Skechers Shape-Ups Lawsuits Filed By Wright & Schulte LLC Allege The Rocker-Bottom Sole Design Of Skechers Toning Shoes Can Cause Unstable Gait, Possibly Leading To Foot And Ankle Fractures, Fractured Humerus, Torn Meniscus, And Torn Achillies Tendon’s, Tendon Damage And Other Serious Injuries.
The Skechers lawyers of Wright & Schulte LLC have filed 62 Skechers lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered a variety of serious injuries allegedly due to the design of Skechers Shape-Ups toning shoes. The 62 Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuits were all filed in September and October in the U.S District Court, Western District of Kentucky, where hundreds of Skechers toning shoe claims have been consolidated in a multidistrict litigation for pretrial proceedings. Richard W. Schulte, a partner with Wright & Schulte LLC, is serving on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the federal Skechers lawsuits. (In Re: Skechers Toning Shoes Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2308)
All of the complaints filed by Wright & Schulte allege that the use of Skechers Shape-Ups can result in serious injuries including:
- Fractures of both the tibia and/or fibula
- Foot/Ankle Fractures
- Torn Meniscus
- Achilles tendon
- Humerus Break
- Other Serious Injuries
Skechers Lawsuit Information
The plaintiffs in all of these cases claim that they were wearing their Skechers toning shoes while performing their daily activities and suffered falls due to the unstable gait allegedly created by the rocker bottom sole. At least three claim to have suffered a fractured tibia and fibula, including a North Carolina woman who had screws and rods inserted to repair such an injury. (Case 3:13-cv-00896-TBR). Another plaintiff from North Carolina allegedly suffered similar injuries resulting in the insertion of a plate and screws (Case 3:13-cv-00897-TBR). A third plaintiff, from Georgia, is alleged to have experienced a fall that resulted in a broken tibia and required the assistance of a walker for a time. (Case 3:13-cv-00899-TBR)
A number of plaintiffs claim to have suffered foot and ankle fractures, allegedly due to Skechers. These plaintiffs included a woman from New York who allegedly suffered a fracture to her left ankle while wearing Skechers Shape-Ups. This same plaintiff also claims to have sustained a fracture to the tip of her left distal fibula in a second fall that occurred while she was wearing the toning shoes. (Case 3:13-cv-01060-TBR). Skechers Shape-Ups also allegedly caused a number of plaintiffs to suffer a torn meniscus, including a woman from California who claims to have sustained such an injury in her right knee and had to undergo surgery to repair the damage. Another woman from New Jersey underwent surgery and extensive physical therapy to repair a torn ligament in her ankle and a torn meniscus in her knee that was allegedly caused by Skechers Shape-Ups. (Case BC-520995 Superior Court of California – County of Los Angeles)
Other Skechers Shape-Ups plaintiffs suffered serious tendon damage, allegedly due to the shoes. These included a New Mexico woman who claims to have sustained a torn Achilles tendon (Case 3:13-cv-00987-TBR), and a Colorado woman who allegedly suffered a rupture of the same (Case BC-520995 Superior Court of California – County of Los Angeles).
Another plaintiff from Illinois suffered a fracture of her right humerus when her ankle over-pronated, allegedly while she was wearing Skechers (Case BC-520995 Superior Court of California – County of Los Angeles). And finally, other plaintiffs claim to have suffered a number of serious injuries including a North Carolina woman who sustained a fractured elbow, three fractured ribs and a broken jaw, allegedly due to Skechers. (Case 3:13-cv-00894-TBR). Meanwhile, a Virginia woman suffered three broken ribs and a punctured lung, allegedly in a Skechers Shape-Ups fall. (Case 3:13-cv-00892-TBR)
According to all of these Skechers lawsuits, the manufacturer of Skechers Shape-Ups allegedly marketed the toning shoes by touting their purported ability to enable a user to “Shape Up While You Walk,” and “Get in Shape without Setting Foot in a Gym.” However, a study conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in 2010 raised serious questions about the efficacy and safety of toning shoes like Skechers Shape-Ups. By 2011, Consumer Reports had revealed that Skechers Shape-Ups and similar shoes had been the subject of more injury complaints than any other product in its database.
[acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf, ACE, August 2010]
[consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/05/are-toning-shoes-unsafe-reports-of-injuries-raise-concern/index.htm, Consumer Reports, May 2011]
In May 2012, the manufacturer of Skechers Shape-Ups agreed to pay $40 million to settle charges with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it had made unfounded claims that Shape-Ups would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles. While the settlement provided consumers with refunds for the purchase of their shoes, it did not include compensation for any personal injuries allegedly caused by Skechers Shape-Ups.
[ftc.gov/opa/2012/05/consumerrefund.shtm, FTC, May 16, 2012 ]
Wright & Schulte LLC continues to offer free Skechers injury lawsuit consultations to anyone who suffered a serious injury while using Skechers Shape-Ups, including fractures, torn meniscus, and tendon damage. For more information on filing a Skechers lawsuit, or to arrange for a free legal consultation, please visit yourlegalhelp.com, or call 1-800-399-0795.
About Wright & Schulte LLC
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged by defective drugs and their side effects, complications from defective medical devices, and unsafe consumer products, and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com, or call 1-800-399-0795.
