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UPDATE 5/13/14: The settlement administrator website (http://www.
UPDATE 5/29/14: Claim Forms for the Vibram class action settlement are now available! Click here for detailed instructions on how to file a claim.
UPDATE 11/20/14: 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 12/31/15: 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.
Vibram USA Inc. has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the company of falsely advertising the health benefits of its FiveFingers footwear.
In March 2012, plaintiff Valerie Bezdek filed the class action lawsuit in Massachusetts federal court, seeking to represent a class of individuals in the United States who have purchased FiveFingers running shoes since March 21, 2009. Bezdek alleged that Vibram made misleading claims about the health benefits of the FiveFingers footwear, which are designed to mimic the experience of running barefoot.
According to Bezdek’s FiveFingers shoes class action lawsuit, Vibram claimed that the shoes improve posture, reduce the risk of injury and strengthen muscles. However, she says that the shoes may actually be more risky than running barefoot and may actually increase runners’ risk of injury because the shoes change the way they run. The class action lawsuit alleges that Vibram misrepresented research related to barefoot running.
A second Vibram FiveFingers class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court in July 2012 by plaintiff Ali Safavi. This class action lawsuit has been stayed pending a ruling on class certification in the Bezdek action.
Under the terms of the proposed Vibram class action settlement, Class Members who submit valid and completed Claim Forms will be eligible for refunds, up to a maximum of $94 per pair of shoes purchased. However, because the settlement will be paid on a pro rata basis, it is expected that Class Members who submit timely and valid Claim Forms will receive a refund in the range of $20 to $50 per pair. Any money that remains after all claims have been distributed will be donated to the American Heart Association to use for research about the health benefits of running.
Vibram has also agreed to discontinue certain aspects of its advertising and marketing campaign. Specifically, the company says it will no longer make claims that the FiveFingers shoes are effective at strengthening muscles or preventing injury unless those claims are supported by reliable scientific evidence. Under the terms of the class action settlement, Vibram will also refrain from making any other claims about the health benefits of the FiveFingers footwear unless they are supported by competent and reliable scientific evidence.
Vibram has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the FiveFingers class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of trial.
The class is represented by Janine L. Pollack of Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP; Glen DeValerio and Nathaniel L. Orenstein of Berman DeValerio; Timothy G. Blood and Thomas J. O’Reardon of Blood Hurst O’Reardon LLP; James C. Shah of Shepherd Finkelman Miller & Shah LLP; Michael K. Beck of Gary Roberts & Associates PA; Jayne A. Goldstein of Pomerantz LLP; Joshua E. Keller of Milberg LLP; Tony W. Breeden of The Breeden Law Firm; William M. Sweetman of Sweetnam LLC; and Patrick J. Sheehan of Whatley Kallas LLC.
The Vibram FiveFingers Running Shoes Class Action Lawsuit is Bezdek v. Vibram USA Inc., et al., Case No. 1:12-cv-01513, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
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66 thoughts onVibram Settles FiveFingers Running Shoes Class Action Lawsuit
The website is not operational yet, but here is the link: http://www.fivefingerssettlement.com/
Personally I love my vibrams, I have 4 different pairs and I have now run two half marathons in them. They are the only shoe I experienced no knee and lower back pain in whole running or after running. I would not recommend them for someone with a high arch, but I have flat feet and had bunion surgery two years ago and mine have been wonderful. They are the only shoes I was able to cover 5+ miles in.
You have to be a smuck to buy these.A sucker is born every day !
And you say this because???? You’ve tried them? You think they look foolish? I have two pairs and they are among the most comfortable shoes I own. Note that nothing in the lawsuit ever said that these shoes cause any harm… instead, they argued that Virbram did not have scientific proof of the claims they made. That is very different.
Skechers suffered the same class action on their fitness shoes. They caused no harm but they did not deliver the physically benefits claimed.
What’s a smuck? You Waldo are a shmuck!
