A Los Angeles man is suing LA Fitness, alleging he suffered severe injuries after a security guard deployed pepper spray inside a North Hollywood gym in August 2024. The lawsuit claims the incident left the plaintiff, Albert Dishoian, in a state of “total shock and worsening pain.”
Dishoian was reportedly working out at the LA Fitness located on Laurel Canyon Boulevard when he began experiencing breathing difficulties, a burning sensation in his eyes, and a persistent cough. The lawsuit states that other gym-goers nearby also began exhibiting similar symptoms. When they sought assistance from gym staff, Dishoian discovered a pepper spray canister had been discharged by an LA Fitness security guard.
According to the legal filing, the pepper spray infiltrated the gym area, affecting numerous individuals. Dishoian alleges that paramedics treated him at the scene, but he subsequently sought hospital care. There, he was reportedly diagnosed with bronchospasms, a direct inguinal hernia, and assault by poisoning with mace spray, attributed to the fumes and vapors from the deployed spray. The lawsuit contends these injuries will cause ongoing anxiety, severe emotional distress, insecurity, fear, apprehension, pain, and suffering.
Dishoian is suing LA Fitness for premises liability and general negligence. The suit argues that the gym had a non-delegable duty to ensure members could exercise freely without being exposed to toxic substances and that the facility failed to prevent the spread of damage, evacuate him from the toxic fumes, or warn him of the impending harm.
When contacted for comment regarding the lawsuit, a spokesperson for LA Fitness stated, “We will have no comment toward this.”