Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
This settlement is closed!
Please see what other class action settlements you might qualify to claim cash from in our Open Settlements directory!
Vibram USA Inc. has agreed to settle three class action lawsuits alleging the company falsely advertised certain benefits associated with its FiveFingers running shoes. If you purchased certain models of Vibram FiveFingers footwear in the United States between March 21, 2008 and May 27, 2014, you could be entitled to benefits from the Vibram class action settlement.
The FiveFingers class action lawsuits allege that Vibram violated certain state laws and consumer protection statutes in connection with the marketing and sale of its FiveFingers footwear. The plaintiffs allege that Vibram misrepresented the benefits of wearing FiveFingers footwear, and that the FiveFingers footwear did not provide the benefits advertised. According to the class action lawsuits, Vibram falsely advertised the FiveFingers footwear as having the ability to improve posture, reduce the risk of injury and strengthen muscles. The plaintiffs allege that the running shoes may actually be more risky than running barefoot and can increase runners’ risk of injury because the shoes change the way they run.
Vibram denies all wrongdoing but has agreed to settle the FiveFingers class action lawsuits to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation.
Who’s Eligible
Class Members of the Vibram FiveFingers settlement include consumers who bought eligible FiveFingers footwear in the United States from March 21, 2008 up to and including May 27, 2014. Class Members who purchased any of the following FiveFingers footwear during this time period may be eligible for benefits under the Vibram class action settlement:
- Alitza
- Bikila
- Bikila EVO
- Bikila EVO WP
- Bikila LS
- Classic
- Classic Smartwool
- EL-X
- Estrada
- Flow
- Fresca
- Jaya
- Komodo Sport
- Komodo Sport LS
- KMD Sport
- KMD Sport LS
- KSO
- KSO EVO
- KSO Trek
- Lontra
- SeeYa
- SeeYa LS
- SeeYa LS Night
- Signa
- Speed
- Speed XC
- Sprint
- Spyridon
- Spyridon LS
- Spyridon MR
- Trek LS
- TrekSport
- TrekSport Sandal
- V-On
- Vybrid Sneak
Potential Award
Class Members are expected to receive $20-$50 per pair of FiveFingers footwear purchased.
Under the terms of the FiveFingers class action settlement, Vibram has agreed to create a settlement fund of $3.75 million. The relief to be provided to eligible Class Members for each pair of FiveFingers footwear purchased shall be paid on a pro rata basis, depending on how many claims are submitted. It is estimated that Class Members will receive a payment in the range of $20-$50 per pair, but that amount could increase up to a maximum of $94 depending on the number of claims submitted.
Proof of Purchase
No proof of purchase is required for Class Members who submit a claim for two pairs of eligible FiveFingers footwear or less. Class Members submitting claims for more than two pairs of eligible Five Fingers footwear must include proof of purchase for any additional pairs.
Claim Form Deadline
9/24/2014
Case Name
Valerie Bezdek v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-10513-DPW, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts; De Falco v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., Case No. 1:13-cv-10764-DPW, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts; and Safavi v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., Case No. 12-5900-BRO-JCG, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Final Hearing
10/29/2014
Settlement Website
Claims Administrator
Vibram FiveFingers Class Action
Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 449
Philadelphia, PA 19105-0449
1-844-491-5740
Class Counsel
Janine Pollack
WOLF HALDENSTEIN ADLER FREEMAN & HERZ LLP
Defense Counsel
Christopher Morrison
JONES DAY
UPDATE: The Final Fairness Hearing for the Vibram FiveFingers settlement was held on Oct. 29, 2014 and the plaintiffs have asked the judge to grant final approval to the deal. On Nov. 19, 2014, an objection was filed with the court and may delay the final approval of the class action settlement. The objector argues that the FiveFingers settlement is unfair to Class Members because they would receive benefits that are of substantially less value than was estimated in the notice.
UPDATE 2: On Dec. 31, 2015, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Vibram FiveFingers class action settlement, finding that the payout to Class Members is fair even if they will receive a far smaller refund than was estimated in the Class Notice.
UPDATE 3: As of June 14, 2016, the Settlement Administrator toll free number has been updated with the following information: ” Settlement checks are in the process of being mailed to approved claimants. Please be patient as it can take time for the checks to be delivered. If you have not received your check by June 22nd, please use the Contact page of the website to let us know.” Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more. Keep checking back and let us know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.
