicitor will help you collate everything you need to ensure you make a successful claim for compensation.

What types of negligence could cause a treadmill accident?

Many treadmill accidents can happen without anyone being at fault. However, some incidents can be avoided by following the relevant safety guidelines and showing reasonable care. If someone breaches their duty of care towards you, you may be eligible to make a treadmill injury claim.

Examples of negligence that may lead to a personal injury claim include:

• The gym staff failed to properly instruct you on how to operate the treadmill safely;
• Poor maintenance of gym equipment leading to mechanical failures such as sudden stops;
• Failure to adequately assemble or set up the treadmill, causing structural weakness or instability;
• A lack of safety features such as stop buttons, safety clips or handrails;
• Lack of supervision in gyms and fitness facilities, especially if children or older people use the treadmill;
• Failure to provide proper training and advice on how to use the treadmill to prevent strain injuries;
• Poor design of the gym layout, placing the treadmill in poorly lit or overcrowded areas without sufficient space for safe use;
• Manufacturing defects can lead to mechanical failures and various accidents

If you were injured at home or a gym due to any negligence, a solicitor could help you claim compensation from the responsible party.

What injuries could treadmill accidents cause?

Treadmill accidents in the gym or at home can cause various types of injuries, some of which can be severe and have a long-term impact on your health and well-being. Some of the most common types of injuries seen in treadmill accident claims include:

• Sprains and strains often result from sudden slips or missteps on the treadmill, leading to overstretching or tearing of ligaments and muscles.
• Back injuries following an accident could range from minor strains to damage to the spinal cord. These can be due to falls, especially at high speeds, sudden stops or improper use.
• Head injuries can range from minor bumps and concussions to severe brain trauma and can happen if you fall and hit your head on the ground, treadmill or another object, especially at high speeds.
• Cuts and abrasions are less severe soft tissue injuries that can be due to contact with the moving belt or nearby objects during a fall.
• Broken bones and dislocations can be caused by severe falls or collisions. Such injuries can occur as you try to break your fall, particularly in the arms, wrists or legs.
• Nerve damage can result from traumatic impact or excessive strain, which can damage the nerves in the spine, neck or limbs.
• Repetitive strain injuries, such as bursitis and tendonitis, can develop from overuse, lack of proper footwear or improper posture and can cause chronic pain and inflammation.

If another party’s negligence caused your injury, you may be able to claim compensation for the pain, suffering and financial losses you endured.

What is the time limit to claim treadmill injury compensation?

The Limitation Act 1980 imposes a three-year time limit to make a faulty treadmill injury claim, starting from the date of your accident. Regardless of this, we would advise you to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Starting your claim at the earliest opportunity will make it easier to gather evidence and secure the maximum accident compensation you are entitled to.

There are a few exceptions that apply to the standard three-year limitation date:

• If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, the three years will only start to run on your 18th birthday. Before this, a parent or another adult could make a claim on your behalf at any time.
• The time limit is put on hold if the claimant cannot start legal proceedings due to a brain injury or another condition that affects their mental capacity. A litigation friend can make a claim on their behalf at any time.

How much compensation can I claim if I’m injured due to a faulty treadmill?

The amount of compensation you might receive for a treadmill injury claim will be calculated based on your specific losses. Two types of damages will be included in your compensation payout:

General damages cover the subjective impact that the treadmill injury has had on your life, which may include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional and psychological trauma
• Inability to enjoy hobbies or activities you used to like before the accident
• Loss of companionship
• Reduced quality of life
• Physical or mental disability

Special damages cover financial losses and expenses incurred due to your injuries, such as:

• Private medical treatments
• Loss of earnings from being unable to work during recovery
• Loss of earning capacity due to a permanent injury
• Travel expenses from going to medical appointments
• The cost of care and assistance needed due to the injury
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation

As mentioned before, it is essential to keep all documents related to your financial expenses. Your solicitor will use them to calculate the special damages you are entitled to.

General damages will be based on the type of injury you suffered and calculated based on the Judicial College guidelines. You can find various examples of general damages by referring to our compensation calculator.

Will a solicitor offer me a No Win No Fee service?

If you have a valid treadmill injury compensation claim, you will receive a no win no fee agreement. Your solicitor will not ask for any upfront payments to work on your case and will only get a success fee if they win your claim (capped at 25% of your settlement).

If you lose, you do not pay them anything. This significantly reduces your stress and financial risk and allows you access to legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

As part of this agreement, you also have After the Event (ATE) insurance against any costs incurred during litigation. If you lose your claim, the ATE insurance policy will cover all of your expenses, including court fees, medical reports and the defendant’s solicitors. Furthermore, you only pay the ATE premium if you win compensation.

For more information about making a faulty treadmill injury claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details here to request a call back.

Last edited on 14th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.