Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
A Florida couple says that their six-year-old son was dragged under a Peloton Tread treadmill, suffering face and shoulder burns in a lawsuit filed against the company Tuesday.
Plaintiffs Rashad and Jasmine Greene and their minor child filed the lawsuit in Florida federal court. In it, they say that their son was dragged by his clothes under the rear of their nearly $2,500 Tread in November of 2020. They accuse Peloton Interactive, Inc of failing to warn them of the dangerous characteristics of the luxury treadmill that has resulted in more than 70 injury reports and the death of another young child.
The Greenes say they purchased their Tread for $2,495 in the summer of 2020. They say that they had no reason to think that the pricey exercise equipment would pose a danger to their young son; however, a few months later, the child was pulled under the treadmill, suffering face and shoulder burns, along with continuing emotional trauma from the incident.
The lawsuit says that the problem is in the design of the treadmill, which has slats on the conveyor. Peloton marketed the Tread and Tread+ treadmills as superior to regular conveyor belts, the Greenes say that the design makes it easier for kids and pets to get pulled under.
The lawsuit contends that injury can happen even if the child is supervised, noting that parents have reported children approaching out of eyesight and becoming trapped under the Tread.
Further, the Tread and Tread+ lack any safety features that would stop a child from being pulled under. Other treadmills feature belt guards and safety bars say the Greenes. Peloton, allege the plaintiffs, sacrificed these safety features to preserve the Tread’s “unique” and “sleek” design.
“Peloton’s Tread and Tread+ machines contain significant design flaws that make them defective, unfit for use in a home with children, and unreasonably dangerous for their intended purpose—namely, because the design is extremely susceptible to children (and pets) getting trapped underneath the machine while it is operating.”
The Greenes contend that they never would have purchased the Peloton Tread had they known the dangers it presented to their child, as well as to other children and pets. The lawsuit notes that Peloton marketed the treadmills as appropriate for family use, with pictures of young children next to the Tread.
Indeed, on April 17, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an urgent warning about Peloton’s Tread +. Its warning included a graphic video of a child captured on camera being sucked under the machine, which is shown with a warning due to its disturbing content.
Peloton initially fought a recall of the Tread, saying consumers who followed safety precautions had “no reason to stop using the Tread+.” After continued pressure by the CPSC, consumer advocacy groups, and the filing of at least one class action lawsuit, the company recalled the Peloton Tread in May.
The company has since produced a software update that will lock the treadmill after 45 seconds of inactivity.
The Greenes accuse Peloton of negligence and failing to warn them of the danger the Tread posed to their young son. They are seeking a jury trial and damages for the injuries to their child.
Do you own a Peloton Tread? Are you concerned about whether the treadmill is safe around children and pets? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
The plaintiffs are represented by Jonathan R. Gdanski, Jeffrey L. Haberman, and Sarah Schultz of Schlesinger Law Offices, PA.
The Peloton Tread Lawsuit is Greene, et al. v. Peloton Interactive, Inc., Case No. 4:21-cv-00215-MW-MAF in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
4 thoughts onCouple Files Lawsuit Against Peloton After Six-Year-Old Son Dragged Under Tread
Please add me
Add me.
Please include my name my son was injured with this death trap
Add me