Toning Shoes and the Risk of Injury

If you are considering a purchase or have already purchased a pair of toning shoes with a rocker bottom, you may also want to consider the risks those shoes present.  By design, the shoes are unstable and can lead to falls.  The shoes are intended to "force you to balance" on them so you use extra effort.  According to some of the manufacturers' own advertising, the shoes are "awkward at first".  In spite of this, these shoes are generally sold without any warning and consumers are only told the shoes will make them "healthier" and "more attractive."

The Advertising Claims

One of the leading manufacturers of toning shoes is Skechers, and their Shape-ups shoes have proven to be immensely popular.  The Shape-ups were introduced in 2009, and their sales skyrocketed quickly.  In their advertising, Skechers claimed, among other things, that you could get a "great workout without having to go to the gym", just by wearing the shoes.  In 2012, the Federal Trade Commission took a close look at the Skechers' advertising campaign and the support the company had to make such claims.  What the FTC alleged was that the claimed health benefits were unfounded and the advertising misled consumers.  The FTC action against Skechers was ultimately resolved when the company agreed to pay a $40 million dollar fine.

What If You Have a Fall

If you have been injured in a fall caused by unstable toning shoes, you may have a valid claim against the manufacturer.  For example, in one case being handled by this office, it has been alleged that an elderly woman was caused to fall by a combination of an unsafe handicap ramp and Skechers Shape-ups, resulting in injuries to her neck, back, shoulder and arm.  If an unstable pair of shoes causes or contributes to the happening of a fall and injuries, a product liability action can be pursued to recover compensation for the injuries and other damages sustained.

if you or a loved one have been injured because of unstable toning shoes, you may want to seek a free consultation with a products liability attorney to find out whether a case against the manufacturer can be pursued.