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FTC Investigation Leads to Skechers “Shape-Ups” Class Action Lawsuit
By Sarah Pierce
The Skechers Shape-Ups class action lawsuit is seeking money damages for consumers who paid a “premium price” for Skechers Shape-Ups based on TV, print and online ads that touted the toning shoes’ health benefits. It is also seeking a court order banning Skechers from continuing its “deceptive and unlawful advertising.”
Skechers is currently being investigated for its toning shoes marketing claims by the Federal Trade Commission, the class action lawsuit says. In September, the FTC reached a $25 million class action settlement with Reebok for making similar health claims about its Reebok Easytone toning shoes. If Sketchers is found guilty of the same false advertising claims, it could face a fine as high as $75 million.
The Skechers Shape-Ups class action lawsuit takes aim at advertising claims that wearing Skechers Shape-Ups would provide health benefits “without setting foot in a gym.” However, the company has produced no valid scientific evidence backing up these claims, or that its toning shoes provide any greater benefit than regular athletic shoes, the lawsuit says.
The class action lawsuit cites an American Council on Exercise study that concluded, “There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone.”
In addition to the false advertising claims, the class action lawsuit also alleges that Skechers Shape-Ups can actually pose health risks. It claims the toning shoes can trigger chronic injuries such as tendinitis and foot, leg and hip pain, and may cause wearers to fall and suffer injuries because the rocker bottom soles create instability and change the wearer’s gait.
“If you’ve bought a pair of Skechers Shape-Ups shoes for the health benefits, you’ve been misled. You deserve not only to get mad, but to get your money back,” said one of the attorneys representing the Plaintiffs. “Skechers needs to be held accountable, and consumers need a refund.”
The Skechers Shape-Ups Class Action Lawsuit case is Boatright v. Skechers, U.S.A., Inc., Case No. 12-cv-00087-CRS, U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky.
Updated March 5, 2012
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9 thoughts onFTC Investigation Leads to Skechers “Shape-Ups” Class Action Lawsuit
if you didnt get a check you should call 619-338-1102 you will talk to a live person
I purchased 1pair had to stop wearing then they have caused me so much pain in both feet and ankle i know i have suffered a fracture in my feet i would not buy again
Are you sure it is because of the shoes? I’ve had a pair for over 3 years and I never had any problems. Just keeping it real…
i have purchased one pair of skechers shape ups and they have caused significant insole and calf pain. had to stop wearing them.
Just when will this come to an end so we know when we will receive our settlement?
I have purchased shape-ups, tone-ups both for walking and for working and casual wear. A total of 5 pairs purchased for my everyday activities. My insteps on both feet are always bruised and my ankles are weakened and painful because of consistant ankle twisting when walking over uneven surfaces.
i suffered a stress fracture in my foot from wearing shape ups
I bought 2 pairs of sketchers shape ups in Jan. 2010. What kind of documentation is needed for the lawsuit?
It’s 2012, 4 weeks ago I broke my ankle, while I was wearing Sketchers sneakers.