Many people have multi-gyms or cardio equipment in their homes nowadays to make working out more convenient — and there has been an uptick in resulting injuries.
One recent situation of the sort that made national news is that of Peleton treadmills. Before its recall, a few different stories circulated highlighting instances in which children got hurt by this exercise equipment. In one notable instance, a viral video showed a child becoming trapped under the treadmill’s platform. It’s easy to see how the resulting injuries could be serious, or even fatal.
How dangerous can defective exercise equipment be?
Exercise equipment has a lot of moving parts, and they need to be designed with safety in mind. When they aren’t, fingers can get caught and crushed and toes can get caught in conveyor belts. Depending on the equipment, crush injuries, lacerations and even strangulation could be possible.
At the same time, there are generally multiple parties involved in getting a product to market. There’s the designer, manufacturer, marketers and distributors. Any failures on their parts may result in the release of unsafe products on the market, resulting in hurt consumers.
What can you do if exercise equipment maims you?
Fortunately, in the case of the Peleton treadmill, the company has recalled the old units and since released a safer version of this exercise equipment on the market.
Customers who’ve suffered injuries after using their treadmills or any other piece of dangerous exercise equipment may be entitled to file a personal injury lawsuit. They can hold anyone along the supply chain liable when that party hasn’t done their due diligence to ensure their products’ safety. You should carefully build your case if this is the course of action you ultimately decide to pursue.
