A two-time world sprint champion has taken legal action against her own shoe sponsor, arguing that the very equipment designed to support her rise instead caused her injuries that hampered and possibly ended her career. Abby Steiner, a key member of the U.S. relay team that won gold in the 4x100m and 4x400m at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts alleging that Puma provided shoes that were “defective” and unsafe, leading to a series of chronic foot and ankle problems.
From breakout stars to long-term injury concerns
The timeline of Steiner’s rise and subsequent struggles forms a central part of the case, starting in June 2022, when she announced herself as one of the world’s fastest women by winning the 200 meters in 21.77 seconds at the U.S. national championships. Prior to this breakthrough, she had a stellar college career at the University of Kentucky, where she won four NCAA championships. A month later, she turned pro and signed with Puma in a deal widely reported to be worth about $2 million, one of the most significant recognitions for a female sprinter coming out of the college system. Within weeks, she had added global success to her resume, winning two world championship gold medals as a member of the U.S. relay team. The trajectory of her life took a turn in 2023, when she began suffering from persistent injuries to her feet. Over the next two years, these problems escalated into a series of medical interventions. Steiner has developed chronic problems with his foot and ankle, including Haglund’s deformity, a bone growth on the back of his right heel that will require surgery in 2023. She also suffered a partial tear in her Achilles tendon and ultimately underwent at least three surgeries between 2023 and 2025.
What the lawsuit alleges about the shoes
In a complaint filed April 24 in Massachusetts Superior Court, Steiner claims that specific Puma models, including the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 and 3 and evoSPEED Tokyo Nitro, directly caused these injuries. Front desk sports. The lawsuit also names Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, which collaborated on design elements of the cleats. At the heart of that statement are technologies that have been used in elite running shoes for the past decade. Steiner believes the combination of carbon fiber plates and nitrogen-based foam, designed to increase energy return and speed, changed the natural mechanics of her feet and ankles when she runs. According to the documents, these changes increased the stress on her lower extremities and increased the risk of injury over time. She further claims that Puma was aware of potential flaws in the design but continued to market the shoes as safe and suitable for elite competition and failed to properly inspect them. A key element in the case is time. Steiner said that while her injury began years ago, she was not sure shoes were the cause “until recently,” arguing that the way shoes alter running mechanics made it difficult to identify the source of the problem at the time.
Competition Impact and Finals
The actual losses described in the lawsuit are matched by a clear loss of competitiveness. In preparation for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, Steiner withdrew from several preparatory events because she was unable to complete basic training, including walking and jogging drills, without pain. When she entered the trials, she finished sixth in the 200 meters and missed out on the Olympic team. That fight is now her latest appearance at an elite level. In August 2025, she publicly announced her retirement from the sport, describing it as a decision to focus on recovery and pursue a master’s degree in exercise science. The lawsuit further states that she can no longer compete at the professional or Olympic level.
what steiner is seeking
Steiner is seeking economic and non-economic damages from Puma. The claim includes compensation for medical expenses related to her surgeries and treatments, as well as loss of potential earnings in her fast-growing career. It also seeks damages for “loss of full enjoyment of life and disfigurement” described in the documents, reflecting the long-term physical consequences of her injuries.
