ACSM Health & Fitness Summit

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VIII. Case Law Examples

IX. Resources to Incorporate the Primary Assumption of Risk and Waiver Defenses into your Risk

Management Plan

X. Risk Management Pyramid

Take Away Points -- Participants attending this session will be able to:

1. Distinguish injuries due to inherent risks and negligence.


2. Describe the primary assumption of risk and waiver defenses and under what circumstances they are effective
   in protecting defendants.


3. Understand the application of the primary assumption and waiver defenses using case law examples.

INJURY DATA
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: About 11,000 persons per day receive treatment in U.S.
Emergency Departments for injuries sustained during sport, recreation, and exercise activities. Injuries are a
major reason individuals stop participating in physical activity. The Center has several research goals including
identifying ways to minimize injury risks among people who are beginning or increasing physical activity (1).
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – NEISS Data: Between 2007 and 2009, the number of injuries
(U.S. hospital emergency room data) increased by 41%, 19%, and 23% for exercise activities (a) without
equipment, (b) with weightlifting equipment, and (c) with other exercise equipment, respectively (2). Based on
NEISS data, number of weight lifting injuries from 1990 -2007 was estimated at 970,810 (3). This study also
analyzed the types of injuries by body region. Another NEISS study estimated hemorrhages/strokes due to
soaring blood pressures during weight lifting to be 1,287 from 2002-2010 (4). The Valsalva maneuver can be
avoided by proper breathing and not holding one’s breath.
Examples of Injuries Incurred by Plaintiffs in Negligence Lawsuits: Cardiac arrest, stroke, fractured bones,
serious back/neck injuries, crushed trachea, rhabdomyolysis, and deaths due to head injuries, cardiac arrest, and
stroke

CAUSES OF INJURIES FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE (5)
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OOrrddiinnaarryy^ NNeegglliiggeennccee^ - --- tthhee ffaauulltt ooff tthhee^ ppaarrttiicciippaanntt^ ((ee..gg..,, mmiissuussee^ ooff^ eexxeerrcciissee eeqquuiippmmeenntt))^ aanndd//oorr tthhee^ ffaauulltt ooff tthhee^
ffaacciilliittyy ppeerrssoonnnneell ((ee..gg..,, ffaaiilluurree ttoo mmeeeett tthhee ssttaannddaarrdd ooff ccaarree dduuee ttoo ““ccaarreelleessss”” ccoonndduucctt – – oommiissssiioonn oorr ccoommmmiissssiioonn))
GGrroossss NNeegglliiggeennccee - --- aallssoo rreeffeerrrreedd ttoo aass wwiillllffuull//wwaannttoonn ccoonndduucctt,, rreecckklleessss ccoonndduucctt
PPrroodduucctt^ DDeeffeeccttss//PPrroodduucctt^ LLiiaabbiilliittyy^ - ---^ tthhee ffaauulltt ooff tthhee mmaannuuffaaccttuurreerr^ dduuee ttoo^ ssoommee^ ttyyppee ooff^ ddeeffeecctt^ iinn tthhee^ pprroodduucctt,,^
ee..gg..,,^ eexxeerrcciissee eeqquuiippmmeenntt

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF NEGLIGENCE (5)
Definition: Negligence is “failing to do something” that a reasonable, prudent professional would have done or
“doing something” that a reasonable, prudent professional would not have done, given the same or similar
circumstance. Negligent conduct is “careless” conduct – either by omission (failure to perform) or commission
(improper performance).
Four elements that the plaintiff must prove to win his/her negligence lawsuit

1. Duty – the duty or standard of care the defendant (health/fitness professional and/or facility) owes to
   the plaintiff (injured party)


2. Breach of duty – the defendant’s conduct did not meet the standard of care


3. Causation – the breach of duty was the “cause” of the plaintiff’s injury


4. Harm/damages – the harm that occurred to the plaintiff resulting in damages (losses) to the plaintiff

AREAS OF POTENTIAL LEGAL LIABILITY THAT EXPOSE FITNESS PERSONNEL/FACILITIES
TO NEGLIGENCE
Each of the following represents an area in which numerous legal liability exposures exist in health/fitness
programs and facilities (1) Employment issues, (2) Pre-activity health screening, (3) Health/fitness assessment
and prescription. (4) Instruction and supervision, (5) Exercise equipment, (6) Facility issues, and (7) Medical
emergency action plans (EAPs). Many potential legal duties exist in each of the 7 areas.