Skechers Sued for Shape-Up Shoe Injury
Holly Ward, a 38-year-old Ohio woman, has filed a class action lawsuit against Skechers, claiming that their popular brand of toning shoes called Shape-Ups caused stress fractures in both her hips.
Ward, a waitress, said that because of the hip fractures, she now has to endure physical therapy and has had pins inserted into both hips. She believes the cause is extended use of the Sketcher’s Shape-Ups while waitressing. She developed pain in her hips after wearing the shoes for approximately five months.
Ward’s lawyer, Ronald Johnson, pointed out in a statement, “We do not know of any testing or safety studies that Skechers did to determine safety. If they’re going to invent a whole new way for a human being to walk, the very first thing they should do is studies to make sure that’s not going to harm their customers.”
Salt Lake City chiropractor Mark Dudley, in addition to many other orthopedic doctors contacted by ABC News, has been quoted as saying that while a stress fracture in both hips is possible, it would be highly unlikely. Dudley said, “When people wear these shoes, their biomechanics do change, and they’re told to step differently with those shoes.” He suggested that women wanting to wear the shoes should ease into wearing them gradually. Dudley also said other health factors such as slips, falls, or body alignment issues could have been factors in Ward’s his fractures. Dudley did have positive things to say about the shoes, “I think these shoes are good, I think exercising is fantastic.” He added, “Any excuse to help motivate people and get out and start moving is good, as long as your body can handle and adapt to it.”
While Johnson says he has heard from other women with similar problems, Skechers issued a statement saying, “Since this lawsuit is brand new, Skechers has not had an opportunity to thoroughly review the plaintiff’s allegations, claims, or medical records. Millions of people wear Shape-ups without experiencing what the plaintiff alleges.”
April 11th, 2011 at 6:54 am
How do I go about joining this class action lawsuit about injury from Skecher Shape Ups?
April 18th, 2011 at 6:39 pm
I fractured and dislocated my ankle 2 months ago while wearing Skecher Shape Ups. How do I join this class action?
April 19th, 2011 at 8:32 am
I would also like information on joining this lawsuit…I have just had knee surgery.
April 27th, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I bought the Sketcher Shape Ups because they were supposed to be good for your posture and toning muscles. I also heard they were good to help your back and knee’s. I had knee surgery almost 3 years ago, so I bought the shoes thinking it would help my knee. Within 2 months of wearing them at work I had to have knee surgery again. Last December was the 2nd surgery. I won’t wear them now because my knee is worse off then it was, I was recently told by my doctor that I had to have surgery again……I can’t afford to take off work until July so thats when I will have it. I will have to spend a night in the hospital this time and to fix my knee they have to break my leg. I won’t wear my Shape Ups now because my knee gives out all the time and if it gives out while wearing them I’m afraid I will fall and get hurt.
April 27th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I also want to join in on the law suit, I believe that the shoes caused more harm to my knee, and caused more surgery and now they have to break my leg to fix my knee.
May 4th, 2011 at 8:32 am
My hips has been hurting since I started wearing these shoes and my back. I just went to Doctor today with my feet and he told me about this lawsuit and said these shoes are very bad for your feet. I would also be interested in joining this lawsuit. Thanks Pam
May 11th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
How do I join the lawsuit? I have a head injury that affects my memory and 2 front teeth that were damaged from the fall?
May 24th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
I would like information on joining this class action lawsuit while wearing
Sketcher Shape Ups,,I have Achilles tendonitis now..its painful..
thank you
July 6th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I bought two pairs a week apart. Thought they were great. Started swelling in my ankle, pain stepping riveting up through leg. Had to limp. Didn’t associate the shoe with it. Went to Doctor. She couldn’t figure out what was causing it. Affected my work, home life. Started walking differently. I quit wearing them about 3 weeks ago. Pain still there, but walking better. It angers me that someone would promote a shoe that causes so much pain. And they aren’t cheap.
July 6th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
i was wearing sketchers shape ups, i have torn tendon in
my right ankle extremely painful, the doctor have me in a boot.
i too would like to know how to join the class action lawsuit.
i can be reached at 302-698-5053.
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:57 pm
I have torn tendons in BOTH knees due to wearing these shoes – how do I join this class action suit???
