The Smith Machine was recalled after being linked to serious safety hazards, including paralysis. A man who became a quadriplegic after using a Smith Machine was recently awarded over $18 million for his injuries.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Smith Machine induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured while exercising with a Smith Machine, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
UPDATE: Cybex Fined $7.95 Million for Failing to Report Serious Injuries
February 11, 2021 – U.S. safety officials issued a $7.95 million fine after Cybex failed to immediately report serious injuries involving Smith Press Machines.
Officials claim that Cybex knew the weight bar on the now-recalled Smith Press Machines could fall and cause severe impact injuries.
Specifically, Cybex failed to immediately report 27 injuries involving Smith Press Machines, including paralysis and spinal fractures.
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. Click here to read more.
What is the Smith Machine?
The Smith Machine is a popular piece of weight-training equipment used in countless gyms for squats and bench presses. Unlike traditional free-weights, the Smith Machine is designed with a built-in bar that only moves up or down in a fixed column.
Smith Machine Manufacturers
- Flex Equipment Co.
- Valor Athletics Inc.
- PowerLine
- Marcy
- Body Solid
- Yukon Fitness
- Atlas
- Weider
- And others
Safety Issues
The bar on the Smith Machine moves on guides, which means you can only move up or down. This is an unnatural movement that can put extra stress on your knees and back. It also reduces the amount of effort necessary to balance and stabilize your body, which can lead to a false sense of security and injuries from excessive weight.
When a user falls under excessive weight, it is essential that the safety stops catch the bar. Unfortunately, some machines have stops that are set too low. Experts warn that the “dead stop” should be set no lower than 28 inches, but some models are designed with stops as low as 21 inches. Furthermore, some gym facilities do not provide adjustable stops.
Smith Machine Lawsuit Ends in $18.6 Million Award
In 2008, a man who became a quadriplegic after using a Smith Machine was awarded over $18 million for his injuries, according to the LA Times. The incident occurred in 2001 at a Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, California. Harold Leon Bostick was using a Smith Machine with several hundred pounds on the bar. When he fell, the bar crushed his spine. The “dead stop” was set at 21 inches and the gym did not provide adjustable stops.
What is the problem?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. However, our attorneys are not filing a Smith Machine class action. Instead, we are focusing our efforts on individual lawsuits for people with the most serious injuries and/or disabilities.
About Class Actions
The class action lawsuit is one of the most effective ways for a large group of people to seek compensation for the same injury. In product liability litigation, class actions are typically used to reimburse everyone who purchased that product.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuit as Opposed to a Smith Machine Class Action
For people with very serious injuries, class actions can have disadvantages. Members may have to accept higher attorneys’ fees or a “low-ball” settlement. Because everyone is lumped together, most people never get to see their individual case presented before a judge and jury in a trial.
Instead of a class action, our trial attorneys file individual lawsuits. We believe each person who was severely injured by a Smith Machine deserve their own attorney who is committed to their case. We specialize in helping victims of defective products seek compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, permanent disability, and more.
Do I have a Smith Machine Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Smith Machine induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured while exercising with a Smith Machine, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
