Rock climbing has gained a lot momentum in the last few years, including increasing in popularity and improving its standing as a sport worldwide. In fact, in 2020, rock climbing will be added as an event at the summer Olympics. It’s no wonder with the sport trending upward, that rock climbing gyms have risen in popularity as well. However, as wonderful as this all is for the sport, is it safe and more importantly, is taking your family to an indoor rock climbing gym safe?
How Safe Are Rock Climbing Gyms?
Many rock climbing gyms prioritize the safety of climbers above all else. Still, even when they do, climbing accidents and injuries can and do happen. As the sport has gained prominence, more and more, news of climbing injuries and accidents have made the news, including:
- Daily Mail featured a report regarding a climber who fell from a climbing wall because her instructor failed to lock off her rope.
- After a 13-year-old fell from a wall at a Florida indoor playground, his family filed a lawsuit against the facility, claiming he fell because there were not staff members monitoring him. The boy suffered a broken arm and leg as a result of the fall and had to undergo surgery.
- Per National Geographic, Ashima Shiraishi, one of the world’s premiere rock climbers, was injured after falling from a climbing wall at a Georgia rock climbing gym.
If you or someone you love was injured while at a rock climbing gym, you should talk to an injury lawyer about your situation. An attorney can analyze your situation, determine whether you have grounds for an injury claim, answer your questions and explain what options are available you and your family to pursue going forward.
Would you feel safe going to an indoor rock climbing gym? If not, what would it take for you to feel safe enough to try it out?