How can I claim Vibram shoes settlement? there is no form
ur the r tard for even thinking its ok to call people r tards
I have 2 pair, 1 I run in, the other I use on the beach, kayaking, or wade fishing. These shoes are awesome and did allow me to run through a knee issue. The problem was my running form, which I had to change to run in these shoes. Not miracle workers, but a good shoe. Needless to say, I will not be participating in any claim. The culture of walking through life with our hands out is getting ridiculous!
I have two pairs also and love them. My initial thought was that I wouldn’t participate in the claim, but it appears that Vibram must pay the specified amount regardless of how many people make a claim. Thus, I think I’ll make a claim and use the money to buy more Five Fingers!
Keep in mind that these class action suits are often put together by lawyers, not injured consumers. Also, this was a “false” advertising claim, but the court doesn’t determine whether the advertising is “false”, they look at whether the claim is necessarily “true”. Thus, lacking scientific evidence of the truth of the claims, Vibrams would lose the suit.
This could get interesting. Vibram started the trend in minimalist running shoes. Nike, New Balance, Merrill and others are now producing shoes based on the same concept. Will they be included in the lawsuit?
Probably not. Merrell never made any such claims, as far as I know.
I have 5 of these. Definitely will be keeping glued to the newsletters looking for the case to be opened and settled in Mass.
Hey everyone—since it’s 2009 to present—-buy a pair right now on Vibram.com, and you will be refunded/compensated for it shortly!
FREE SHOES!
Good lord. You solely represent everything wrong with the United States. How pathetic… gotta get that quick buck. Seriously, have some personal integrity.
I own these and love them. I didn’t purchase them to somehow magically fix, cure, or change reality. They’re fantastic for everything. I’m not a runner, nor do I assume that I will miraculously become one. I just happen to agree with the logic that traditional shoes provide no actual support for core-balance and strengthening. I have 2 pairs that I’ve worn now for well over 5 years, and am nothing but satisfied.
If you’re unable to do your own research on someone’s “claim” before making the decision to spend your money– then you clearly don’t work hard enough for your money and deserve to have it wasted.
Damn skippy your going to file a claim for cash unreal? That must be we’re the name comes from. Hella funny though
It seems like they’re going to refund less than the shoes are worth, so let him be stupid and buy them thinking they’re free….
I have a friend who ran several 5Ks in these and I wear them around walking my dogs and stuff. I haven’t had any problems with them, make my calves tight but that’s just building muscle.
im in like with you
I couldn’t have said it better myself! These people are like vultures chanting “where can I file” when they probably don’t even have the shoes or if they do, they had no problems before they found out about this lawsuit. Answer me this: Why didn’t you just return the shoes?
Money Hungry People. Get a life! And a job.
If you buy them after the fact, you will not get a refund. Its part of the settlement agreement, cut off for purchase was at the end of the marketing campaign. Having said that they are great shoes, just expensive. I would recommend people to buy them that do a lot of yard work they are amazing. I think they should refund a partial amount, but not the full amount unless you are going to return the product. Anyone that owns a pairs knows that they feel great on your feet, they are so light and airy.
I wish I could put my five fingered shoe on and just point the middle one up.
Where do you file a claim there is no claim form to fill out?
If you bought these silly shoes you don’t deserve a refund. Let’s call it a “stupid tax”. Same thing goes for owners of Sketchers Shape Ups. If you think you can strengthen and tone legs by changing your type of shoe, then you my friend are not very bright.
What happened, buddy? Are you upset because you couldn’t get off the couch?
bought these shoes for powerlifting – low to the ground, far better than cramming my feet into poorly designed narrow shoes which don’t follow the contour of any known human foot, and almost as comfortable as actually being barefoot. What Vibram said is that these shoes can help you learn to run correctly, instead of slamming heel first onto the ground. Judging by your misspelling of the well known brand Skechers (notice the lack of a “t”), I assume your shoes all come with Velcro in place of shoelaces, or perhaps they are of the sli-on variety.