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.

Skechers Fined For Allegedly Misleading Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission announced last week that Skechers had agreed to pay a $40,000,000.00 fine for making representations in their advertising that simply were not true.  For many people seeking a healthier lifestyle or trying to lose weight, the advertisements seemed almost too good to be true - wear Skechers Shape-ups footwear and watch the pounds melt away.  According to a CCN story, at a news conference last Wednesday, the FTC said the shoemaker's claims weren't true and alleged Skechers violated federal law by misleading consumers, consisting of "unfounded claims that Shape-ups would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles."

See the CNN news story HERE.

Skechers Shape-ups have been touted as being able to:

1. Promote weight loss,
2. Tone muscles,
3. Improve posture,
4. Reduce stress on knees and ankles,
5. Strengthen and firm the back muscles,
6. Tighten abdominal muscles,
7. Improve blood circulation,
8. Firm leg muscles,
9. Tone and firm thigh muscles,
10. Relieve muscle tension and fatigue, and
11. Allow the wearer to get in shape without setting foot in a gym.

Moved by such claims, consumers purchased the Shape-ups with very high expectations, and they sometimes did not only fail to see the results promised, but they were injured as well.  The Shape-ups shoes are actually designed to be unstable, and this makes them potentially dangerous, especially for those with knee or ankle instability issues.  Older consumers , who are prone to falls in general, can be exposed to an even greater risk of falls and serious injuries because of the shoe instability.  In spite of this, Skechers marketed their well-hyped shoes to everyone, including those at a heightened risk for falls.  Those injured because of being misled and never warned, have the right to bring a products liability action to recover compensation for their injuries and damages.

Compensation for the victims of dangerously defective products, including toning shoes like Skechers Shape-ups, should be an important concern for all Californians.  When an unsafe product, such as a pair of toning shoes, causes severe injuries or death, the manufacturer should be held accountable for the injuries and damages they leave behind.  An Orange County products liability attorney with experience at handling such cases can make a fair assessment of these claims.  Mr. Ralph has 20 years of experience handling personal injury and product liability cases, including just this type.  His office filed the first Orange County lawsuit against Skechers, and he can be reached at 714-919-4415 for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Have you or a family member been injured by Skechers Shape-ups or some other toning shoes?

• This posting should not be construed as legal advice or an opinion on the merit of any particular matter.  A consultation is the best way to obtain an assessment of your potential case.