Peloton Fined $US19 Million Over Child Death & Several Injuries

The American home exercise equipment company Peloton has been fined a $US19 million civil penalty over the death of a young child in 2021 and several injuries caused by their Tread+ treadmill.

After experiencing explosive growth during the pandemic when the demand for home exercise gear skyrocketed, Peloton has come under fire for continuing to sell the Tread+ after receiving reports that it could cause serious injuries.

In this article, we’ll examine the details surrounding the Peloton lawsuit and its outcome.

What caused the Peloton death and how old was the child?

Details about the circumstances that led to the tragic death of a 6-year-old child in March 2021, including where and when it occurred, have not been released. However, what is known is that the death occurred as a direct result of the child being pulled under the rear of the Peloton Tread+ treadmill.

How many deaths and injuries have occurred on the Peloton Tread+?

What makes this terrible incident even more shocking is that Peloton was already aware that these machines had the potential to cause harm. This timeline covers the events leading up to the Tread+ product recall, including the Peloton treadmill death in March 2021:

• December 2018: Peloton received the first report of an injury when an individual was pulled under the rear of the treadmill.
• January 2019-February 2021: Peloton continued to receive reports of people, children, pets and objects being sucked under the Tread+. The company received 150+ reports of this nature during this time.
• February 2021: After being trapped under the Peloton Tread+, a 3-year-old boy sustained back and neck injuries and a significant permanent brain injury.
• March 2021: A 6-year-old child died after being pulled under the Peloton treadmill. Peloton warned parents to keep kids away from using their treadmills.
• April 2021: The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) made a request to Peloton to recall the product, while Peloton delayed the agency’s investigation into potential safety problems.
• May 2021: Peloton and the CPSC jointly announced the recall of the Tread+ treadmill.

Terms of the Peloton settlement

On 5 January 2023, the CPSC announced that Peloton had agreed to pay a civil penalty of $US19 million as a settlement. This resolves the charges made by the CPSC that Peloton knowingly failed to immediately report that the Tread+ contained a defect that created an unreasonable risk of serious injury.

The Peloton settlement also resolves the charges that Peloton violated the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) by knowingly distributing treadmills that had been recalled.

Another part of the settlement agreement is that Peloton is required to maintain an enhanced system of internal controls and procedures and an enhanced Peloton safety compliance program with the CPSA. These measures are intended to prevent any Peloton bike injuries and treadmill injuries in the future.

What are the risks of using Peloton and other home gym equipment?

In a 2020 study conducted by the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, it was found that most at home-treadmill injuries occurred in children under the age of 16. In the case of Peloton’s lawsuit, the risk went up due to the higher gap between the treadmill and the floor of the Tread+ model, making it easier for children to become stuck.

Unfortunately, injuries from home exercise machines are not uncommon. Some common home gym equipment injuries include fractures to the hands and fingers, skin abrasions and neck injuries.

However, there’s hope in knowing that in Australia, there are laws to protect consumers if they sustain an injury from an accident involving home gym equipment.

Do you have a personal injury or death benefit claim?

LHD Lawyers help everyday Australians receive the benefits they are entitled to with personal injury compensation and death benefit claims. If you (or a family member) have been injured as a result of using an at-home exercise machine, it is only fair that you receive all the legal support you are entitled to, so you can get your life back on track.

We are so sure of our abilities to win your case that we stand firmly by our No Win No Fee Policy. Call 1800 455 725 to arrange a consultation.