A world champion sprinter has launched a bombshell lawsuit against Puma after claiming that their 'defective' shoes led to her career-ending injuries.
Lawsuit Alleges Unsafe Shoe Design
In the lawsuit, four-time NCAA champion and two-time world champion Abby Steiner claims that the trainers and spikes provided by Puma - and the Mercedes F1 team - were 'unsafe' and increased the risk of injuries through their design. Her complaint, which was filed in Middlesex County Superior Court in Massachusetts on April 24, alleges the products 'seriously injured' her, specifically those with the carbon fiber plate (CFP) and/or nitrofoam technology (NF).
According to the complaint, the defendants were allegedly aware that the products with 'CFP and/or NF technology altered the biomechanics of runners' and 'caused bone stress injuries'.
Mercedes F1 Team Named in Suit
The Mercedes Formula 1 team were named in the lawsuit due to the fact they played a role in the design process for the shoes and spikes provided to Puma's athletes. Her filing further claims that Mercedes and Puma were 'involved in and had control over the design, development, testing, manufacture, marketing, promotion, advertisement, sale, importation and distribution of a variety of PUMA footwear'.
The complaint claims that the defendants 'represented, warranted, advertised, promoted and marketed' the products, despite the alleged defects.
Career-Ending Injuries
Steiner, who last competed at the US Olympic Trials in 2024, asserted that she can no longer compete at professional and Olympic levels due to Puma's products. Now, she is seeking financial and nonfinancial compensation from Puma - including medical expenses and the losses of potential earnings from her career.
The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 and 3, as well as the evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro shoes, were listed as shoes that injured her in the complaint.
Steiner's Career and Injuries
Steiner, 26, signed with Puma in July 2022 in a deal worth a reported $2 million, after emerging from the college ranks as a promising track and field star. She quickly became a member of the US teams that swept the 4x100m and 4x400m at the World Championships that summer, before slowly developing foot injuries.
Between 2023 and 2025, it's understood that Steiner underwent at least three procedures to help overcome her issues. Her biggest blow came in the lead-up to the 2024 US Olympic trials, where the Ohio native had to pull out of several tune-up competitions.
She posted about her injury struggles at the time on her Instagram, writing: 'I was often limping around before & after my practices and getting through on sheer willpower to fulfill a lifelong dream.'
Steiner is the US indoor record holder in the 200m and 300m. She is also the NCAA record holder in the 200m.
Legal Status
As of April 28, none of the named defendants have filed a response or attorney appearance with the court. According to the court's website, a response is due by August 24. The Daily Mail has reached out to Puma and Mercedes for comment.
