The Smith Machine, a popular weight-training device, has been linked to design flaws that increase a user’s risk of severe injury. In 2008, a man was awarded $18 million after he was paralyzed from using a Smith Machine.
Need a Texas Smith Machine Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was injured by a Smith Machine, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit in Texas.
UPDATE: Cybex Recalls Smith Press Machine
August 29, 2018 — Cybex International Inc. recalled about 15,000 Cybex Smith Press plate-loaded weight-lifting machines because the weight bar can fall, posing serious injury hazards to the user. Cybex has received 27 reports of injuries, including serious injuries of paralysis and spinal fractures.
What is the Smith Machine?
The Smith Machine is a piece of exercise equipment used in weight-lifting. It is designed for squats and bench presses with a built-in bar that glides vertically on a fixed column. It is intended to improve safety because users do not have to work as hard to balance or stabilize their body.
Manufacturers of the Smith Machine:
- Flex Equipment Co.
- Valor Athletics Inc.
- PowerLine
- Marcy
- Body Solid
- Yukon Fitness
- Atlas
- Weider
- And others
Safety Issues
Many people who use the Smith Machine like it because they can squat or press more weight than they with free-weights. Unfortunately, this can lead to a false sense of security and injuries from excessive weights.
Another problem is that some Smith Machines do not have adequate safety stops. The stops are designed to catch a falling barbell and prevent it from crushing a user. Experts recommend setting the stop no lower than 28 inches. However, some Smith Machines have a “dead stop” set at 21 inches. Other machines do not provide “adjustable stops,” which a user can set higher than the dead stop.
Smith Machine Lawsuit Ends in $18.6 Million Award
When the safety stops are too low, catastrophic injuries may occur. One such injury occurred in 2001, when Harold Leon Bostick was using the Smith Machine at a Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, CA. After putting several hundred pounds of weight on the barbell, he collapsed and the barbell crushed his spine.
Bostick, now a quadriplegic, filed a lawsuit against Gold’s Gym and the manufacturer of the Smith Machine, Flex Equipment Co. He alleges that the machine was defective because the “dead stop” was set at 21 inches and Gold’s Gym did not provide an adjustable stop. In 2008, Bostick was awarded over $18 million for his injuries.
What is the problem?
The Clark Firm, LLP is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. However, our attorneys are not filing a Smith Machine class action. At this time, we are only filing individual lawsuits on behalf of people who were severely injured, paralyzed, disabled, or died.
About Class Actions
Class actions are a popular way to resolve legal disputes on behalf of a large group of people — for example, employees who were discriminated against based on age, or consumers who purchased a defective product. It wouldn’t make financial sense for each person to file a lawsuit alone. Instead, members choose a “class representative” and collectively argue for compensation.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Smith Machine Class Action
Class action lawsuits can have disadvantages for people with severe injuries. Members may have to accept higher attorneys’ fees or a “low-ball” settlement. Their case may never be chosen to go to trial before a judge and jury.
Instead of a class action, our trial attorneys file individual lawsuits. We understand that many of our clients are suffering physically, emotionally, and economically due to their injuries, high medical bills, lost income, and more. Our attorneys believe individual lawsuits are the best way we can help each of our clients maximize their financial recovery.
Need a Smith Machine Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Smith Machine lawyers for a free lawsuit review.
To contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: