Skechers Lawsuit News: Special Settlement Master Appointed in Federal Skechers Lawsuits, Wright & Schulte LLC Reports
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) October 27, 2013 -- Hundreds of Skechers lawsuits pending in the U.S District Court, Western District of Kentucky, reached an important milestone this month, Wright & Schulte LLC reports. According to an Order dated October 17, 2013, the parties have consented to the appointment of a Special Settlement Master to act as a mediator in any Skechers lawsuit settlement negotiations that may occur. As such, the Court has tapped Francis McGovern to act in that capacity, and directed him to take the necessary steps to promote Skechers Shape-Ups settlement discussions. (In Re: Skechers Toning Shoes Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2308)
According to court documents, more than 500 Skechers lawsuits are currently pending in the multidistrict litigation underway in the Western District of Kentucky. Wright & Schulte LLC is representing scores of plaintiffs who have filed Skechers Shape-Ups lawsuits in the proceeding, where firm partner, Richard W. Schulte, is serving on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee. All of the claims pending in the litigation allege that the use of Skechers Shape-Ups can result in serious injuries including stress fractures, joint injuries, tendon and ligament injuries, and acute injuries from falling.
In addition to the Skechers toning shoe lawsuits pending in Kentucky federal court, scores of additional claims that involve similar allegations have also been filed in a consolidated litigation underway in California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. Mr. Schulte is also serving on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in that proceeding. (Bartek et al v Skechers BC476903)
According to Skechers lawsuits, the manufacturer of Skechers Shape-Ups marketed the toning shoes by touting their purported ability to enable a user to “Shape Up While You Walk,” and “Get in Shape without Setting Foot in a Gym.” However, a study conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) in 2010 raised serious questions about the efficacy and safety of toning shoes like Skechers Shape-Ups. By 2011, Consumer Reports had revealed that Skechers Shape-Ups and similar shoes had been the subject of more injury complaints than any other product in its database.
[acefitness.org/getfit/studies/toningshoes072010.pdf, ACE, August 2010]
[consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/05/are-toning-shoes-unsafe-reports-of-injuries-raise-concern/index.htm, Consumer Reports, May 2011]
In May 2012, the manufacturer of Skechers Shape-Ups agreed to pay $40 million to settle charges with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that it had made unfounded claims that Shape-Ups would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles. While the settlement provided consumers with refunds for the purchase of their shoes, it did not include compensation for any personal injuries allegedly caused by Skechers Shape-Ups.
[ftc.gov/opa/2012/05/consumerrefund.shtm, FTC, May 16, 2012 ]
Wright & Schulte LLC continues to offer free Skechers injury lawsuit consultations to anyone who suffered a serious injury while using Skechers Shape-Ups, including broken ankles, hip and wrist fractures, tendon and ligament damage, and head and spinal cord injuries. For more information on filing a Skechers Shape-Ups injury lawsuit, or to arrange for a free legal consultation, please visit yourlegalhelp.com, or call 1-800-399-0795.
About Wright & Schulte LLC
Wright & Schulte LLC, an experienced personal injury firm, is dedicated to the belief that America’s legal system should work for the people. Every day, the attorneys of Wright & Schulte LLC stand up for the rights of people who have been injured or wronged by defective drugs and their side effects, complications from defective medical devices, and unsafe consumer products, and fight tirelessly to ensure that even the world’s most powerful corporations take responsibility for their actions. If you’re looking for a law firm that will guarantee the aggressive and personal representation you deserve, please do not hesitate to contact Wright & Schulte LLC today. Free case evaluations are available through yourlegalhelp.com, or call 1-800-399-0795.
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Contact:
Wright & Schulte LLC
812 East National Road
Vandalia, Ohio 45377
1-800-399-0795
http://yourlegalhelp.com/
Richard Schulte, Wright & Schulte LLC, http://www.yourlegalhelp.com, +1 1-800-399-0795, [email protected]
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