Heart Attack in Maryland Gym
Heart attacks and cardiac arrest often stem partly from the heart going through an unusual amount of stress, either from illness or physical exertion. The latter characteristic means that heart attacks inside fitness centers and health clubs are far from uncommon. Unfortunately, not every facility is appropriately equipped with devices like Automated External Defibrillators (AED) that can be crucial to helping people survive cardiac arrest. Furthermore, even gyms with AEDs do not always have personnel trained to use them correctly.
When you or a family member suffers a heart attack in a Maryland gym, speaking with a dedicated heart attack attorney about possible legal options may be a good idea. Depending on the circumstances, you might have grounds to file suit against an individual employee or the facility as a whole for failing to follow state guidelines and rules regarding the proper maintenance and application of an AED.
Does Maryland Require Gyms to Have AEDs?
Over the past three decades, every U.S. state has imposed a law mandating the placement and regular maintenance of AEDs in certain locations, just as the federal government has done for all federal buildings. However, while states like Florida have included gyms and fitness centers as facilities required by law to have AEDs on site, Maryland has not yet done so. Although, it has been discussed within the state legislature as recently as the 2022 legislative session.
Importantly, this does not mean that no gym in Maryland will ever have an AED, but rather that it is currently up to each facility’s management to decide whether to register with the EMS Board and obtain certification to have an AED on site. Many gyms, especially those operated by national corporations, follow through with this certification and have AEDS available in the event a member or guest goes into cardiac arrest. If a gym in Maryland does have an AED available but does not use it correctly during a heart attack, the prospect of civil recovery may be worth discussing with a qualified attorney.
Filing Suit Over a Gym Heart Attack
Facilities required by state law to have AEDs and those that are certified by the EMS Board to have AEDs nominally have access to “Good Samaritan” protections. These protections ostensibly prevent anyone from filing suit against an individual or facility for trying to use an AED in good faith but failing to do so appropriately. The idea behind this rule is to ensure qualified personnel—and in some cases, bystanders—are not discouraged from trying to help people experiencing cardiac arrest for fear of being sued over an ensuing mistake.
However, these protections only apply when the facility in question complies with all relevant state laws regarding AED maintenance, placement, use, and recordkeeping. A surprising number of gym facilities do not meet this high standard. A knowledgeable attorney could review the circumstances leading up to a heart attack inside a Maryland health club and determine whether litigation might be possible.
Speak with a Maryland Attorney About Gym Heart Attack Litigation
While not every heart attack at a gym can act as grounds for a civil lawsuit, there are situations where inappropriate use of an AED or a malfunction with the device itself could open a health club up to litigation. In this kind of scenario, guidance from experienced legal counsel can be essential to identifying liable parties and effectively pursuing fair compensation.
A heart attack in a Maryland gym that is not treated appropriately should not simply be accepted without a fight to protect your family’s best interests. Call today to schedule a consultation.
