Sean Riley, JD, MS
Sean Riley, JD, MS
Article Archive
Legal & Risk Management
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
Are You Qualified to Work With At-Risk Clients?
Why personal fitness trainers who work with postrehab and special populations are at greater legal risk themselves. Health clubs are becoming increasingly occupied by older clients and those who have special medical needs. This is partly due to referrals from physicians who have begun to appreciate the b…
Over the past several issues, we have examined the risks involved in failing to prioritize legal responsibilities in your fitness career and discussed how to actively manage those risks in your daily operations. Now it is time to take the next step and learn about the different catego…
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Over the past several issues, we have examined the risks involved in failing to prioritize legal responsibilities in your fitness career and discussed how to actively manage those risks in your daily operations. Now it is time to take the next step and learn about the different categories of legal damages you might have to pay should you be liable for another’s injuries. Although this material can be highly technical, a general understanding of it is indispensable to anyone training clients in today’s highly litigious society.
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Legal & Risk Management
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
Liability and Damages for Fitness-Based Lawsuits
Understanding the categories of legal damages awarded to plaintiffs. Over the past several issues, we have examined the risks involved in failing to prioritize legal responsibilities in your fitness career and discussed how to actively manage those risks in your daily operations. Now it is time to take …
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Many risks in the fitness profession can be avoided with careful planning and
attention to detail. One critical detail
that often gets overlo…
Personal training is a business. All businesses, especiall…
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Legal & Risk Management
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
The Importance of Protective Legal Documentation
Don’t leave home without it! Personal training is a business. All businesses, especially those–like fitness– that carry inherent risks of injury, must protect themselves from lawsuits. At some point, most people who work out will experience some sort of exercise-related injury. Without legal protectio…
As we usher in a new year, it is important to recognize the pressing need for all fitness facilities to remain compliant with established industry standards. Failure to achieve such compliance can expose you and/or your club to costly legal liability.
With so much on their plates each day, it is understandable that many fitness managers fall into a state of complacency, failing to ta…
Legal & Risk Management
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
The Legalities of Emergency Care
Understand your risks and responsibilities. As a personal trainer, you work with a variety of populations, from seniors to athletes. This diversity perpetuates a number of legal issues, particularly with regard to emergency care. With the senior population, you must be able to identify the symptoms of, and remedies for…
Legal & Risk Management
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
Respecting Your Boundaries
Always remember, your job is to design exercise programs– not to treat, diagnose or prescribe. Study after study has demonstrated that regular physical activity is important to good health. In an attempt to promote clients’ well-being, personal fitness trainers (PFTs) may find themselves involved in activities that can blur…
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legal
The Pros and Cons of Automated External Defibrillators
SHOULD YOU HAVE A DEFIBRILLATOR IN YOUR FACILITY? WHAT ARE THE LEGAL RISKS?
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
Association and the American Red Cross (Gmelich 2000). Moreover, a licensed physician must be involved in the design of any emergency plan that includes the use of defibrillators. Equipment Maintenance. The AED must be properly maintained….
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Legal & Risk Management
By Sean Riley, MS, JD
Training Clients at Home
Smart steps you can take to manage the risks of at-home training. As an entrepreneur, your work environment may vary over the years. At some point in your career, you may choose to set up a small gym in your home to train clients. While this can be a convenient and lucrative approach, you need to be aware of legal risks associ…
As a fitness manager, you
recognize that certain acts
result in legal liability. Injuries caused by worn flooring surfaces, equipment malfunctions and inappropriate program designs exemplify what acts have legal consequences. However, the critical issue is who may
be legally responsible for injuries. If one of your personal fitness trainers designs an inappropriate program for a client and that client is injured, who is liable—you or the trainer?
As a fitness manager, you recognize that certain acts result in legal liability. Injuries caused by worn flooring surfaces, equipment malfunctions and inappropriate program designs exemplify what acts have legal consequences. However, the critical issue is who may be legally responsible for injuries. If one of your personal fitness trainers designs an inappropriate program for…
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Accidents happen, regardless of how diligent and professional you are. Protect yourself.
No matter how long you have been in business or how many certificates you hold, chances are that someday you will be faced with a lawsuit. Liability insurance is a means of protecting yourself in that event. There are two types of liability insurance: general liability and professional liability. Both types are designed to protect you from financial losses due to negligence.
General Liability
No matter how long you have been in business or how many certificates you hold, chances are that someday you will be faced with a lawsuit. Liability insurance is a means of protecting yourself in that event. There are two types of liability insurance: general liability and professional liability. Both types are designed to protect you from financial losses due to negligence.
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Sample Workshop Description
When listing potential presentations, use catchy titles and energetic descriptions that state a problem, outline a solution and cite the benefits people will gain from your presentation. Here’s a sample description to give you some ideas.
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