Peloton Treadmills Recalled After Injuries
After a series of injuries and one fatal accident, the home fitness company Peloton has issued a voluntary recall for two models of treadmills the company recently began selling in the United States. This follows a warning previously issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in April 2021 about the potential dangers associated with these products.
Although most consumer products are rigorously tested before being distributed to U.S. markets, some unfortunately make it all the way into the homes of customers before serious and potentially dangerous design flaws become apparently. These recalled Peloton treadmills are just two of the latest examples of this unfortunate trend—one that experienced product liability attorneys are all too familiar with.
Why Have the Peloton Tread and Tread+ Been Recalled?
On May 5, 2021, the CPSC issued separate recall notices—voluntarily initiated and supported by Peloton—for the Peloton model number TR01 and TR02 products, sold respectively as the Peloton Tread+ and Peloton Tread. The former model has been available through online ordering and Peloton showrooms in the United States since September 2018, while the latter has seen wide release in a few other countries but has only been available state-side as an invitation-only limited release since November 2020.
As per the CPSC recall announcement, the Tread+ has been involved in at least 72 incidents of objects, pets, and either minor or adult users being pulled underneath the treadmill’s rear. 29 of these incidents caused serious injuries to children ranging lacerations and severe abrasions to broken bones, and one six-year-old child tragically lost their life due to harm they suffered after being pulled under the treadmill’s moving tread.
The problem with the Peloton Tread, on the other hand, lies with the touchscreen console attached to the treadmill’s railing, according to the associated CPSC recall announcement. The company has received 18 reports of this touchscreen loosening to a hazardous degree, as well as six reports of the screen detaching completely and falling off the treadmill, causing minor injuries to users in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Recovering for Injuries Caused by Defective Products
Customers who purchased either model of recalled treadmill are eligible for full refunds from Peloton until November 6, 2022, after which point customers may receive partial refunds if they choose to return defective Tread+ models. Unfortunately, these “voluntary” recalls came too late for several dozen users who sustained severe and potentially life-altering harm because of a negligently constructed product.
Civil liability for unreasonably dangerous consumer products can often be a tricky thing to establish, especially if it has been some time after the injured party purchased the product in question. However, if a plaintiff can prove that a defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control and that they sustained injury as a direct consequence of that specific defect, they may be able to hold that company strictly liable for their damages rather than liable based on negligence.
A qualified personal injury attorney could explain how this process works in more detail during a private consultation. If you were hurt by a defective Peloton product or because of any other unsafe product, our firm could potentially help you recover comprehensively for your losses.
