Peloton's Fatal Flaw: NYC Man "Instantly" Killed by Exercise Bike, Lawsuit Claims
Man's life was cut short in a tragic Peloton accident the lawsuit filed by his mother alleges that the "dangerous" exercise equipment severed his carotid artery.
Peloton is back in the hot seat, and this time, it's not just your wallet they're killing. A lawsuit, freshly unearthed by The Daily Beast, just crowned Peloton with its first-known death by bike. But hold onto your yoga pants, because this isn't Peloton's first dance with the Grim Reaper. Cast your minds back to 2021—a 6-year-old got yanked into a Peloton treadmill and didn't live to tell the tale.
The company's execs had the gall to call it a "tragic accident," as if that's some Get Out of Jail Free card. But wait, there's more horror in this house of fitness mirrors. A 3-year-old ended up with a "significant brain injury" and a back that looked like it went through a paper shredder, all thanks to Peloton's now-defunct Tread Plus. And the cherry on this sundae of sorrow? A $19 million fine was slapped on Peloton earlier this year.
Peloton, the brand that became everyone's pandemic BFF, is now more like that frenemy you wish you'd never met. This Furtado lawsuit is just the latest in a string of embarrassments for the once-golden child of the fitness world. Remember when we were all locked down and Peloton was the shining star? Well, that star's been dimming faster than a cheap Christmas light ever since we got our freedom back.
But get this, even fictional characters can't escape the Peloton curse. Remember when Mr. Big from the "Sex and the City" reboot keeled over from a heart attack right after his 1,000th ride? Yeah, that little plot twist sent Peloton's stock into a nosedive. And let's not forget the near-death experience on Showtime's "Billions"—another heart attack, another Peloton ride. Thankfully, the writers had mercy on that one.
Johanna Furtado, the grieving mother of 32-year-old Ryan Furtado, has filed a lawsuit against Peloton, claiming that their exercise bike is a "death trap." The lawsuit, filed in New York Supreme Court, seeks damages for "pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life," and a slew of other non-economic damages, including past and future medical and psychiatric care.
According to the lawsuit, Ryan was in the middle of a "core" workout, which required him to dismount from his Peloton bike and perform floor exercises. When he tried to get up, he used the bike for support. Tragically, the bike allegedly "spun around," impacting his neck and face, and severing his carotid artery. The lawsuit claims that Ryan was killed "instantly."
The New York Police Department found Ryan with the bike still resting on his neck and face, a grim testament to the alleged danger posed by the equipment.
This isn't the first time Peloton has been under the microscope for safety issues. Earlier this year, the company recalled 2.2 million bikes due to seat posts that could break off during use. Peloton treadmills have also been linked to several injuries and even the death of a child.
Johanna Furtado argues that Peloton failed to adequately warn users about the risks and did not sufficiently test the bike's safety. The lawsuit points out that the bike has "only one warning label," which is insufficient to alert users about the potential dangers.
In a statement, Peloton expressed their "deepest sympathy and condolences to the Furtado family." They emphasized that the "health and safety of our member community is a top priority."
Ryan Furtado, a Maui native and University of Redlands graduate, was a senior customer success manager at Demandbase. His obituary describes him as a person with a "kind heart, witty humor, and overall zest for life."
Previously, it recalled its Tread+ after a child died and 90 injuries were reported in connection with the machine, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has said.Â
Remember, we are the guardians of our family's safety. Let's continue to stay informed, vigilant, and proactive in addressing these types of issues.
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