Amazon Sperax Walking Pad Lawsuit Alleges Sudden Stop Caused Severe Ankle Injuries

Lawsuit follows a federal warning urging consumers to stop using certain Sperax walking pads due to reports of sudden speed changes, which could result in falls.

An Idaho woman has filed a product liability lawsuit against Amazon, alleging a defective exercise device purchased through its website caused her to fall while working out.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Sherrill Bakken in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington on November 3, naming Amazon.com Services LLC as the defendant.

Amazon has faced prior product liability lawsuits involving defective products sold by third-party manufacturers through its online marketplace, with individuals alleging the company’s role in listing, processing payments, storing and shipping merchandise makes it legally responsible for resulting injuries and property damage.

Bakken claims the online retailer failed to ensure the walking pad was reasonably safe, despite allegedly knowing the product could suddenly stop and cause consumers to fall.

Treadmill Safety Risks

Defective treadmill designs can expose consumers to serious fall hazards, particularly when equipment unexpectedly changes speed, stops abruptly or suffers mechanical failures. Recent lawsuits and federal safety warnings involving popular treadmill brands have raised concerns about whether manufacturers are doing enough to prevent foreseeable injuries.

Last month, an Ohio couple filed a NordicTrack treadmill lawsuit, alleging a design defect caused a woman to fall from the machine and fracture her hip, requiring extensive surgical repair.

Bakken’s lawsuit follows an April 2026 warning from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), urging consumers to immediately stop using certain Sperax walking pads and treadmills, including the Pro, Q1, RM-01 and RM-02 models, due to serious fall, burn and fire hazards.

The CPSC indicates it received 201 reports involving unexpected speed changes, abrupt stops and other malfunctions, resulting in at least 66 falls or injuries, including a concussion requiring medical attention. Federal regulators also received 573 reports of overheating, fires and other thermal incidents, including four reports of minor burns.

Sperax Walking Pad Injury Allegations

According to the complaint, Bakken purchased the Sperax walking pad through Amazon.com on September 1, 2024. On November 10, 2024, she was using the walking pad for exercise when it allegedly stopped suddenly and unexpectedly, causing her to fall.

Bakken indicates she required surgical intervention and suffered permanent injuries to both ankles, claiming she has experienced significant physical pain, mental anguish, diminished enjoyment of life and medical expenses related to the incident.

The complaint alleges the walking pad was defectively and negligently designed and manufactured. It says that safer alternative designs were available which could have prevented the incident and that Amazon knew or should have known the product posed a serious safety risk.

Bakken argues Amazon continued selling the products without adequately warning consumers or taking steps to address the alleged defects. She further claims the company failed to exercise reasonable care in the product’s importation, distribution, marketing, quality control and sale, and failed to provide adequate warnings.

“Defendant knew or should have known of these defects but has nevertheless put profit ahead of safety by continuing to sell their walking pads to consumers and failing to warn said consumers of the serious risks posed by the defects to Plaintiff and consumers like her”

— Sherrill Bakken v. Amazon.com Services LLC

The lawsuit raises allegations of strict products liability, negligence, breach of implied warranty and statutory liability. It seeks damages, costs of suit, pre- and post-judgment interest and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.

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