CrossFit gyms are a fantastic place for people to get fit and strive for the healthy lifestyle they always wanted. However, if your gym does not invest in safety, it can become a dangerous site for your customers. As a CrossFit gym owner, your duty is to protect your trainers and members and ensure they remain safe on the premises. If you fail this duty, you and your gym can be held liable for the injuries and damages that result.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect your gym from these potential risks. In this post, we will walk you through some potential gym issues you may encounter and what you need to do to shield your gym from the costly claims that can result.
Negligence Claims
When a CrossFit gym invites visitors onto the premises, the establishment must be maintained in a way that is reasonably safe for them. This means gym owners and staff must routinely check for hazards and make repairs. If a gym owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition in the gym, but failed to make the necessary repairs, then an individual who is injured because of the hazardous condition can file a claim on the grounds of negligence, even if they signed a liability waiver.
Some of the more common incidents that can result in a negligence claim include:
- Unsanitary conditions
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Incompetent trainers
- Delayed emergency help
- Other unreasonably dangerous conditions
That is why it is important to stay proactive in the fight against these claims by regularly assessing your club’s policies, equipment, and procedures to ensure you are providing a safe experience for all of your members.
Slip and Fall Incidents
A slip and fall can happen anywhere, but if it happens in your CrossFit gym, it could mean bad news for you. Common causes of slip and fall accidents generally include:
- Slippery surfaces because of spills or sweat
- Electrical cords that are running across the floor
- Loose or torn carpets and other flooring issues that can trip unobservant individuals
- Malfunctioning gym equipment
While gym-goers need to be careful when working out, the managers and owners of CrossFit gyms also bear responsibility for ensuring that the risks for slip and fall accidents are eliminated. For these reasons, owners need to:
- Check the gym regularly and ensure everything is in proper working order
- Wipe down sweat and water, and provide ample cleaning supplies such as paper towels, so that gym guests can wipe down the area themselves
- Promptly repair any torn carpets and other floor problems that can lead to falls
- Provide proper warnings of dangerous conditions
Property Damage Claims and Stolen Gear Claims
There is always the potential for property damage to happen in a CrossFit gym, especially if the facility has a significant number of members or hosts many events. Consequently, when these issues arise, the gym can be found liable for the damages.
In addition, stolen gear claims are also quite common and often result when a trainer’s gear gets stolen or your members begin missing their personal property they had locked away in your facility. In these situations, the individuals whose equipment was stolen can file a claim to get that gear recovered.
Protecting your CrossFit Gym Against These Risks
Unfortunately, even with the most due diligence and care, accidents can happen in your gym. As a result, despite requiring appropriate member agreements, enforcing strict safety policies, and maintaining your gym as best you can, it is still essential to make sure you have the proper insurance in place to protect your business.
General Liability Insurance
For most CrossFit gyms, general liability insurance is essential and the most basic type of insurance you need to have. This insurance can provide coverage for property damage, privacy violations, bodily injury, libel, slander, and copyright infringement. It can also help cover administrative costs, legal costs, and third-party medical expenses, which can save the gym thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.
Professional Liability Insurance
If your CrossFit gym offers members coaching or similar services, you need to get the insurance that is specific to these services. This insurance can protect your gym in the event your employee is accused of negligence while acting as an agent of your business.
Workers Compensation Insurance
If you legally and directly employ your CrossFit trainers, make sure your workers’ compensation insurance policy covers them. Under this insurance, there is no minimum to how many employees can be covered, and it is vital to verify your policy covers both part-time and full-time employees. When you have workers’ compensation insurance, you are usually protected against job-related injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, retraining costs, legal costs, death benefits, and employer liability.
Special Event Insurance
If you are hosting any CrossFit events, there are numerous issues and risks that can arise. One of the best things you can do for your business is to have special event insurance. This policy can help you cover any special event risks that may fall outside your regular business and ensure you are protected when problems occur.
Let CrossFit RRG Help Protect Your Gym
At CrossFit Risk Retention Group, our team is here for you, ready to find you the insurance policy you need to protect you and your business and ensure that nothing puts it in jeopardy.
Because we work exclusively with the CrossFit community, we understand the risks that trainers and affiliate owners have to endure daily. However, we also know what is required to protect you and your gym against these risks. Do not wait any longer. If you would like further information regarding your insurance options, contact us today for more details and let us show you how to manage your risks.