TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — A fitness club member alleges he suffered serious injuries while using a vibrating fitness machine at a Florida gym.
James Letzelter filed a complaint July 26 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Dmitri Amhal George, Optimum Fitness Training Inc., and Performance Health Systems LLC, alleging negligence, strict liability and premises liability.
According to his complaint, Letzelter hired George to provide personal training and exercise coaching services in May 2021 at Optimum in Tampa. He claims that on May 6, 2021, he was exercising at Optimum and was using a "power plate" exercise machine.
Letzelter alleges that as he stood on the base of the power plate, it violently vibrated his body from head to toe and caused him to suffer severe and permanent injuries including a right eye retina detachment. He claims the defendants negligently designed the machine and failed to test or inspect the product.
Letzelter also claims the defendants failed to have adequate warnings, instructions or information on the machine and that Optimum failed to have trained staff to maintain the fitness equipment.
Letzelter seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Ryan Gilbert of Ryan Gilbert Law PLLC in Gainesville.