An Olympian in Rhode Island is Suing a Major Shoe Company in Federal Court

An Olympian in Rhode Island is Suing a Major Shoe Company in Federal Court

A two-time Olympic athlete and coach at Brown University is suing New Balance in federal court — after she said a malfunction of running shoes provided to her by the company resulted in a “career-ending” injury. 

Khamica Bingham sued the Massachusetts-based company this week, saying after taking part in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics, she was gearing up for the 2024 games in Paris when she suffered “a severe injury to her Achilles tendon.” 

Bingham, who boasts over 36,000 followers on Instagram. She joined Brown University as a volunteer assistant coach in 2022 and was named the program's operations coordinator for track and field/cross country in 2023.

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Now, she is suing New Balance on six counts - liability, negligence, breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, and loss of consortium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Khamica Forbes (@khamicabingham)

 

Allegations in Suit

According to Bingham, who is represented by attorney Anthony Gianfrancesco, she was training for the 2024 Canadian trials and the 2024 Olympics in North Carolina and using a shoe provided by New Balance. 

“At all times relevant, Bingham was sponsored by Defendant New Balance, who supplied her with athletic gear, including the sprinting shoes involved in this incident,” according to the lawsuit. 

The suit includes allegations of breach of contract, negligence, and breach of warranty, among other claims against New Balance.

Her injury reportedly occurred on March 27, 2024. 

“Just as Bingham began sprinting, the shoe suddenly cracked and failed, causing her to suffer a severe injury to her Achilles tendon,” states the suit. “As a direct result of the shoe failure, Bingham sustained a career-ending injury that has prevented her from participating in the 2024 Olympic Games and caused her significant pain, suffering, loss of earnings, permanent injury, and loss of enjoyment of life.”

“New Balance owed a duty of care to Bingham to design, manufacture, and provide a safe sprinting shoe,” the lawsuit alleges. “The shoe was not of merchantable quality and was not fit for its intended use, resulting in Plaintiff Bingham's injuries.”

Bingham’s husband, Damar Forbes, is also a plaintiff in the lawsuit. 

“As a result of the injuries sustained by Bingham due to [New Balance’s] actions and negligence, Forbes has suffered and continues to suffer loss of consortium, companionship, society, affection, assistance, and support from his spouse,” according to the lawsuit. 

New Balance did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.