Full Breakdown
World Champion Sprinter Abby Steiner Sues Puma and Mercedes F1 Over Alleged Defective Shoes
4/29/2026, 10:57:31 PM
The Lawsuit: Claims and Damages
On April 24, Abby Steiner filed a complaint in a Massachusetts court against Puma and Mercedes-Benz, whose Formula 1 team helped design the spikes, alleging that the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2, Elite 3, and evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro shoes were defective. She says the nitrogen-foam midsoles and carbon-fiber plates altered foot mechanics, causing bone-stress injuries, Haglund’s deformity and surgeries. Steiner seeks more than US$1 million in damages; one source cites “more than US$1.25 million” for medical costs, lost earnings and “loss of full enjoyment of life and disfigurement.”
Steiner’s Athletic Background and Sponsorship
Steiner is a four-time NCAA champion and two-time world-champion relay gold medalist, winning 4×100 m and 4×400 m titles at the 2022 World Athletics Championships. She earned three NCAA 200 m titles while competing for the University of Kentucky. She signed a Puma endorsement in July 2022, reported at roughly $2 million. She placed sixth in the 200 m at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, missing the Paris team.
Alleged Product Defects and Injury Timeline
Steiner began using the Puma shoes in September 2022. Foot problems emerged in 2023, leading to at least three surgeries by 2025, including treatment for Haglund’s deformity in both feet. The complaint alleges the carbon-plate and nitro-foam design “changed the foot and ankle mechanics during running,” increasing strain and prompting her to stop competing in August 2025. She subsequently enrolled in a master’s program in exercise science at the University of South Carolina.
Official Statements & Responses
Puma has not commented. Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix declined to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. The filing alleges Puma “knew their products were defective, promoted them as safe, and failed to warn consumers of the risks.”
Criticism & Opposition
The lawsuit accuses Puma and Mercedes of knowingly distributing unsafe footwear and failing to warn about bone-stress injury risks from the carbon-plate and nitro-foam design.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reports differ on damages—some cite “more than $1 million,” others “more than US$1.25 million.” Surgery numbers range from “at least three” to “multiple.” Injury onset is reported as September 2022 in one account and 2023 in another. No trial date is set and Puma’s response remains pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “severe and permanent injuries,” — Abby Steiner, sprinter
- “Though Steiner first sustained foot injuries years before suing Puma, she says she “only recently” discovered Puma shoes were to blame for them through their technology—which “changed the foot and ankle mechanics during running” that could increase injury risk and cause strain on runners’ feet.” — Abby Steiner, sprinter
- “nothing to comment re ongoing legal proceedings.” — Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix spokesperson
What’s Next
The defendants must file a response by August 24. No court-set trial date has been announced, leaving the resolution of the claims and potential impact on athletic footwear design pending.
