Skechers Shape-Ups are a new take on the foundation of traditional footwear. Their distinct design boasts a rounded sole that is intended to develop otherwise dormant muscles. Subsequently, these shoes have been touted as a revolutionary and innovative way to stay in shape without the nuisance monotonous daily workouts. However, the rounded sole tasked with developing muscle definition may be responsible for severe Skechers Shape-Ups injuries. The rounded sole of Skechers Shape-Ups may significantly increase a consumers risk of sustaining a major injury.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Skechers Shape-Ups, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Skechers Shape-Ups Lawsuit Overview
Skechers Shape-Ups are specifically designed to provide consumers with an alternative means of getting fit while they walk. Accordingly, Shape-Ups may take the place of boots, sandals, and shoes, while simultaneously contributing to muscle development. The distinct rounded sole on the bottom of the shoe is intended to purposefully place wearers in a state of perpetual unbalance. Therefore, by simply walking, consumers are forced to use unfamiliar muscles to maintain their balance. Doing so provides wearers with additional muscle tone. Used regularly, Shape-Ups ay enhance the way consumers feel and look; muscles get toned, calories are burned and posture improves.
However, recent complaints allege that Skechers Shape-Ups may exhibit a propensity for injury. Sports medicine experts contend that the built-in instability of Skechers Shape-Ups may make wearers unnecessarily prone to tripping and falling. The rounded sole of Skechers Shape-Ups have reportedly been associated with injuries such as broken bones, broken or sprained ankles, broken hips, pain or tightness in the heel, calf, and Achilles’ tendon. Due to the severity of such injuries, consumers may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation of their potential Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuit.
Skechers Shape-Ups Injuries
Skechers Shape-Ups unique rounded sole design may be responsible for unexpected falls, particularly in the elderly and those with conditions affecting balance. A serious fall can be life-threatening or permanently disabling. Other people who may be at higher risk of injury caused by the shoes include people who suffer from vertigo, poor balance, or weak ankles. Several existing conditions may significantly increase the risk of a severe fall. However, those who do not exhibit problems at all may also seriously hurt themselves. Often times injuries are caused by the deliberate addition of an unstable sole.
Many people have suffered acute injuries, including broken bones and torn ligaments. Others complain that long-term use of the shoes has caused serious injury to leg muscles, ligaments, bones, joints, or tendons.
The following is a comprehensive list of the potential Skechers Shape-Ups injuries that have been associated with the shoes:
- Slips and falls
- Head injuries
- Broken legs and ankles
- Muscle strains
- Torn ligaments
- Hamstring injuries
- Strains of the achilles tendon
- Pulled muscles
- Knee injuries
- Stress fractures
- Hip injuries
Skechers Shape-Ups Lawsuit
In a recent broadcast by 10News, the local news company reported on an injury that a woman sustained while wearing Skechers Shape-Ups on a hike. According to the woman, Danette Reando, her Skechers Shape-Ups were responsible for the broken leg and ankle she received after a severe fall. Reando was airlifted to a hospital and treated for broken bones and torn ligaments. She said she has no doubt what caused her fall. “It was my Skechers shoes,” Reando said.
According to 10News, an influx of emails and phone calls have been pouring in ever since they aired Reando’s unfortunate story. Compounding the situation even further, are numerous Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuits that have been filed under similar circumstances. According to plaintiff representatives, there are currently 37 plaintiffs involved in the Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuit who allege that they were injured while wearing the products. Representatives expect the number of complaints to double in the coming weeks.
Similar to that of Reando’s situation, a woman by the name of Holly Ward is currently in the process of litigation against Skechers. Ward claims that she suffered stress fractures in both of her hips after wearing Skechers Shape-Ups the previous five months. Due to the severe nature of here injury, Ward’s current Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuit is seeking compensation for the companies neglect to properly warn her of potential injuries.
Skechers Settles Charges With FTC
In a claim filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Skechers has allegedly made unfounded claims that its Shape-ups shoes would help people lose weight and strengthen their butt, leg and stomach muscles. Products involved in the claim include the company’s Resistance Runner, Toners, and Tone-ups shoes.
Ads for the Resistance Runner shoes claimed people who wear them could increase “muscle activation” by up to 85 percent for posture-related muscles and 71 percent for one of the muscles in the buttocks, said the FTC. However, the FTC acknowledged that Skechers falsely represented that clinical studies conducted on their products.
Having established a case against Skechers, both companies decided to settle outside of court. Subsequently, the settlement would have Skechers pay approximately $40 million for the transgressions they committed. The settlement also bars Skechers from misrepresenting any tests, studies or research on its shoes in the future.
Consumers who bought the shoes will be eligible for refunds, though it’s not clear how much money people will get from the Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuit. The FTC says that will depend on how many claims are received in the eight-month filing period. Most of the $40 million will be returned to consumers, the commission said. A small amount of the money will be used to administer the payouts.
Do I Have a Skechers Shape-Ups Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has been injured by Skechers Shape-Ups, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.