A two-time world champion sprinter has taken legal action against her own shoe sponsor, arguing that a device designed to support her elevation contributed to injuries that stunted, and possibly ended, her career. Abby Steiner, a key part of the United States relay teams that won gold medals in both the 4×100 meters and 4×400 meters at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, has filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts, alleging that Puma supplied “defective” and unsafe shoes that caused a series of chronic foot and ankle problems.
From breakout star to long-term injury concerns
The timeline of Steiner’s rise and subsequent struggles is a central part of the case, beginning in June 2022 when she declared herself one of the fastest women in the world by winning the 200 meters in 21.77 seconds at the US National Championships. This success followed a standout collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, where she became a four-time NCAA champion. A month later, she turned professional and signed a deal with Puma, widely reported to be worth around $2 million, one of the most significant endorsements for a female runner coming out of the college system. In a matter of weeks, he added global success to his resume by earning two World Championship gold medals as part of U.S. relay teams. His trajectory changed in 2023, when he began experiencing persistent foot injuries. Over the next two years, those issues turned into a series of medical interventions. Steiner developed chronic problems with his foot and ankle, including Haglund’s deformity, a growth of the bone behind the heel in his right foot, which required surgery in 2023. He also suffered a partial tear of his Achilles tendon and ultimately had to undergo at least three surgical procedures between 2023 and 2025.
What is alleged in the lawsuit about the shoes?
In a complaint filed April 24 in Massachusetts Superior Court, Steiner claims that specific Puma models, including the Deviant Nitro Elite 2 and 3 and the EvoSpeed Tokyo Nitro, directly contributed to those injuries, according to Front Office Sports. The lawsuit also names Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, which collaborated on elements of the spike design. At the heart of the claim is technology used in specific running footwear over the past decade. Steiner argues that the inclusion of carbon fiber plates and nitrogen-based foam designed to improve energy return and speed altered the natural mechanics of his foot and ankle during running. According to the filing, those changes increased stress on her lower limbs and increased her risk of injury over time. They further alleged that Puma was aware of potential defects in the design, yet continued to market the shoes as safe and suitable for specific competition, and failed to properly inspect them. A key element of the matter is time. Steiner says that although his injuries began years ago, he “recently” identified the shoes as the cause, arguing that the way the shoes modified running mechanics made it difficult to identify the source of the problem at the time.
Competitive impact and final race
The physical toll described in the lawsuit matches the apparent competitive decline. In preparation for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, Steiner withdrew from several preliminary races because she was unable to complete basic training sessions, including walking and jogging exercises, without pain. When she competed at the trials, she finished sixth in the 200 m and missed qualification for the Olympic team. That race now stands as his most recent competitive appearance at the elite level. In August 2025, she publicly announced that she would step away from the sport, citing this as a decision to focus on recovery and pursue a master’s degree in exercise science. The lawsuit goes further, stating that he is no longer able to compete at the professional or Olympic level.
what steiner wants
Steiner is seeking both financial and non-financial damages from Puma. The claim includes compensation for the medical expenses associated with her surgery and treatment, as well as the loss of potential earnings from her rapidly growing professional career. It also seeks damages for what the filing describes as “loss and impairment of the full enjoyment of life,” noting long-term physical consequences attributed to the injuries.