PERSONAL INJURY: Superior Court denies Motion to Set Aside $10.8 million verdict against personal trainer

A physician claimed that his personal trainer allegedly pushed him to exercise too hard on a fitness center’s exercise machine.  The jury found that the plaintiff, a physician, was 25% responsible, reducing the $14.5 million verdict to $10.8 million.  The plaintiff allegedly suffered a massive stroke and permanent injury that dramatically affected his medical practice as a result of the trainer’s negligence.

The court rejects the defendant’s Motion to Set Aside the verdict on the ground that the plaintiff’s expert witness’s testimony was improperly admitted, finding that he was knowledgeable with regard to training.  The court also noted that the defendant’s expert testified that there was no standard of care for the personal training industry.  The court rejected the defendant’s claim that the jury was improperly instructed with regard to the standard of care.  The court also held that the plaintiff had produced sufficient evidence that the cardiac injuries were foreseeable.  “Plaintiff adduced substantial evidence in addition to the doctor’s testimony that excessive exercise, especially with bad form, can cause serious injury.”

Vaid v. Equinox Greenwich Old Track Road, Inc., CV13-6019426 (Conn.Super. 4/15/16)