December 17, 2025 – An incident involving a TRUE brand treadmill has resulted in severe injuries for an elderly user, including a brain bleed and multiple fractures. The incident reportedly occurred due to the user mistaking a large red safety key for the primary stop button, leading to a fall from the machine.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 21, 2025, an individual’s mother suffered a serious fall from a TRUE treadmill. According to the incident report, she was attempting to stop the machine when she pushed a prominent, large red button, which she believed was the designated stop control. However, this button was, in fact, the receptacle for the safety key, which only functions as a stop mechanism when connected via a clip to the user. The actual stop button on the treadmill was described as significantly smaller in comparison to the large red safety key receptacle.
As a result of the fall, the user sustained severe injuries, including bilateral shoulder fractures, a facial bone fracture, a complete lower lip laceration, and a brain bleed. The incident highlights potential safety concerns regarding the design and prominence of critical control functions on fitness equipment.
Safety Concerns
This incident raises significant safety concerns regarding the intuitive design of treadmill controls, particularly for emergency situations:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary and most immediate danger is the risk of severe falls from a moving treadmill. Such falls can lead to a wide range of injuries, including fractures (as seen in this case with shoulders and facial bones), severe lacerations (like the complete lower lip laceration), concussions, and life-threatening internal injuries such as brain bleeds. The inability to quickly and reliably stop a machine during a sudden loss of balance or emergency significantly escalates these risks.
- Long-Term Risks: Injuries sustained from such falls can have profound long-term consequences. Brain bleeds can lead to persistent cognitive impairment, neurological deficits, chronic headaches, and may require extensive rehabilitation. Fractures, especially complex ones like those to the shoulders, can result in chronic pain, limited mobility, and may necessitate multiple surgeries and long recovery periods. Facial injuries can lead to disfigurement, requiring reconstructive surgery, and can cause significant psychological distress.
- Who Might Be Affected: Elderly individuals, who may have slower reaction times, reduced balance, or be less familiar with complex electronic interfaces, are particularly vulnerable. However, any user, regardless of age or fitness level, could be affected by confusing or non-intuitive control designs, especially in a moment of panic or when experiencing a sudden physical issue. The design of controls should be universally clear and accessible.
- Property Damage Potential: While the primary concern here is personal injury, severe and uncontrolled falls from a treadmill could also lead to damage to the treadmill itself, nearby furniture, or other personal property.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a TRUE brand treadmill or any similar fitness equipment, or if you have experienced a similar incident:
- Immediate Steps to Take: If you or someone you know has been injured by a treadmill fall, seek immediate medical attention for any injuries sustained. Document the incident thoroughly, including taking photos of the treadmill’s control panel, the location of the actual stop button versus the safety key receptacle, and any visible injuries.
- How to Check if They Own the Affected Product: Owners of TRUE brand treadmills should carefully review their product’s user manual to familiarize themselves with all operating controls, especially the primary stop button, emergency stop mechanisms, and the proper function and location of the safety key. Pay close attention to the visual cues and prominence of each control.
- Prevention Measures:
* Familiarize Yourself Thoroughly: Before beginning any workout, take the time to locate and understand all start, stop, and emergency stop mechanisms on your treadmill. Do not assume a large red button is the primary stop.
* Use the Safety Key Correctly: Always use the treadmill’s safety clip/key as intended. Ensure it is properly attached to your clothing so it will disengage the machine if you fall or move too far back on the belt.
* Practice at Low Speeds: At a very slow speed (e.g., 0.5-1.0 mph), practice engaging the stop button and emergency stop to ensure you know exactly how to operate them effectively and instinctively.
* Seek Assistance: If you are new to using a treadmill, have balance concerns, or are elderly, consider having someone spot you or seek guidance from a fitness professional.
- Reporting Procedures: If you have experienced a similar incident, identify a design flaw, or have concerns about the safety of a product, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the report date, the manufacturer, TRUE FITNESS TECHNOLOGY, has not provided a public response regarding this specific incident.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.