Peloton’s Treadmills are Recalled After an Infant Death and 70 Injuries

Peloton’s treadmills have become a popular product during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, questions are now being asked about their safety after this popular exercise equipment caused an infant death and over 70 injuries. This month, after weeks of fighting federal safety regulators over a potential recall, Peloton pulled its Tread+ treadmills.

Why was the Peloton Treadmill Recalled?

On April 17, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an urgent warning over the popular exercise equipment. At the time, the CPSC highlighted 39 injuries to children including one death. A pet was also injured underneath one of the machines. “CPSC staff believes the Peloton Tread+ poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death. In light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, CPSC urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately,” the safety watchdog warned in a statement.

The agency said at least one incident apparently took place when a parent locked the device after using it, but this mechanism failed and did not render the treadmill safe. The Commission received about 40 more reports of injuries from the treadmills since it issued the urgent warning. Peloton initially branded the CPSC warning inaccurate and misleading and told users there was no reason to stop working out on the machine if they followed safety instructions.

However, Peloton’s response seemed to shift this week as reports of injuries continued to come in. CNN reported company CEO John Foley apologized for not moving faster on the recall and admitted the company’s reputation has been harmed by this episode.

CNN reported the treadmill recall will cost the company about $165 million in lost revenue during the current quarter alone and see its profits take a $16 million hit. Peloton’s products became increasingly popular during the pandemic as millions of people started working from home. The company’s revenues doubled in the first three months of 2021.

Why Are Peloton Tread + Machines Dangerous?

A report in Newsweek states the Tread+ recall is separate from a recall of Tread machines. The issues with Tread machines center around touchscreen failures and have not been reported to have caused any injuries in the United States. Alternatively, the Tread+ machine has been linked to dozens of injuries and one death to young children who became trapped in the machines.

Newsweek noted the treadmill uses slat-belt technology. The means there is a gap between the moving belt and the floor. In one video released by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a boy’s arm appears to be pulled under the machine and into the gap. The boy tries to remove himself from the machine only to be pulled back under it. The heavy machine then moves over the top half of his body, leaving just his legs visible. Although the boy manages to pull himself free, not all children have been so fortunate.

Of 72 reports of injuries received by the CPSC, 29 reports concern injuries to children, including second and third-degree abrasions, lacerations, and broken bones. Treadmills are among the most dangerous pieces of fitness equipment in the gym. The Consumer Product Safety Commission receives about 24,000 reports of treadmill-related injuries every year in the United States.

While the user is the victim of most treadmill-related injuries, considerable numbers of children who are not users of machines, are ending up injured under Peloton Tread+ machines, the reports suggest.

Our attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers represent many people who have been hurt by defective products every year ranging from cars to industrial products, and defective medical devices. Children are particularly vulnerable.

The number of injuries reported from a poorly designed or dangerous product is habitually underreported. We believe manufacturers who make millions of dollars from popular products have a duty to ensure they are safe and should be held accountable when injuries occur. Please contact our Virginia Beach child injury lawyers today for a free consultation.