April 28 (UPI) -- World champion sprinter Abby Steiner sued Puma and the Mercedes-Benz F1 team, claiming "defective" shoes led to permanent, career-ending injuries, court documents show.
Steiner filed the lawsuit Friday in the Middlesex County (Mass.) Superior Court.
She said the shoes led to severe foot injuries, resulting in five surgeries to date and "forced retirement" as an elite athlete. Steiner seeks more than $1.25 million, including hospital expenses and documented lost wages, and demanded a jury trial.
Neither Steiner's lawyers nor multiple representatives for Puma and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd., which also was involved in the design of the shoes, responded to requests for comment.
Puma signed Steiner to an endorsement deal in 2022. Steiner, 26, was part of two world championship winning teams that year -- with victories in the 4x100- and 4x400-meter relays. The former Kentucky star set national indoor track records with a 22.09 in the 200M in 2022 and a 35.54 in the 300M in 2023.
