GALVESTON - Claiming she lost her balance and fell as she stepped off a balance ball at a Friendswood 24 Hour Fitness about two years ago, Deborah Christensen seeks damages.
A lawsuit filed Aug. 21 in Galveston County District Court blames 24 Hour Fitness USA Inc. and one of its employees for the Aug. 24, 2011, incident in question.
Prior to the event for which she now sues, Christensen purchased a total of 11 50-minute personal training sessions from Indalecio "Andy" Rivera for $590.99.
She recalls Rivera, who is a co-defendant in the case, instructing her to stand on the aforementioned balance ball to begin one of the sessions.
"After approximately one minute, the plaintiff was instructed to step off the balance ball," the suit says.
"As she did so, she lost her balance and fell backward onto the floor."
The original petition further shows that the complainant had no previous experience using the balance ball, but Rivera purportedly failed to spot her.
It adds she "immediately felt excruciating pain" in her low back and pelvis area, and a physician who was at the gym determined she was in need of an ambulance.
Consequently, she seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Christensen is represented by attorney E.A. "Trey" Apffel III of the Apffel Law Firm in League City.
Galveston County 10th District Court Judge Kerry L. Neves is presiding over the litigation.
Case No. 13-CV-1091
24 Hour Fitness, personal trainer sued after woman falls off balancing ball
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