On May 5, 2021, the popular exercise equipment company Peloton announced a voluntary recall of both its Tread+ and Tread treadmill machines following serious safety concerns. Peloton advised customers who already have the machines to stop using them and contact the company for a full refund. The company says it is working on a repair that it will offer customers in the coming weeks.
The recall affects about 125,000 Tread+ machines and about 1,050 Tread machines in the US after dozens of reports of injury and one death associated with the products. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) stated that the Peloton Tread+ poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death. In a recent press release, the commission urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately after receiving multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned and pulled under the rear roller of the product.
The CPSC received 72 reports of adults, children, pets, and objects being pulled under Peloton’s Tread+ machines. Children were injured in 29 of the cases, including the death of one six-year-old boy. After the child’s death in March, before the official recall, the company directed users to keep Peloton products away from children and keep safety keys out of their reach. At least one incident occurred while a parent was running on the treadmill, suggesting that simply locking the machine when not in use is not effective in avoiding all risks.
Issues with the Tread product involve the touch screen on the treadmill detaching from the machine and falling, creating a danger and risk of injury to consumers. Consumers in Canada and Britain reported minor injuries including bruises and abrasions, but no injuries have been reported in the US regarding the touch screen defect.
The CPSC issued an initial warning about the Tread+ machine on April 17, 2021, that Peloton called “inaccurate and misleading.” When the company issued the official recall weeks later, Peloton CEO John Foley released a public apology for not cooperating with the CPSC sooner.
There was also a recall issued in October 2020 of 27,000 Peloton bikes after reports of broken pedals causing injuries.
Product Safety Responsibility
Manufacturers have a responsibility to design and manufacture products that are safe for their intended use. While some dangers and risks of injury cannot be designed out of some products, manufacturers have a responsibility to keep their consumers informed of the dangers associated with using their products and must provide reasonable warnings where unanticipated dangers can be avoided. Even in cases when dangers were unforeseen, manufacturers may still be held liable.
Product liability lawsuits help keep our communities safe by holding manufacturers accountable for the integrity of their products. We recommend contacting an attorney if you or a loved one have been injured by a harmful product. A lawyer can walk you through the steps required to pursue a product liability case and if financial compensation may be available.
Our team at Panter, Panter, & Sampedro has extensive experience in product liability cases, and we can help answer any of your questions. If you believe that you have been the victim of a harmful or faulty product, please give us a call at (305) 662-6178 to schedule a free consultation.
SOURCES:
- Thomas. (2021, May 5).Peloton recalling all treadmills after reports of injuries, one death. Retrieved from: https://cnbc.com/2021/05/05/peloton-recalling-all-treadmills-after-reports-of-injuries-one-death.html
- Victor, D. (2021, May 5). Peloton Recalls Treadmills After Injuries and a Child’s Death. Retrieved from: https://nytimes.com/2021/05/05/business/peloton-recall-tread-plus.html
- Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2021, April 17). CPSC Warns Consumers: Stop Using the Peloton Tread+. Retrieved from: https://cpsc.gov/content/cpsc-warns-consumers-stop-using-the-peloton-tread
