In the last few years, toning and shaping sneakers have burst on the scene. The idea behind them is that they will help tone and firm the bodies of those who wear them. Unfortunately, for some people who wear the shoes, instead of becoming for fit, they are instead reporting sustaining a variety of injuries after falling while wearing the shoes.

A lawsuit was filed against a company marketing one of the most popular brands of these shoes, Sketchers Shape-ups, earlier this year. Now it appears second lawsuit is pending. The attorney planning on filing the lawsuit claims that the design is defective and that proper warnings were not attached to the product resulting in injury to his clients.

Specifically, he said the falls are caused when a person's ankle rolls while wearing the shoe due to the shoe's instability. The injuries his clients have sustained include muscle tears and broken bones. In addition to damages, he is also seeking to remove the product from the market.

Sketchers has issued a written statement wherein among other things, it claims the technology behind the shoe has been in existence for three decades. The statement goes on to say that it is the instability wearers of the shoe experience that actually causes the toning of muscles that are otherwise not routinely used. Included with each pair of shoes are instructions, including a video, that are designed to provide an explanation on how to correctly use them.

There are multiple companies in addition to Sketchers currently selling shoes designed with a rocker. Accordingly, there may be more of these lawsuits coming. We will continue to monitor the claims and post as more information becomes available.

Source

ABC2news.com: "Some claim shaping sneakers cause injuries," Joce Sterman, July 27, 2011