August 16th, 2011 at 9:28 am
As a healthcare professional, I think it is totally ridiculous the statements that some of these people are making. I have worked in many Emergency Departments and every day people came in with fall injuries way before Sketchers were ever invented. As a matter of fact, falls are so common that in the ED language we would call Sunday afternoon the ACC DFO which means the “After Church Crowd Done Fell Out.” I am so sick of people like this looking for external things to blame than their own stupidity. Get a grip people. Falls happen and it is people like you that have created this disaster in this country with lawsuits. Maybe instead of blaming President Obama for the horrible healthcare and the cost, why don’t you try stopping these lawsuits and stop the schemes of trying to get rich quick. Stop sitting there feeling sorry for yourselves and get the help you need and move on. If you don’t like the product, don’t buy it. We live in a democratic society with more choices than any other country and you still find ways to complain. Move on.
August 22nd, 2011 at 7:58 am
I purchased Skechers Shape-ups last September and in Feburary I started feeling pain in my ankles and when I looked at them, they were swollen. I stopped wearing the Skechers but the pain and swelling continued…I have been to the doctor for pain meds and x-rays….he told me that it is going to take along time to heal because I have tendonitis in both ankles and it is severe. I have to wear a boot on my left foot. I had to stop going to the gym and to this day…I still cant go to the gym and they still swell up but not as bad and I am a nurse and I am on my feet about 9 hours of the day. How do I become part of the class action lawsuit against skechers???
September 6th, 2011 at 11:27 am
I too am suffering from the shape up shoes I had major surgery on my left foot September first how can I go about gettin help finiacially I have been off work since the first of June 2011
September 26th, 2011 at 12:38 pm
On 3-29-2011 I was wearing a new pair of Skechers shape ups, walking on an aggregate surface, both feet slipped out from under me. When I landed my left leg was under me, I severed my left quadracep, had surgery a week later. I am unable to return to my profession (elevator mechanic) and I can only be on my feet for about 3 hours, and can sit at a desk for about 3 hours before my knee starts to ache.
September 27th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Stop complaining, if you wear the shape ups and feel pain then stop wearing them. Plenty of people fail every day wearing all kinds of shoes. Learn how to walk and stop trinpping over things. Just because your body sucks or has issues dont blame it on the shoes. How do you know you wouldn’t have fell wearing Nike or Reebok? I wear shape ups and I dont like them after about 6 months but no way do I think they cause any harm to those who dont have balance problems or any other problems. This is rediculous
October 1st, 2011 at 11:44 am
I own a pair of sketched shape up and have never been able to wear them. They hurt my back. How to I go about is recall thank you
October 17th, 2011 at 11:15 am
i would like to join this lawsuit since wearing mine has caused more problems with my hip replacement that i didnt have before
October 22nd, 2011 at 10:26 am
After wearing Sketchers shape-ups, I started feeling pain around my ankles. Really uncomfortable to wear.
How do I become part of the lawsuit. My husband paid 100.00 for these shoes.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:22 pm
I really want to join this lawsuit I just got done with knee surgery and I have three pairs of these.
November 30th, 2011 at 2:21 am
I own several pairs of Skechers shape ups. I bought two pairs last year and I just recently bought 3 more pairs. I have yet to experience any health conditions wearing the shoes. I think they are great. I use them on my job. We have bad floors and since wearing I started wearing them, I no longer have the foot pain I was having and I don’t get as tired. It is true you have to get used to walking in them. Once i got used to them I had no problem.
I think most of these comments are bogus. I think most of these people already have these conditions and are just looking to be paid.
Just in case somebody is thinking it, I do not work for Skechers.
December 5th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
I would like to join the suit as well. I bought a pair of Sketchers shape-ups, and now i hve a horrible pain under the arch of my foot.
December 13th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
I started wearing them about 9 months ago, they did help my horribly sore feet from walking on concrete all day,but my hips started hurting about 2 months into it and I never connected the shoes to the hip problems. Now it makes me wonder, I start physical therapy. I do really like the shoes as it has saved my feet from pain. Yes they did take some getting use to as I almost fell over a few times and an escalator wow hang on for sure. Anyone who thought they would’nt fall was not being realistic at all.