A man from Limerick who suffered a head injury while exercising in a gym has agreed to a High Court settlement of €925,000, reports Breaking News.
Alan Hogan, a chemical analyst, had been performing deadlifts with weights at the gym in St Michael’s Rowing Club, Limerick city, when he became lightheaded, the court was told by Mr Justice Paul Coffey.
While walking away from the weightlifting area and stepping down, he got a cramp in his leg, lost his balance, and fell onto the concrete floor, the court heard, reports Breaking News.
He was knocked unconscious and sustained a brain bleed. Mr Hogan had to stay in hospital for 12 days, his counsel Moira Flahive SC told the court. She explained that Mr Hogan, who was 24 years old when the incident occurred in 2014, held a degree in chemical and forensic science, but over the last eight years has only managed part-time work and continues to suffer from fatigue.
Alan Hogan (35), from North Circular Road, Limerick city, had taken legal action through his mother, Una Hogan, against the committee of St Michael’s Sporting Club, also known as St Michael’s Rowing Club, with its clubhouse located at O’Callaghan Strand, Limerick city, over the accident on January 31st, 2014, reports Breaking News.
Ms Flahive told the court that the floor mats normally used had been removed due to expected flooding from the River Shannon.
The case was settled without any admission of fault, reports Breaking News.
She said their argument was that the step near the weightlifting area posed a hazard and Mr Hogan fell on a concrete floor that was not protected. She mentioned that the case faced several challenges, including an argument that it was statute barred.
The rowing club argued that although Mr Hogan had previously been a gym member, his membership had allegedly expired by the time of the accident and that he had been let in by an acquaintance, reports Breaking News.
The legal case claimed that the gym, and particularly the weights section, had not been designed with proper care and that the premises were not maintained with reasonable safety standards.
It was also claimed that the flooring was unsafe because it was not padded or soft, and that there was no adequate warning given about the risk the floor posed, reports Breaking News.
All allegations were denied by the club.
Following his fall, Mr Hogan was taken to hospital where a CT scan revealed a brain bleed. He was drifting in and out of consciousness and suffering from intense headaches, reports Breaking News.
He remained in hospital until February 12th. Though he recovered physically, he continued to experience fatigue and other difficulties.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey approved the settlement, stating there were serious issues concerning liability in the case. He described the settlement as fair and reasonable under the circumstances, and wished Mr Hogan well for the future, reports Breaking News.
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