blog home Product Liability Holding Peloton Accountable for Tread+ Injuries

Holding Peloton Accountable for Tread+ Injuries

By Jason Bottlinger on June 1, 2021

Peloton, the workout equipment manufacturer that became infamous for 2019’s strangest holiday commercial, has made headlines once against for a far more serious issue. Since launching its high-class treadmill Tread+, the manufacturer has faced public backlash following reports that multiple children and pets were injured by the device. This culminated in March 2021, when a 6-year-old child was killed by a Tread+, which eventually forced the company to recall the device on May 5, 2021.

But what was the issue, and what options are available for victims?

How Peloton’s Tread+ Injured Children

Peloton’s Tread+ has been marketed as a high-end treadmill, complete with Bluetooth integration, a 32-inch touchscreen, and multiple “quality of life” settings for users. Despite appearing to be a state-of-the-art treadmill, this device has a serious defect. In over 30 reports of injuries to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), victims reported children being pulled under the device and trapped. Of the cases reported to the CPSC, the children suffered serious cuts, bruises, broken bones, and one death.

While Peloton initially refused to issue a recall, the company did relent on May 5, 2021, after the CPSC issued a warning, and the public backlashed. The company openly acknowledged that there were more than 70 injuries to children and adults as it recalled over 125,000 treadmills. Currently, Tread+ owners have until November 6, 2022, to request a refund, or for the company to relocate the device into another room to keep children and pets away from it. The company has also issued a software update that locks the device when it is not in use and adds more security measures.

Peloton has advised users to outright stop using the Tread+ and comply with the recall, citing the high risk of injury. While these are good steps forward to protect future customers, it offers little relief to those already injured by the device.

What Can I Do If Myself or My Child Was Injured by a Tread+?

Peloton’s dangerous design is responsible for injuring multiple children and adults. Issuing a recall is not enough, especially after the company tried to deny liability for these injuries at first. If you or your child was injured due to the Tread+, then you deserve full compensation for your trauma in a product liability claim.

In order to file a successful product liability claim, you will need to prove that:

  • The Peloton Tread+ featured a defect that the manufacturer was aware of, or reasonably should have been aware of;
  • Peloton failed to warn consumers of the defect;
  • You were using the Tread+ as it was intended to be used;
  • You were injured as a result of the Tread+’s defect; and
  • You suffered some form of financial loss as a result of your injuries.

To prove each of these points, you should work with a skilled Omaha product liability attorney who can bring in engineers, doctors, and other expert witnesses to support your case. At Bottlinger Law L.L.C., our legal team can dig into the details of your injuries to determine if you can recover compensation. To discuss your case in a free consultation, call us at (402) 505-8234.

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