UPDATE 4: On June 15, 2016, Top Class Actions readers who submitted timely and valid claims for the Vibram FiveFingers settlement began receiving checks worth as much as $20.21!
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
152 thoughts onVibram FiveFingers Running Shoes Class Action Settlement
has one got there check yet ?
So Oct. 29th has come and gone. When do these things typically pay out? And how will claimants know? Do you typically get notified, or does the money just show up in your account one day?
They will usually drag it out a few more months before you see anything. Because the claim deadline was at the end of September it will usually take them a few months to confirm all the claims. If there aren’t any objections i would think we might see money in Dec/Jan. They don’t notify you, a check will just show up in the mail one day. Your best place for information is on here to be honest. The site will update and say when checks have gone out and people will start saying when they are receiving checks.
Yesterday the 24th was the last ay to submit a claim. Lets wait and see how long this takes form what I understand this guy doesn’t want a lengthy trial just wants to pay the funds to the class members
You continue to amaze me Jennell…thats why your the best on here. People might rip you on here for no reason. But you contribute and we should have dinner sometime!!!
You’re
I had a similar issue…I had problems submitting the online claim form. I kept getting the same error message telling me to complete all fields with the asterisk, and all fields were completed as far as I could tell…even the box under Section IV was checked. I deleted some information then filled it back in, and I started getting an error message telling me to enter an valid email address. I decided to exit the claim form after I realized I wasnt getting anywhere. When I re-entered the site to complete the online claim form, it was accepted with no problem at all!
I did purchase a few pair and I did wear them but they made me look goofy and morbidly obese.
I have purchased many of these products and am legally able to join the claims. But when I see websites like this being bombarded with people who just want to file fake claims, it discourages me. I know I won’t receive a fair share of the claim. Pretty soon all these claims will be worth just pennies with all the false ones being included. It’s not worth the effort. All they do is make the lawyers rich. I did purchase a pair of these shoes. I’m debating on whether it will be worth my time join the suit.
blah blah
I agree. I bought these after being told they’d be better for my knees. I also bought a pair for my children. They are not cheap to buy and its a bummer to see people taking advantage of these claims.
We all know that 97% of the people who file claims never bought any of these products…
I have purchased three pairs of these shoes. The site is broken and won’t allow me to submit my claim. I sent an email stating such and no response.
The claim form will not submit. It keeps saying all flilds need to be filled out and they are.
The online submition isn’t working. It states all fields with an “*” need to be filled out, and they are all completed. anyone else having a similar issue?
Hi,
Between my husband and I, we both own 12 pairs of the Vibram Five Fingers. I managed to find a receipt for purchase of 5 pairs. Since we both can claim 2 pairs each without purchase of proof, we can claim a total of 9 pairs. The thing is we both live in Malaysia. Please advise how can we go about with our claims?
Thanks for your help.
Jackie
sounds like with 12 pairs you like the shoes! why apply for a refund? Greedy much?
LOL, Dave, did you ever own a pair or just filing a claim or three?
“dave” makes several comments on several “claims”. Hmmm.
Don don’tt has much to do since he spended his welfare money and paided his Sektion 8 housing for the month. You all brung my people ovber on boats as slaves and we deserve this since we has a half white president.
Why you hating on each other? You ought to take a spelling lesson. Why you got to be so racist and judgmental? Who made you judge and jury or even asked for your opinion? They say opinions are just like assholes everyone has one.
Dave, we did love the VFF very much. Back when it was first launched, we could not buy them in our part of the world. When they finally did come to Asia, they were and still very expensive. For that reason when we visited the USA few years back, we bought many pairs. It has been more than a year now, my husband has not used the VFF anymore as they have caused him injuries in his right knee and his left ankle. I do not use the VFF as much as before as my left knee is feeling the pain too. It is a pity, because our VFF are still in pretty good shape. We did spend a lot of money for so many pairs and the claims may or may not come through. Greedy much? I don’t think so.
Don’t Give A Reason For Buying and Getting In On The Settlement.. It Is NONE Of Dave’s Business For Ur Actions…There Is A Lawsuit Ur Entitled To it, So Don’t Explain Ur Actions To NO One..:)
it does matter Debbie they take them back and sell them for 10 times the money and it is us law suit that’s why we live here and 5 will be all you get money for you cant both use the same receite and you cant claim 5+ 2 don’t work that way