What Happens When a Recreational Activity Causes Personal Injuries?

Making the decision to join an outdoor cycling group, or a local softball league, or to enroll in a fitness class at your local gym can help you get in shape and stay healthy. Yet common leisure activities often result in serious personal injuries. Indeed, according to a fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as more Americans engage in recreational activities, the higher the rate of injuries logged in emergency rooms in North Carolina and across the country.

If, for example, you got hurt in a slip-and-fall accident at the gym or suffered a concussion while playing recreational sports, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. An experienced Charlotte personal injury attorney at Warren & Kallianos can discuss your options with you today.

Even if you signed a waiver to participate in the activity, you may be able to pursue compensation. Contact us now to schedule a free case consultation.

Injuries and Leisure Activities Among Teens and Adults

According to the CDC fact sheet, injuries sustained during leisure activities, including exercise and amateur sports, lead to millions of emergency room visits each year. In fact, recreational injuries involving children and teens alone lead to more than 3 million trips to emergency departments annually.

According to a fact sheet from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people aged 15 to 19 spend a little under an hour per day (0.6 hours), on average, engaged in recreational sports and exercise. Among older age groups, the average amount of time spent per day on these leisure activities decreases. For those aged 20-24, the average time spent on recreational sports and exercise is 0.4 hours per day, while that number declines slightly to 0.3 hours per day for those aged 25-44. Between the ages of 45-64, the average time spent per day decreases to 0.2 hours. When it comes to other leisure activities not involving exercise or sports, the numbers increase slightly.

Common Recreational Activities that Lead to Personal Injuries

What are the most common recreational activities that lead to personal injuries? A 2016 participation report from the Physical Activity Council cites the following as among the top recreational activities in the U.S. today:

• Fitness activities at the gym, including weightlifting, spinning, swimming, and other forms of fitness training requiring exercise machines
• Outdoor sports and activities, such as cycling, backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking
• Individual sports, including walking, running, and jogging
• Racquet sports, such as badminton, racquetball, and tennis
• Team sports played recreationally, such as softball, baseball, kickball, basketball, and hockey
• Winter sports, including cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding

When recreation locations are not properly maintained, patrons can suffer preventable personal injuries. For example, if a spill is not cleaned up in a timely manner at a gym, a patron could slip and fall. If a sports facility is not well-lit, a patron may get hurt in a trip-and-fall incident. Inadequate security at a recreation center could lead to an assault.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Charlotte

When accidents happen, injured victims may be able to seek compensation by filing lawsuits. An experienced Charlotte premises liability lawyer can speak with you today about the claims process. Even if you signed a waiver – for instance, when you joined the gym or before you spent time at an amusement park – you should still consult with a lawyer. Contact Warren & Kallianos today.