At-home workout equipment became especially popular due to COVID-19 lockdowns and quarantines, but a big home fitness brand recently issued a major recall after one of its products resulted in the death of a child and dozens of more injuries.

On May 5, 2021, Peloton announced it was recalling 125,000 of its Tread+ treadmills and stopping future sales of the product after they caused the death of one child and caused 29 other children to suffer serious injuries. But as recently as April 2021, Peloton was saying its treadmills were safe, even after the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning stating that they put children and pets at risk.

Peloton’s sudden reversal and recall are significant because they indicate the company now acknowledges that its Tread+ treadmills are dangerous to consumers and others in their households.

Why the Treadmills Are Dangerous

Peloton says that it has received 72 reports of adults, children, pets, and small items being pulled underneath the rear of the treadmills while their platforms were turned on.

Of the victims, 29 children suffered serious injuries, including broken bones and cuts, and one child suffered fatal injuries. A spokesperson with the CPSC says that the Tread+ treadmills may be uniquely dangerous because of their belts and their height, which makes them more likely than other treadmills to pull people, pets, and objects underneath them.

We Want to Help Families Harmed by Tread+ Treadmills

Product manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe to use. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for damages that their products cause.

There are always some risks to using a treadmill, but small children and pets being pulled underneath and suffering serious and even fatal injuries shouldn’t be one of them. Peloton’s negligent design put hundreds of thousands of people at risk, and they should be held accountable for their oversights.

If you or someone you love was harmed by a Peloton Tread+ treadmill, you deserve compensation for your damages. Contact the Indiana defective product attorneys at Wagner Reese today for a free consultation.