Texas Injury Lawyers Blog
During the course of the COVID-19 global pandemic, tens of millions of people across the country experienced moving their work lives, but also their active lives, into their homes and away from typical common spaces such as gyms or exercise studios. As people began both working and attempting to stay active during quarantine and to practice social distancing, demand for at-home exercise options and equipment has been on the rise. But even at home, could these equipment options pose risks to you and your family? Those injured due to a dangerous piece of exercise equipment may be able to pursue a Texas product liability claim against the manufacturer.
According to a recent news article, an accident involving a Peloton treadmill has left a child dead. Although Peloton’s exercise equipment is wildly popular, their products are no exception when it comes to accidents involving children. The CEO of the company recently acknowledged the issue and claimed that the accidents have been confined to only a “small handful of incidents.” To prevent further accidents from taking place, the company is urging Peloton users to adhere to safety warnings, such as keeping exercise equipment in a separate area away from children and storing safety keys away when the equipment is not being used.
Based on a 2020 study from The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, most at-home treadmill injuries take place involving children under 16. In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of people purchasing exercise equipment for their homes, but also with children home from school with remote learning. As a result, the risk of an injury involving children and exercise equipment may be amplified because of current conditions involving the pandemic. Common injuries involving treadmills, the study found, usually involve damage to the fingers and hands, such as friction burns.
In Texas, if you or someone you love is injured by a defective product, such as faulty exercise equipment, you may have grounds to bring a product liability lawsuit in the state to recover damages. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code provides potential plaintiffs with all the information they may need when it comes to product liability laws and potential liabilities that manufacturers may face.
When filing a product liability lawsuit in Texas, time is of the essence. Potential plaintiffs must file a lawsuit against the seller or manufacturer of the product within 15 years of the date of the sale or purchase of the defective product. This amount of time may be subject to change, however, if the product manufacturer or seller has an express warranty in writing that the product is supposed to have a life longer than 15 years. If the item is supposed to last longer than 15 years based on the express warranty, the lawsuit must be filed within that time frame.
Do You Need a Texas Product Liability Attorney?
If you or someone you love has been recently injured by a defective product, contact the San Antonio product liability attorneys at Carabin Shaw today. Our lawyers have years of experience representing clients in all types of personal injury claims and can navigate Texas product liability laws with ease. To schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our team today, contact us at 800-862-1260.