Are Fitness Apps Responsible for Injuries Caused by Their Workout Programs?

Fitness apps often come with big promises, ensuring that you will drop weight and gain muscle with consistent use. Users often lose sight of improving their physical health, instead becoming obsessed with reducing the number on the scale and meeting performance goals. In some cases, the user may injure themselves by buying into these false promises. If a fitness app caused you to suffer injuries, you may be able to take legal recourse. Thankfully, our Pennsylvania personal injury attorneys at HGSK Injury Lawyers will evaluate your case to determine what damages you may be able to recoup.

Potential Injuries Caused by Fitness Apps

Aggressive or inappropriate training while using a fitness app can lead to the following injuries:

• Shoulder strains: Overuse or repetitive motions can cause tearing or stretching of shoulder muscles and tendons.
• Knee injuries:  High-impact exercises can place undue pressure on the knee, causing tendinitis, stress fractures, and Runner’s Knee (repeated bending with improper tracking of the kneecap). In some instances of overtraining, knee cartilage can wear down, causing inflammation, swelling, and severe pain.
• Back injuries: Poor form and excessive weight can cause back injuries. While minor injuries may result in strains, improper training can also lead to slipped discs or torn ligaments.

When Can I Seek Compensation for a Harmful Fitness App?

As a fitness app user, you may be able to see compensation in the following situations:

• ●f the app did not contain sufficient warnings, if the app contained no legal disclaimer to consult a healthcare professional prior to use, or if it failed to list potential risks of performing certain exercises.
• If the app stated that it was “expert-approved,” it means that the personal trainer on the app claimed to have more expertise or training than they actually do.
• If the app claimed to be personalized but did not alter the workout based on your health details. (i.e., age, height, weight, and gender)

Further Considerations

Even after establishing these elements, a fitness platform may deny liability. Although an app may advertise itself as “informational-only” (not constituting a professional trainer’s advice), Pennsylvania courts typically examine the following:

• If the app contained algorithmically-driven workouts;
• If the app curated content based on your health information, and
• If the app guaranteed certain results.

These features suggest that the fitness platform owed a certain level of care to users. If you experienced harm and these features were characteristics of your fitness app, speak with our experienced personal injury team.

Potential Compensation

If you have been injured while using a fitness app, you may be able to recover the following:

• Doctor’s visits
• Medical imaging and laboratory tests
• Surgeries and treatments
• Prescription costs
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement

At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our team of personal injury lawyers will assess your injuries and assist in calculating damages. While you may be aware of physical harm, many people do not realize the emotional and mental injuries that a fitness app can cause.

Injured? Contact Our Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured while using a fitness app, our Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers would like to speak with you. Having recovered over $500 million for our clients, we believe that aggressive representation is a must to recover maximum compensation. To schedule your free consultation, contact HGSK Injury Lawyers online or by calling (267) 551-8782 today.