Illinois Attorneys Prevail for Fitness Club Client

Chicago Partner Michael Hahn and Attorney Edirin Ibru recently obtained partial summary judgment on behalf of our fitness club client in a case involving a club member sustaining an injury at one of the fitness club’s facilities, pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Plaintiff, a member of our client’s fitness club, filed suit against our client after sustaining an injury he incurred while using an exercise bicycle located at one of our client’s facilities. Plaintiff alleged that the seat of the bicycle they were using collapsed, causing Plaintiff to fall backwards off the seat and onto the floor, resulting in injuries, including a severe injury to his wrist.  In his lawsuit, Plaintiff asserted claims including claims for negligence, product liability negligence and strict product liability.

Our defense attorneys filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, arguing that Plaintiff’s negligence claims were barred by a signed member agreement, which includes an exculpatory provision under which members assume the risk of injury and waive claims arising from negligence. By signing the agreement, Plaintiff agreed to waive any negligence claims arising from activities explicitly covered in the agreement, including the use of club exercise equipment. Our defense attorneys also sought summary judgment as to Plaintiff’s product liability claims because the fitness club was not a “distributor” under Illinois law, and therefore not subject to claims for strict product liability or product liability negligence.

In April 2026, the District Court granted partial summary judgment in favor of our client, dismissing the negligence, product liability negligence and strict product liability claims.

Michael L. Hahn represents clients in tort liability defense, products liability, personal injury, class action defense and construction injury matters, and his practice also includes litigation of complex matters, insurance coverage and insurance litigation.

Edirin Ibru focuses his practice on general business litigation and commercial liability, and he has additional experience representing clients in matters involving attorney conflict-of-interest.